Beagles are medium-sized dogs that were originally bred for hunting. However, they are commonly kept as companion animals today, especially for those looking for less-active dogs. Because they aren’t as large as many other breeds, the price of a Beagle tends to be less and cheaper to take care of.

After all, they don’t eat terribly much, which means that they are cheaper to own. Plus, their smaller size and lower food needs make them cheaper to breed, as well. In the end, this means the cost of Beagles is generally less overall.

Let’s take a look at all the costs of adopting a Beagle and owning one.

Bringing Home a New Beagle: One-Time Costs

When you purchase a Beagle, there are several costs to consider, including how much Beagle puppies are. This can vary depending on where you’re getting the dog from and the dog’s ancestry. The average person likely wants a working-line Beagle, as they tend to be healthier, cost less, and be friendlier.

On top of the puppy, the price of a Beagle goes up once you purchase all the items that your dog needs. For instance, you’ll need to purchase a bed, food, bowls, and identification. All of these costs add up, though, so you need to budget for them carefully.

Free

Occasionally, you may find a Beagle available for free. However, these dogs are often free for a reason. If someone is giving their dog away, it is likely that they haven’t put much money into the dog. Therefore, there could be underlying health problems that may cost you tons of money later on.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do an act of charity by taking in an unwanted dog. However, keep in mind that what you aren’t paying upfront, you’ll likely have to pay later. Budget this accordingly to ensure that you have the money to pay potential vet bills.

Adoption

Adoption does cost some money. However, it is often cheaper than purchasing a dog from a breeder. Before the dog showed up at the adoption agency, there is no telling what kind of life it had. Many dogs that are up for adoption did not receive proper healthcare when they were younger, for instance. Breeders often don’t allow their puppies to be placed up for adoption, either.

Therefore, most Beagles in adoption agencies were not from breeders.

With that said, after arriving at the adoption agency, dogs do receive proper healthcare. If the Beagle has an underlying medical condition, the adoption agency will likely let you know before you adopt them (assuming that they know, of course).

Breeder

Beagles are not as expensive as other breeds. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t pay a pretty penny for champion-bloodline dogs or puppies from highly qualified breeders.

With that said, working-line Beagles tend to be cheaper than show Beagles. The lines in this breed are pretty distinct. Most regular pet owners would do best with a Beagle from a working-class line, as they are typically bred for their personality and people skills—not just how they look.

Breeders that perform more genetic testing, provide more healthcare, and significant guarantees are usually more expensive. However, they may save you more money in the long run by producing healthier, high-quality puppies.

Initial Setup and Supplies

On top of purchasing a puppy, you’ll have to purchase supplies to take care of your puppy. When you first bring your puppy home, there are a lot of one-time purchases that you’ll need to budget. Furthermore, you’ll also have to consider examinations, spay/neuter surgery, and other vet costs.

Some of these costs may be less if you purchased your puppy from a breeder. Many breeders throw in extra items when you purchase your dog. Plus, most also provide vaccinations and other vet care.

List of Beagle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Beagle Cost Per Month?

While Beagles do cost less than other dogs to care for, they still require a decent amount of care each month. For instance, you’ll have to purchase food, buy pet insurance, and purchase any necessary medication. All of this can add up.

The average cost per month you’ll have to spend varies largely based on how healthy your dog is. Those that need more veterinary care will often have a higher monthly cost.

Health Care

Most of your expenses for your Beagle will fall in this category. You’ll need to keep your dog up to date on medications, pet insurance, and other medical needs. Plus, you’ll also have to purchase quality food to keep your dog healthy.

Food

Beagles don’t eat that much. However, they do require a premium diet to keep them healthy. Because they are not prone to tons of health problems, you usually do not have to purchase veterinary food, which can help keep your costs low.

Grooming

Beagles shed a lot. However, they typically do not require regular grooming. You can easily brush and bathe them at home, which can keep your costs quite low in the long run. You may spend very little on your Beagle’s grooming if you do the majority of it at home.

Medications and Vet Visits

Beagles tend to be rather healthy dogs. Therefore, they often don’t require huge amounts of medications and vet bills. However, you will need to keep your dog updated on vaccinations and pay for regular checkups, even if they are completely healthy otherwise.

