The beagle is undoubtedly an energetic breed and loves staying outdoors, but does not have the built-in protection to keep them safe and happy outside for long periods of time, especially overnight in cold weather.
While they do have a double coat, beagles have short hair that cannot protect them from harsh weather conditions. Their short coat does very little to regulate their body temperature. Even spending a small amount of time in severe cold weather can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and weaken the immune system of your beagle. Hot weather is also a significant concern for beagles, as they are very susceptible to heat strokes.
Outside of weather concerns, it can be dangerous to leave your beagle alone outside as they are ruled by their noses, which makes them more prone to try and run away. Beagles were bred as hunting hounds and have an excellent history of spending long hours outside chasing down small animals and even sleeping outside. But in those days they would sleep outside in a pack of almost 20 dogs, cuddled together, and kept each other warm. Sleeping alone outside can be bad on their mental health, because beagles are social dogs who require a decent amount of attention.
Time alone makes them more prone to separation anxiety, so if you leave your beagle alone outside all day and night, they may start feeling lonely, which in turn can affect their overall health. When left alone, beagles can start acting out in weird ways. They start digging, howling, growling, scratching, and chewing on everything that they can lay their paws on.
Beagles love being outside, but for these reasons they should not live or sleep outside for long amounts of time, especially in extreme temperatures.
What Dog Breeds Can Sleep Outside?
There are several breeds of dogs that are best suited for living indoors, and there are some others that can much better handle outdoors in all kinds of weather. Large furry breeds can withstand extreme cold weather a bit better than the short-haired breeds, and therefore can sleep outside more safely.
Breeds with thin and small bodies like greyhounds, chihuahuas, and even beagles are also not suited to cold weather. However, as a rule of thumb, it is always best to make your dog sleep inside when it gets too cold or hot, even if the breed can withstand the outdoors. Following is a list of some of the best outdoor dog breeds that can sleep outside.
1. Siberian Husky
Because of their thick and furry double coat, Siberian huskies can thrive in the places with the worst cold weather, like Alaska and Russia. Their dense undercoat regulates their body temperature, allowing them to adapt to drastic weather changes.
2. Australian Shepherd
Aussies are one of the best breeds who do exceptionally well outdoors. The Australian Shepherd has a thick double furry coat that is weatherproof and can endure most weather conditions, including both cold and heat.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
If you live in a cold climate, then Bernese Mountain Dog is a great outdoor dog for you. They have a calm temperament and do not require much physical exercise as compared to other outdoor dogs. They have a thick double coat of fur that protects them in cold conditions like that of the Swiss mountains where the dog originates.
4. German Shepherd
German shepherds are famous for their intelligence, courage, and loyalty. They are easier to train and make an excellent guard dog. They also have a double coat that is dense on the outside and thick on the undercoat, allowing them to adapt to all kinds of weather conditions.
7. Collie
Collie is a smart breed of dog with a herding ancestry, making them well suited for a life outdoors. Though if you don’t live on a farm with lots of animals, they’re still better suited to indoor sleeping.
7. Mastiff
Mastiffs are huge dogs, but good-natured and extremely obedient. They can cope quite well with all kinds of weather conditions. Their large size makes them ideal for outside living.
Risks of Your Beagle Sleeping Outside
There could be a lot of dangers lurking outside in your yard for your beagle if they are left alone, including weather conditions, poisonous chemicals, plants, or even wild animals. Your dog may also become bored and feel lonely when left alone outside for too long.
Some of the main risks associated with sleeping outside in extreme weather include:
Hypothermia
The most common risk of your dog sleeping outside is feeling cold and as a result, discomfort. If you live in a cold area, your dog may be susceptible to hypothermia, which can result in weakness, muscle stiffness, and lack of alertness. Severe symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, coma, and even death. Chilly winds can also further augment the chances of hypothermia.
Frostbite
In freezing temperatures, the skin can turn pale and white and later on proceed to become dark. Even though your dog may have a double coat, the skin under the pads of your dog’s paws and nose are still very susceptible to frostbite.
Colds
Your dog can also get the sniffles due to excessive exposure to cold weather. Your dog can get colds due to several viruses and bacteria, as well as a weakened immune system from the weather.. The symptoms of common colds are similar to what humans face. Your dog will experience a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, fatigue, and likely sneezing.
Heatstroke
Your beagle can suffer from heatstroke during the warm summer months by staying outside for too long. Heatstroke is associated with fatigue, dehydration, dizziness, and confusion.
How to Train Your Beagle to Sleep Outside at A Safe Temperature
Getting a beagle, whether a puppy or an old dog to sleep out in a kennel or a dog house can be quite a chore. Beagles love to sleep near their pack. However, with a little bit of training, you can make your beagle sleep outdoors during moderate temperatures in a shelter if it is absolutely necessary.
First, you should find out if your dog would be able to handle outdoor weather and can withstand one night outside. If you have a covered porch, you can have a comfy doggie bed or a dog house for your beagle to seek refuge from storms and rains. You can also make a little shelter for your dog in your garage and have a bed and some heated blankets. Considering these tips can help you make your beagle sleep outside at a safe temperature.
- Positive reinforcement can always go a long way while training your beagle for anything even teaching them to sleep outside in their dog house. Use a lot of healthy treats to get your beagle inside the kennel or a dog house. Using food incentives can make your beagle go inside their enclosure because they know that they will get something in return.
- While training your beagle to sleep outside, allow them to stay at the same spot you want them to sleep at night. Make them have an afternoon nap there with you sitting beside them. Continue doing this for a few days. This is is going to need some time and patience, but will build a positive association for this sleeping place.
- For a few nights, you can let your beagle sleep outside for a few hours only and then let them back inside.
- Gather everything your beagle loves, such as their favorite chew toy, a rug, or their water bowl along with the other stuff and put it all inside their kennel. Beagles are wholly independent and smart and will soon start enjoying the freedom they get at night.
- Consider getting them a winter coat to help keep them warm and dry
- Make sure your beagle has fresh food and water available all the time while outdoors.
- Make sure the outdoor kennel is big enough to allow your beagle to roam around freely, lay stretched out, and wag their tail without touching the sides of the kennel.
Benefits of Dog Houses For Sleeping Outside
Humans stay indoors for protection from extreme cold, heat, and other potential dangers. Some dogs do have insulating double-fur coats and teeth for their safety. But still, your dog needs some comforts of home to remain safe and protected.
A dog house is one such worthy investment and a safe spot for your canine buddy. Dog houses can protect your furry friends from outside elements such as hot and cold temperatures and also provide them a space to rest and relax after running around outside.
During summers, air-conditioned dog houses are a great option for your dog to relax after a game of fetch to prevent them from getting heat strokes. Insulated dog houses also keep your dog cool in the summer by reflecting the heat of the sun.
A dog house can also provide cover to your dog from an unexpected thunderstorm. In winters, dog houses can protect your dogs from hypothermia, snow, rain, and wind. Insulated dog houses can provide warmth and protection on bitterly cold days and nights of winter.
Final Thoughts
While possible, I’d still recommend allowing your beagle to be able to have both indoor and outdoor options for sleeping, through the use of a doggy door. You’ll never know what kind of animals can enter your yard at night, and you’ll want to make sure that your beagle is safe and secure, with the ability to come inside as needed.
