Are Beagles Hypoallergenic? (See What The Vet Says!)

As a veterinarian, I am often asked about humans’ allergies to their dogs. I enjoy helping pet parents learn about the best breeds for their families and how to deal with allergies.

Dogs are man’s best friend, and the latest statistics show more and more dogs are living in our homes. However, if you are allergic to your pet, your dog may become anything but your best friend.

Unfortunately, Beagles are not hypoallergenic. No dog is hypoallergenic as all dogs produce dander and proteins in their urine and saliva that trigger allergies.

However, beagles are smaller dogs, which means fewer allergens in your home. To reduce allergy exposure, keep your dog out of living and sleeping spaces and bathe your pup often.

If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies and you are seeking a hypoallergenic dog, sadly, there truly is no such thing.

But that does not mean you and your family cannot enjoy the companionship of a Beagle! Read on for some tips to help the allergy sufferer in your life.

What Does “Hypoallergenic” Mean?

“Hypoallergenic” is a term that simply means a product is not likely to cause an allergic reaction. The term is most commonly applied to cosmetics and textiles.

It is inaccurate to state that a dog, or dog breed, is “hypoallergenic.”

When someone claims that a dog or dog breed is “hypoallergenic,” they are often referring to the fact that the dog or breed has hair, as opposed to fur, and does not shed very much.

Unfortunately, human allergies to dogs are not the result of fur or hair that is shed.  Proteins cause these allergies.

The proteins are found in the dog’s urine and saliva and get trapped in particles of dry skin called dander. The dander is inhaled from the environment and triggers human allergies.

Loose hair does play a role in allergies for humans. However, all dogs produce allergenic proteins and dander, even if they do not shed.

The dander gets caught in the hairs that fall off of the dog when they shed, and a shedding dog can increase the amount of allergen in the home.

Is A Beagle A Good Choice For Someone With Allergies?

Interestingly, some people will have an allergic reaction to one dog and not to another, and it is often difficult to figure out why.

Scientists have performed studies measuring the levels of allergens in different breeds’ saliva but have reached no conclusion explaining why some dogs trigger more severe allergic reactions.

Some tips to help ease the suffering from dog allergies can help if your family decides to bring a Beagle home. It is essential to try to reduce the number of allergens that your Beagle may shed.

Get A Puppy!!

Veterinarians and allergists have found that puppies are the best bet for people with allergies. It is recommended to bring any new dog into the household as young as possible.

The theory is that young dogs do not shed as many allergens as adult dogs. Allergy sufferers exposed to low levels of antigens shed by the puppy slowly become accustomed to them.

Many pet parents have told me in my practice that they have severe allergic reactions to others’ dogs but have no problems with the dogs that they raised from puppies in their homes.

This approach is the same method used by allergists when they administer allergy treatment, called immunotherapy.

A tiny amount of the substance a person or animal is allergic to is injected into the patient frequently until the immune system tolerates it and no longer sees it as a foreign substance.

Ways To Reduce Human Allergies To Beagles

An allergy to dogs can seem like an insurmountable obstacle on the path to owning a dog. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a few helpful tips to help your family manage dog allergies while enjoying the companionship of a Beagle.

1. Consult a physician. A human allergist is your best resource for up-to-date treatment options and therapies for allergies to dogs.
2. A beagle is a great choice because they are small. A smaller dog means fewer allergens in your home and, therefore, less suffering from dog allergies.
3. Keep the dog out of living and sleeping spaces. Any room where the allergy sufferer spends a lot of time should be off-limits for the dog.
4. Dogs love the outdoors! Keep the dog (and the allergens) outside as much as the weather permits.
5. Bathe your pup! Washing dander from the dog’s skin helps remove allergens. Brushing to remove excess hair, and therefore dander and allergens, can be a huge help too. Always perform all grooming tasks outside.
6. Consider removing the carpet from your home. Better choices are tile and hardwood, as they do not trap allergens.
7. Improve the air circulation in your home by keeping windows open as much as possible. Install HEPA filters and change all furnace filters at least monthly.

What About Shedding?

If you are considering bringing a Beagle into your family and are very worried about shedding, then this breed may not be the one for you. Beagles do shed.

However, there are two things to keep in mind. One, Beagles are relatively small dogs, and therefore the overall amount of hair shed will likely not be overwhelming.

Two, the Beagle’s coat is comprised of short hairs. The Beagle will not leave large tufts or clumps of hair around your house.

A Beagle will shed fairly continuously throughout the year at a low level, mostly leaving small hairs where they sleep and sloughing off more when rubbed or petted.

They will have a more significant shedding phase every spring and fall due to the hair cycle.

A Beagle’s hair has three distinct phases, a growing phase (anagen), a transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen -with a sub-phase where the hairs are shed more than usual -exogen).

The last sub-phase, exogen, commonly occurs twice a year and can bring a large amount of hair and shedding. The dog may require extra brushing during these times.

It is possible to reduce the amount a Beagle sheds in your house with frequent brushing. Brushing the dog outside, weather permitting, helps keep the hair from getting into your home.

Can A Supplement Help With Excessive Shedding?

It would be wonderful if a pill, powder, or elixir could help end all the trouble associated with shedding. No one likes it when their dog leaves hair all over the house.

Sadly, shedding is normal for most dogs, and a Beagle is no exception. There is no diet or supplement that can cause your dog to stop losing hair.

In the case of excessive shedding, the culprit could be an underlying medical condition. Some such conditions are hypothyroidism, parasites, endocrine disease, and autoimmune disorders.

Any dog suspected of shedding excessively should be taken to their veterinarian.

Bathing And Grooming A Beagle

Beagles are active and happy small dogs and have the added benefit of being low maintenance. Baths should be given once every two weeks, but not more often as too frequent bathing can cause dry skin.

Dog-specific shampoo can be used, or human baby shampoo is also a good choice as it is safe if accidentally splashed into the eyes.

Be sure to thoroughly rinse all the shampoo out of the coat to avoid skin irritation.  The shampoo left in the coat can lead to many issues if the dog scratches, including sores and secondary bacterial infections.

Beagles should be brushed daily. This may seem like a very high frequency, but it will keep the coat healthy and reduce the amount of hair shed in other places.

Once a week, a de-shedding tool, such as a Furminator®, can be used to eliminate excess hair further.

As low-maintenance dogs, Beagles will not need professional grooming. However, they do need to have their nails clipped to prevent overgrowth, ingrown nails, splitting, and painful cracks.

If an owner is not comfortable clipping the dog’s nails, a groomer or veterinarian should be consulted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beagle Care

Why does my Beagle have bad breath?

Your Beagle should not have foul-smelling breath. Dogs’ breath may not be minty-fresh like a human who has just used mouthwash, but it should be pleasant and not offensive.

If your Beagle has breath that you find objectionable, the most likely reason is periodontal disease, which affects 87% of dogs over the age of 3.

Other causes include abscesses, oral cancers, and foreign bodies. A visit to the veterinarian is in order for any Beagle with bad breath.

Why does my Beagle lick his paws?

The most common reason for a Beagle to lick their paws is environmental allergies. However, other issues, such as a foreign body or infection in the foot, as well as food allergies and even anxiety, can be the culprit.

If your Beagle is licking their paws excessively, please contact your veterinarian, as they can help get to the bottom of the issue and get relief for your furry friend.