Of course, some Beagles will have health problems, which can increase the price significantly. Many health problems are quite expensive to fix, even if you have pet insurance.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance isn’t absolutely necessary when you own a dog. However, it can help you pay for unexpected vet bills in the case of an accident or injury. Beagles aren’t more prone to accidents than other dogs, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t occur.

By purchasing pet insurance, you’re turning the unknown cost of potential vet bulls into the known costs of monthly insurance payments.

Environment Maintenance

Unlike many types of pets out there, dogs really don’t have many environmental costs. You won’t have to worry about buying cat litter or light bulbs, for instance. However, there are a few costs that you should plan on covering monthly or bi-monthly.

Most importantly, you’ll likely need to replace your dog’s water and food bowls regularly. As you’d guess, this won’t be a monthly cost, but you shouldn’t use the same bowls for years on end. You’ll also have to consider the cost of training treats and dental chews, if necessary.

Entertainment

Beagles love to play, especially when they are younger. Plus, they tend to teeth heavily as puppies, so they will require significant amounts of chew toys at this time. As they get older, they typically slow down on the use of toys. Therefore, you’ll probably pay closer to $50 per month for a puppy, but as little as $10 a month for an adult.

These dogs do not require tons of toys, as they don’t tend to destroy the toys they do have. They aren’t heavy chewers like other dogs, especially when they stop teething.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Beagle

Generally, you’ll spend towards the lower end of this range for an adult dog. Most costs associated with owning a Beagle come towards the front of their lifespan, when they’ll need more vaccinations, toys, and other items.

However, there are some other costs you may want to consider.

Additional Costs to Factor In

If you do not purchase pet insurance, we recommend setting some money aside for your dog’s potential vet bills. Even if you have pet insurance, you should set aside enough money to pay your deductible, which will need to be paid before the insurance kicks in.

You may want to consider training, as well. Beagles are generally pretty easy to train in the basics, but they aren’t bred for more complicated commands. Therefore, they typically don’t require huge amounts of training. A $300 series of classes when they are puppies is often plenty.

You may also want to consider the costs of a pet sitter or walker. While some people may need to pay for a daily walker, which can get quite expensive, this often isn’t necessary for a Beagle. Instead, these costs will be more likely should you go out of town or something of that sort.

Owning a Beagle on a Budget

Luckily, Beagles tend to be some of the more budget-friendly canines out there. If you have a strict budget and want to adopt a dog, a Beagle is typically a good way to go. These dogs don’t usually require tons of walking, which means that you won’t need to hire a dog walker (typically). They also don’t destroy their toys or require tons of chew toys, so you’ll save a bit each month. They’re also smaller, so they don’t eat tons.

However, they can be a bit gluttonous. Therefore, you’ll need to be careful about over-feeding them. This can lead to obesity, which can increase vet costs.

We highly recommend pet insurance for those on a strict budget, as it will help you pay for random vet bills. Save up enough to cover your deductible in the case of an emergency.

Saving Money on Beagle Care

To save money on vet care, we recommend shopping around as much as possible. Look at a few different breeders, for instance, and choose the option that provides the best value (which won’t necessarily be the cheapest). Get multiple pet insurance quotes to get the cheapest option with a decent amount of coverage.

If your dog needs medication, you can shop around at different vets for the best cost. Online medication is often cheaper. Many pharmacies also provide medications, though they may have to order them beforehand. Dog medicine at a pharmacy is often cheaper than purchasing directly from a vet.

Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the one with the best value. If one Beagle breeder charges $400 but provides no vaccinations, then you may end up paying more in the long run due to the extra needed medical care.

Conclusion

Beagles may be one of the cheaper dogs out there. However, you should still expect to pay quite a bit when you first adopt your Beagle, as well as monthly costs for upkeep and care. Initial costs are often around $1,000. However, if you shop deals, you can potentially save a lot on big-ticket items like a crate and dog bed. If you know you’re getting a puppy, start looking for deals on these items before you bring your puppy home.

After you adopt a beagle, you can expect to pay around $150 to $350 each month. Most of this cost will go into food and medical bills. However, you also have to consider costs like toys and equipment replacement.

Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock