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Beagles experience the same pregnancy gestation periods as other dog breeds. It is important to understand that Beagles are just like any other dog when it comes to giving birth. According to the American Kennel Club, the normal gestation period of a Beagle is about 63 days. However, this range can vary depending on several factors
First, it can be hard to tell exactly when a dog gets pregnant, so the range of conception to birth can vary by a few days. So, if a Beagle typically takes 63 days to give birth after conception, you may expect puppies about 60 and 75 days after you determine that your Beagle is pregnant.
It’s Tough to Determine a Concrete Conception Date
Unless you are there to witness the conception through breeding methods, it can be tough to determine the actual conception date of a Beagle. You must rely on averages and human perceptions. Therefore, add or subtract an extra week or two when predicting the gestation period for your Beagle.
Your veterinarian can help you determine a conception date based on signs that your Beagle shows during their pregnancy. If you do know when conception happened, you can simply count 63 days from that date and expect the babies to be born around that time.
The First Signs of Pregnancy in Beagles
You should be able to tell that your Beagle is pregnant by keeping an eye out for the initial signs of pregnancy. Here’s what to look for:
- She becomes “lazier” and would rather rest than play or exercise.
- Her belly gets firmer to the touch.
- Her nipples start to emerge and look larger.
- She may start grooming her genitals and belly more often and thoroughly.
What to Expect During Your Beagle’s Pregnancy (Week 1 – Week 9)
It’s important to know what you should expect during your Beagle’s pregnancy so you know what is normal and what is not. This way, if something seems off, you can get to the veterinarian before the problem becomes too serious to effectively address. Here is what to expect.
Week 1
This is when your dog’s fertilized eggs travel to the uterine wall where they will be implanted. There are typically no signs of pregnancy shown at this point in time.
Week 2
The babies start to grow at this stage but require few resources, so your dog should be as active as usual and should not require more food.
Week 3
Your dog’s fetuses are growing even quicker now and may start utilizing more of your Beagle’s energy to do so. Your dog may start to get hungrier at this point due to the extra resources being used to brew those babies.
Week 4
A trained breeder or veterinarian should be able to feel the growing puppies in your dog’s belly, and some growth should be noticeable to your eyes. Your veterinarian should be able to tell you how many babies are in there and may be able to spot growth abnormalities.
Week 5
This is when the puppies grow their organs and gain weight in preparation for birth. They will also develop their male and female parts. This is the stage when you should notice your dog gain quite a bit of belly weight.
Week 6
At this point, it should be obvious to everyone that your Beagle is pregnant. Your dog may lose her appetite due to discomfort from her babies taking up so much space inside.
Week 7
Most Beagles will start to shed their belly hair during the 7th week of pregnancy to prepare themselves for the birthing process. This is when you should start setting up a whelping area for them to give birth in.
Weeks 8 and 9
This is when your dog finishes preparing for the birth of her puppies, as she may go into labor at any time. You may notice that she starts to lactate in preparation for feeding her new crew. She may become restless and anxious as she feels labor contractions.
In Conclusion
Beagles are pregnant for the same amount of time as any other type of dog. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian from the time that you learn that your pooch is pregnant to ensure that everything goes smoothly. This way, if you are ever in doubt, you will have a reliable expert to reach out to for guidance and support.
Featured Image Credit: Nina Buday, Shutterstock
