Congratulations! Your Beagle is pregnant. While you wait to greet the newest additions to your family, you might start wondering how many puppies to expect. How many pups should your healthy female Beagle have, and how can you tell?
How Many Puppies Do Beagles Have?
Beagles can have varying numbers of puppies, but according to the American Kennel Club, the average number of puppies in a Beagle litter is six of these little hound dogs.1 Beagles tend to have between one and ten puppies, although the record was thirteen puppies. The record holder among all dogs was a Mastiff named Tia, who had 24 puppies in a single litter in 2004.2
How to Tell How Many Puppies a Beagle Will Have
Your veterinarian will be instrumental in helping determine how many puppies your Beagle (and other dog breeds) will have. There are several methods used to predict how many puppies to expect.
- Palpation: Your veterinarian might be able to palpate puppies in your dog’s abdomen, but keep in mind that it is very easy to miscount using this method. It’s just not reliable.
- Ultrasound: Between about 30 and 45 days into the pregnancy, your veterinarian can utilize an ultrasound to count the number of puppies. After the puppies get larger in the uterus, it can be challenging to tell them apart on ultrasound.
- Radiographs (X-rays): Radiographs are the preferred way to count the number of puppies in your dog’s abdomen by counting the number of fetal skeletons. Your veterinarian can take these images after your dog is 45 days pregnant.
What Determines How Many Puppies a Beagle Will Have?
Several significant factors contribute to how many puppies your Beagle will have. One study examined litters of purebred dogs to draw some conclusions. The study looked at 224 dog breeds.
Some findings include:
- Large breed dogs tend to have more puppies. A Great Dane will usually have more puppies than a Pomeranian.
- Older females tend to have fewer puppies than younger ones.
Veterinarians recognize other factors that can influence your dog’s litter size. You don’t want to be your dog too young, as very young dogs also tend to have small litters. Typically, veterinarians recommend breeding dogs between two and six years old.
Genetics also significantly impact litter size in any breed, not just Beagles. Certain bloodlines might be known to have higher fecundity and ovulate more eggs, leading to more possibly fertilized eggs.
Adding genetic diversity may also increase the number of puppies. When breeders use inbreeding or line-breeding to preserve certain desirable genetic traits, they also reduce genetic diversity and could lead to fewer puppies. Outcrossing helps promote genetic variables and can lead to larger and healthier litters.
Your dog’s health and nutrition also impact the potential litter size. Healthy dogs are more likely to get pregnant and have larger litters than dogs with underlying health issues. In addition, overweight and underweight dogs may both have smaller litter sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the gestation period for a Beagle?
The average gestation period for any dog, not just Beagles, is 63 days, but that’s a bit of an oversimplification. The actual range is roughly 56 to 70 days from the time of conception. There’s a bit of variability here because sperm remains viable in your dog’s reproductive tract for up to a week. In addition, dogs are usually bred multiple times, making it hard to pinpoint the exact whelping date.
When can you determine if a dog is pregnant?
There are often physical changes that your dog might be pregnant, including:
- Decreased energy
- Mammary development
- Weight gain
These indicators aren’t always reliable, and some dogs go through a false pregnancy and can have some of these changes. A better way to determine if a dog is pregnant is by utilizing diagnostic imaging. Ultrasounds to confirm canine pregnancy can be used as soon as 20 to 22 days post-conception but are most reliable at around 30 days. Radiographs (X-rays) are most effective if your dog is at least 45 days into their pregnancy. At this point in time, the fetal skeletons are mineralizing, and radiographs are considered safe for the unborn puppies.
We recommend getting advice from a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s pregnancy.
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Conclusion
While Beagles have an average of six puppies in a litter, many factors can influence the gestation cycle and the number of puppies your dog has. Your veterinarian can help you plan for a successful pregnancy, ensuring your dog is in optimal health to conceive and deliver puppies. During the pregnancy, your veterinarian can also perform an ultrasound or take radiographs to count the number of puppies, giving you a better idea of what to expect.
Featured Image Credit: StockMediaSeller, Shutterstock
