How fast can a Beagle run?

With their long beautiful ears, adorable barreled bodies, and big glowing eyes, Beagle dogs don’t exactly look like they were made for running fast. But you would be wrong to think that because despite the shape they come in, Beagles have remarkable endurance and, on top of that, are able to run at amazingly fast speeds. 

In this article, we’ll talk about all of the amazing feats that Beagles are capable of when running is concerned, and shed some light on why Beagles are able to run so fast.

Let’s cut to the chase: How fast can Beagles run?

Beagles possess bodies that are highly adapted to running at high speeds, contrary to the common belief, and this is what allows Beagles to run up to speeds of anywhere between 20-30 miles per hour.

Just to put things into perspective, a healthy human jogs at speeds of 9 miles per hour, and therefore if you are looking for a jogging partner, then you should get yourself a Beagle. Along with their speed, Beagles are also known to have exceptional endurance, which will also come in handy during your morning jogs with your canine friend. 

Video of a Beagle running super fast!

Here is a video of a Beagle running fast on the beach by YouTuber Smudge the Beagle. As you can see, Beagles are very athletic and love to run around in open spaces where they can run at high speeds!

How can Beagles run so fast?

Now a natural question will be asked around how Beagles are able to run so quickly, given their small size. Well, as with any other phenomena, there are a number of factors and physical adaptations that play their part in making Beagles capable of running so fast. These physical adaptations are described below.

Aerodynamic Build

All dog breeds that are known to be fast runners tend to have one thing in common. All of them possess a highly aerodynamic body which serves to minimize air resistance and drag during their sprints. This minimization of air drag goes a long way in making dogs faster and quicker. 

The same goes for Beagles as they possess a slenderer and barreled body which is optimized for lowering air drag. Beagles also have very muscular legs, which also helps them in achieving speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. This makes Beagle the perfect running partner.

Paws

Beagle paws are specially adapted to allow Beagles to accelerate far faster than other dog breeds. These adaptations include the presence of robust buffers as well as sturdier toenails. These adaptations allow Beagles to hold the ground skillfully, no matter how rough it is or what terrain they are running on.

Whether your Beagle is running on concrete, grass or snow, you can expect high speeds from your Beagle, as they are able to run in all conditions. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t able to fall over, or lose grip at all, so caution should be taken when they are running fast and you shouldn’t ever encourage high speeds near dangerous places.

Muscular legs

Beagles also possess very muscular legs that are more than capable of producing enough power and giving themselves enough momentum to reach their top speeds. These muscular legs are the key to how Beagles can run so fast. They play the most crucial role, and therefore Beagle owners should make efforts to maintain the muscle density of their legs.

The best way to do that is to feed your Beagle-specialized, high-protein dog food, as well exercising them regularly to maintain healthy bones and a strong posture. 

Vitamin K, Magnesium and Calcium also contribute to the maintenance of normal bones, so this could include feeding your Beagle chicken, green beans, bananas, peas, cheese, fish or Brussel sprouts. All of these food sources provide the vitamins and minerals your Beagle needs to maintain healthy bones and muscular legs.

If you have any concerns regarding your Beagles legs, you should always consult a veterinarian on the matter. 

Cardiovascular system

Last but certainly not least, Beagles are also blessed with a strong cardiovascular system that pumps the required oxygenated blood throughout their body to make them able to run so fast and for so long. This helps keep blood flowing in the right direction towards the heart.

Should I take my Beagle running?

Beagles love to run so it’s a great idea to take them with you on your journey, however, you shouldn’t overwork your Beagle and you should keep running to a sensible distance of a few miles. You should give your Beagle plenty of rest breaks in between, and you shouldn’t ever force them to run with you, it should be a fun, rewarding and voluntary exercise.

We suggest keeping running to a minimum at the start, taking your Beagle with you on short runs, or walks, and then gradually increasing the distance between each run.

Make sure your Beagle is well hydrated before and after your run – providing them with plenty of water to regenerate and freshen up. You shouldn’t ever attempt to push your Beagle to run more than 5 miles at a time.

Running with your Beagle will not only improve your mental health and physical wellbeing, but your dogs too, so it’s a great idea.

Can I take my Beagle on long-distance runs?

No, we wouldn’t recommend taking your Beagle on long-distance runs, and we suggest that you only run up to 5 miles with them.

There’s a misconception that Beagles can run long distances, however, this is far from the truth. Beagles require regular breaks in between runs and if they ever display any sign of fatigue or shortness of breath, you should stop running and take a break.

However, if your Beagle is smiling and showing no sign of discomfort, you can increase the running distance.

How can I train my Beagle to run with me?

If you love running then you can take your Beagle with you, assuming they like to run too.

At first, you should take your Beagle on plenty of walks to help develop their bones, fitness and awareness of the local area – they also need to realise that being outside the house is positive and rewarding, so give them plenty of treats when they are outside. In time, they will love to be out in the open with you. However, the Beagles safety should be at the top of your priority list, so ensure they are properly trained and well-disciplined before allowing them to be off the lead running with you.

Once your Beagle responds well to training commands and is generally well behaved outside, you can then start running with them. We suggest running small distances at first, to help them get used to running, while also being on a short lead. This lead could be attached to your waist or belt – so there’s no risk of your Beagle running into the road or wandering off without you knowing.

Over time, increase the distance between each run and you could try taking them off the lead when you feel confident enough, this will help give them the freedom they need to run alongside you. 

You should always be wary of your surroundings for the safety of you and your dog, and you shouldn’t ever take your Beagle running in areas where there is danger nearby, i.e. alongside a road. You need to make sure your Beagle is safe at all times.

How do I know if my Beagle is struggling to run?

You should keep a close eye on your Beagle when exercising to make sure you aren’t overworking them.

Below are some signs of exhaustion and if your dog shows any of these, you should stop exercising and give them a nice break, along with some water to help hydrate themselves.

• Shortness of breath and signs of struggling to breath
• Excess sweating
• Dehydration and fatigue
• Stopping frequently or showing signs of sluggishness
• Panting heavily
• Laying down on the floor refusing to move

In serious cases, your Beagle may show signs of heat exhaustion, fatigue and heat stroke, so if you suspect any of the above symptoms, you should immediately stop and give your dog a break.

Keep your Beagle close to you

Beagles and in fact, all dog breeds have an incredible sense of smell and are able to smell anywhere between 1,000 and 10,000 times better than us humans. Due to this, dogs have a tendency to easily get distracted and wander off, in the hope that they find the source of the smell. In particular, Beagles have an increased sense of smell and are at the higher end of the scale when compared to humans.

Beagles love to chase scents, so we suggest keeping your Beagle close while running or walking, as they may decide to suddenly wander off and find the source.

How many miles should a Beagle walk a day?

Beagles require a lot of exercise, obviously! so we recommend walking them for at least 1 hour a day, but ideally 2 hours to keep them fit and healthy. This will help keep their energy levels under control and will also help to curb any destructive behaviours that may develop if they become bored or frustrated.

As with all dogs, if you don’t exercise them they will find other ways to entertain and release energy – so they may run around the house, bite things, eat things or generally be a pain in the backside! As an example, our Tilly (miniature dachshund) likes to run around the garden when we haven’t walked her enough, and eventually, dig holes (big no no!).

If you aren’t able to walk them for 1-2 hours a day, then consider hiring a dog walker to help give your Beagle the exercise they need. Dogs need to burn off energy, so it’s it’s super important for their well being! (and health).

Do Beagles like to run away on a run?

Beagles may try to run away if they catch a scent, so it’s important to keep them close while running. They may also become distracted and wander off if they see something interesting, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and keep them close.

For Beagle’s that aren’t trained and have a habit of running away, you should keep them on a lead while running. You can gradually increase the distance between you and them as they get used to running with you, but always be aware of their whereabouts.

If you live in an area with a lot of traffic or danger, then it’s best to avoid running with your Beagle off the lead, as they may run into the road or wander off into a dangerous area. This could result in them becoming lost or hurting themselves.

What should I do if my Beagle runs away while on a run?

If your Beagle happens to run away while you are out running, then the best thing to do is to stay calm and call their name in a happy voice. If they come back to you, then praise them and give them lots of treats – even though they probably don’t deserve it, it reminds them that they will be rewarded if they return.!

If they don’t come back to you, then try following their scent by walking in the direction they went. If you can’t find them, then the best thing to do is to contact your local animal shelters and rescue groups, as they may have seen your Beagle or know of someone who has found them.

If you have Facebook, you could post in a local group to announce that they are lost and ask people to keep an eye out for them. You could also put up flyers in your local area with their picture and your contact details – if you haven’t had any luck finding them the same day.

The most important thing is not to give up and keep looking, as they may be lost and confused. They will be super grateful to be reunited with you, it’s important to get them home safe and sound.

What is the best way to prevent my Beagle from running away on a run?

The best way to prevent your Beagle from running away while on a run, is to keep them on a lead (obvious – I know!). But if your dog feels under-exercised or not exercised enough, they may feel more inclined to run away to release their energy, so it’s important to ensure your walk your Beagle for at least one hour a day consistently. If you don’t, they could go crazy when you do take them for a walk!

