Beagles are known and beloved for their sweet and loving personalities, loyalty and sporting nature. Many people also love the fact that they are pint-sized, or at least on the smaller side, of dog breeds. They are, in fact, basically a miniature version of their larger relative, the foxhound.

Beagles can vary somewhat in size, and female beagles tend to be smaller than their male counterparts. The American Kennel Club recognizes two different sizes of beagles – small and large. The small sized beagles are those that stand at 13 inches or less in shoulder height, while large beagles are 15 inches and over.  While it may not sound like a big difference, the weight differential between the two sizes can be quite significant. It’s also important to recognize that within these size groups, there is much variation.

Read on for the full scoop on beagle size and growth from puppyhood to adulthood!

At What Age Do Beagles Stop Growing?

Puppies go through an amazing period of growth early in life, both in their size and their general physical and mental development. It’s impressive to watch as they grow bigger and more confident every day. But, how do you know when your beagle is finished growing and has reached their full adult size?

Although every beagle is different, the average time for a beagle to reach full physical maturity is around eighteen months, or one and a half years. At this time, the skeletal system will have finished maturing. Once all of the growth plates in bones are closed up, it is not possible for your beagle to effectively get any taller or bigger – unless of course they start packing on the pounds!

During this time of rapid growth for the first year and a half of life, it is important to pay extra attention to your dog’s nutrition. Puppies not only run off incredible amounts of energy playing, but they also require extra calories and nutrients to support their rapid growth. Nutritional deficiencies early in life can have lasting effects on a dog’s health and even impede on their growth. Puppies who are still growing should be eating food specifically fortified for puppies, which is more calorie dense and provides optimum nutrition.

Growth Chart for Beagle Puppies (Height & Weight)

Watching a puppy grow up is a truly awe-inspiring experience. You will witness so many developmental and growth milestones as your new friend changes day by day. Some of the big milestones to look for at each age include:

• Birth to three weeks old

Puppies of this age are fairly helpless and will need to be nursed by their mother or fed by bottle as milk/formula provides all of their nutrition. A newborn beagle weighs an average of about one pound by the end of the week. They will begin to stand up but have very poor balance.

During this time the puppy’s eyes will still be closed, at least up until the start of the third week. Over the course of this phase their weight will also likely double to between ten ounces and one whole pound.

• Three to four weeks old

These puppies slowly work towards becoming more independent, Their eyes should be fully opened now and they will try to walk a few steps. Their hearing develops and becomes more acute at this time as well. Puppies gain weight rapidly and may weigh between 1.5-2 pounds by the end of their first month. All of a puppy’s nutrition at this stage in life still comes from their mother’s milk.

• Four to six weeks old

This is when things really start getting cute. Puppies of this age are still drinking mother’s milk and making rapid weight gains in a short amount of time. They are also becoming more social, wanting to explore the world around them and “make friends” or play with anyone in their orbit. Your beagle may begin to tentatively “play” and should be able to walk around more. Average weights during this time are around 2.5-3 pounds,

• Six to eight weeks old

At this time, your beagle puppy is ready to wean off of mother’s milk and get on solid puppy food. This process takes time and patience. You will want to make sure that your beagle is still receiving all of the nutrition that they need in order to get a good start in life.

If you have a mother dog (and are not bottle feeding), she will lead them in weaning. If you are feeding them by hand, you will have to help them make that transition. Some puppies are much more resistant than others at weaning time. Some puppies will respond to their names at this age. The average weight of a beagle puppy of this age is 3.5 to 4 pounds.

• Two months to six months of age

Beagle puppies continue to grow quickly during this age range and should be eating an energy-dense puppy food. These babies are more like miniature adults and can begin obedience training (and should get up to date on all of their vaccinations during this time period). They’ll also be able to start going on regular walks! By the age of six months, your beagle puppy will already be relatively close to their adult size, weighing in at as much as 10 to 15 pounds!

Read More: How Much Sleep Do Beagle Puppies Need?

• Six months to two years

While your beagle may look fully grown in the second part of their first year, they will still have a lot of development left to go. Their skeletal system will not be fully formed and finished growing until about two years of age. This means that this period is vital for your dog’s development. A normal, healthy beagle can start to transition from puppy to adult food sometime after their six month birthday. They will continue to grow until his skeleton finally reaches full maturity around two years, where they’ll likely be anywhere from under 22 to 30 pounds, and will range in height from 13 to 16 inches on average.

During this time, all of their baby teeth will also likely fall out, and they’ll have their full set of adult teeth.

Read More: How Many Puppies Are In a Beagle Litter?

If you want to see this transition in action, check out this great video from Louie The Beagle below!

Normal Weight Bounds for Beagles

Beagles, like humans, come in various shapes, sizes and body types. However, as obesity in pets is on the rise – and can cause or exacerbate serious health conditions – you will need to monitor your pet’s weight throughout their life. While there are normal variations of weights within and between the different sizes of beagles, there are some basic guidelines for healthy weight ranges.

As I mentioned earlier, there are two different sizes of beagle that are currently recognized – the 13 inches and under, and 13 to 15 inch beagles. Normally, there is some variation between male and female beagles with females being slightly smaller. Again, every dog is different, so you should consider the following general guides only and consult with your vet if you are concerned about your beagle’s weight.

The average weight range for a 13 inch (and under) beagle is between 22 and 30 pounds (again, females tend to be on the lower end of that spectrum). The 13 to 15 inch size beagles may weigh in at up to 35 pounds.

Generally, beagles are extremely food-motivated as a breed, and are more prone to overeating than other types of dogs. For this reason, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your beagle’s weight, as it is easier for them to pack on pounds compared to other breeds.

Final Thoughts

It’s a good idea to weigh your beagle regularly, as it’s a decent indicator of health. For puppies, you should see a constant upward trajectory of growth and for adult dogs, serious fluctuations in weight can point to a problem that needs to be addressed. While you might think that you would notice a change in weight in your dog, the truth is that since you are seeing them every day, it’s easy to adjust to any gradual changes and not realize it is happening. Weighing your dog regularly can help you head off problems before they start, and adjust diet, fitness regimen, or address any medical issues as needed.

The easiest and most accurate way to keep tabs on your beagle’s weight is through regularly scheduled vet visits.