You could also consider neutering or spaying your Beagle, as they could be attracted to other dogs if they haven’t been neutered/spayed. This could result in them running off after another dog if they catch their scent.

If you have a Beagle that is particularly prone to running away, then you could look into getting them a GPS collar. This will allow you to track their whereabouts and find them if they do happen to run off. You can find these on Amazon.

What health conditions can impact a Beagle’s ability to run faster?

There are a few known health conditions that can impact a Beagle’s ability to run fast, these are:

• Arthritis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Obesity

If your Beagle is suffering from any of these, then it’s important to get them checked out by a veterinarian, and if they have been diagnosed already, you should not run with them (super important). Arthritis and hip dysplasia is very, very painful for dogs, and obesity can put strain on their heart and lungs, so it’s best to avoid running with Beagles that suffer from any of these conditions. It could make the pain and suffering worse for them.

Below are some of the symptoms to look out for, but if any doubt, contact an expert.

Arthritis in Beagles

Arthritis is a common condition among older dogs, and will undoubtedly impact a Beagle’s ability to run (or in fact, any dog breed). Symptoms of arthritis in Beagles can include:

• Stiffness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• Reluctance to move or exercise
• Limping
• Swelling around the joints
• Pain when touched around the joints
• Depression and anxiety

If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms, you should pause all exercise and contact a vet. They will be able to help advise and conduct any necessary scans/checks.

Hip Dysplasia in Beagles

Hip dysplasia is a condition that can be present at birth or develop later in life. It is caused by the dislocation of the hip joint, and it can be VERY painful for dogs. Symptoms include:

• Difficulty walking, jumping or climbing stairs
• Swaying when walking
• Unwillingness to exercise or play
• Reluctance to move around like they used to
• Hoping while running (bunny hopping)
• Not interested in exercising
• Skinny and painful hips

If your dog is displaying any of the above symptoms, particularly if they are limping, then it’s important to get them checked.

Obesity in Beagles

Obesity is becoming more and more common in dogs. If your Beagle is obese, then you should not run with them as it can put strain on their heart and lungs. It’s important to get your dog to a healthy weight before starting any kind of intense exercise. Symptoms include:

• Carrying excess weight
• Breathing heavier than normal
• Lethargy and unwillingness to exercise
• Panting excessively
• Becoming very lazy and refusing to exercise
• Inability to feel their ribs
• A much larger face than they used to have
• A noticeable difference in weight gain

If you think your Beagle is obese, then you should speak to a vet about the best way to help them lose weight. They may need to go on a special diet and have their calorie intake reduced.

If your dog is obese, you may also receive comments from other dog owners when out walking. But you should try and ignore these – but it’s a good sign that you need to start taking action.

Cancer in Beagles

Cancer is another condition that will affect the mobility of your Beagle, and therefore their ability to run fast. Symptoms can include:

• Lumps or bumps on the body that are getting larger
• Sores that don’t heal
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Anemia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

All of these are very painful symptoms as a result of the illness that we all despise, cancer (4, 5, 6). If your dog is displaying any of the above symptoms then it’s always worth getting them checked. According to AVMA, approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer at some point in their life, and over half of dogs aged over 10 years will get cancer, so it’s very common.

Don’t take any chances and always get them checked if you notice any symptoms. Don’t attempt to walk or exercise them, this will only make it worse and it could be very uncomfortable for your doggo.

What age should I start running with my Beagle?

The best age to start running with your Beagle is around 18 months old. This is when they will be fully grown and their bones will have stopped growing. If you start too early, then you only increase the chances of them developing joint problems in later life, which could limit their mobility and increase the risk of arthritis. It could also make them feel very comfortable, which is not good for anyone.

If your Beagle is older than 18 months, then you can start running with them straight away! Just make sure to take it slow at first and gradually increase the distance and intensity as they get used to it! Beagles love to run and explore the outdoors, so it’s a great way to keep them fit, healthy and entertained!

Can a Beagle run fast while pregnant?

You should not take your Beagle running if they are pregnant. This is because it can put too much strain on their body and could lead to a miscarriage. It’s important to speak to a vet before starting any kind of exercise regime when your dog is pregnant, as they will be able to advise you on what is safe and what isn’t.

As a rule of thumb, we recommend not taking your Beagle for runs if they are pregnant, and instead, limit exercise to short local walks.

My Beagle is limping, can I still take them running?

If your Beagle is limping, then it’s important to get them checked by a vet before taking them for a run. This is because they may have an injury that could be made worse by running. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and your vet will be able to give you the all clear before starting any exercise.