How Much Do Beagles Cost? - 7 Factors of Beagle Prices

Beagles have a friendly, outgoing nature and are extremely affectionate ⁠— which means they’re a breed that’s always in high demand. But if you’re considering getting a Beagle, it’s essential you start looking into the cost of the dog and lifetime care.

On average, a Beagle will cost around $500 to $600 in the America. However, a Beagle’s price will depend on a variety of factors, such as the Beagle’s age, pedigree, health, location, the breeder you get them from, and more. However, the price range is huge. For example, Beagle pups from a prize lineage can cost up to $6000. On the other hand, you can adopt one for as low as $100.

This guide will help you understand how much Beagles cost, both in America and all around the world. It will also explore the factors which impact the price of a Beagle. This guide will also give you some ideas on where you can buy a Beagle on a budget.

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The 7 Factors of Beagle Prices

Like with all dog breeds, the price of Beagles can vary greatly. It’s why some Beagles will go for a few thousand dollars, and others for a few hundred. As such, there are a variety of factors that impact the cost of bringing home a Beagle:

Where you buy the Beagle from
The purity of the breed
The time of year
Pedigree and lineage
The Beagle’s age
The Beagle’s color and markings
Breeder reputation

Keep in mind: not all factors are equal in their impact on dog prices. For example, pedigree and breeder reputation has the most influence, while the timing and age affects it the least. To learn about all of these factors in-depth, read on.

1. Where you get your Beagle affects price (retail, breeder or shelter)

Where you buy a Beagle will impact the overall cost of purchase. In the next few sections, we share a thorough list of all the places you can buy a Beagle, as well as how much it may cost to buy one at each of these places.

Pet Stores (retail)

Due to the popularity of these dogs, many reputable pet stores may sell Beagles, or will at least be able to obtain a Beagle to sell to you if you ask for one. However, some American states have banned the sale of dogs in pet stores.

At most pet stores, a Beagle will cost between $500 – $600. However, you can often get a Beagle puppy for less than this if you don’t need the puppy’s lineage papers.

Still, we don’t recommended it if you care about breed purity, as a lack of papers means no guarantee that the Beagle is purebred. Plus, lineage and pedigree gives you valuable information on the potential health of your puppy.

Reputable Breeders

Getting a Beagle from breeders will be significantly more expensive than getting a Beagle from a pet store. This is because reputable breeders carefully select lineages and mate Beagles only with the best pedigree.

A Beagle from a breeder can cost between $1,300 and $6,000. Many of these Beagles will have a pedigree, which indicates whether the dog has ancestors that exceled in a particular dog sport or competition.

If you are planning on showing your Beagle at dog shows or using your Beagle for breeding purposes, you should consider getting them from a breeder. However, not all breeders are equal – we’ll explain how to find reputable breeders later in the article.

Adoption (shelter)

If you are looking to get a Beagle for cheaper, you can consider adopting one. Beagles for adoption may be older (and sometimes senior dogs), and they may not have their lineage papers. In our opinion, giving a shelter dog a forever home is the best option.

Interestingly enough, Beagles are one of the most common dog breeds found in American shelters, according to I Heart Dogs. Most shelters are filled with Pit Bulls, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find a Beagle if you looked hard enough.

However, adopting isn’t free, as there is typically an adoption fee for adopting dogs. This may be between $50 and $250, depending on the state, city and shelter. For example, the city of Los Angeles has a maximum adoption fee of $150.

The good news is this payment can be tax-deductible if you adopt your dog from a shelter, which can “decreases” your overall cost. The adoption fee typically goes towards caring for other dogs that are up for adoption.

If you’re looking for shelters that have Beagles, check out Adopt a Pet. Enter your city and the breed, and they’ll pull up all the Beagles and Beagle mixes nearby.

2. The season you make the purchase will affect Beagle prices

In countries like America, the season you’re buying your Beagle in may impact how much it costs. Most owners prefer bringing their dogs home during the Summer and Spring when days are longer. It’s also when most people have time to look for a puppy.

Rover agrees that sunny months are best for bringing home a puppy. Warmer weather is most ideal if you plan to housebreak your puppy. Plus, longer sunny days means more time to go outside and play with the new pup you just bought.

In Fall and Winter, dogs are less in demand. So, buying a Beagle in these colder months will be cheaper. However, most breeders will keep seasons in mind when mating their dogs, so it’s harder to find a pure-bred Beagle for sale in low seasons.

3. The Beagle’s age also affects price

Beagle puppies cost more before they are two months old. That’s because breeders will charge a fee to “reserve” puppies that are not yet born! However, once a puppy crosses a few months (6 months plus), the price of the puppy will drop.

We don’t suggest bringing home a Beagle less than 7 weeks old (almost 2 months of age). You should also steer clear of breeders that offer this. The best time to raise a Beagle pup is after 8 weeks. In fact, a Beagle at the age of 3 to 4 months is a great time.

Without question, an older Beagle that is a couple of years old will also be significantly cheaper than a Beagle puppy. Indeed, some breeders will sell or even give away female Beagles that have crossed their breeding age.

4. The colors and markings of a Beagle

According to the AKC standard, Beagles can come in “any true hound colors.” Yes, it’s a bit vague. But the American Kennel Club recognizes 25 colors of Beagles such as brown, black, fawn and lemon (here are our favorite Beagle colors).

Despite the AKC recognizing that many coat colors, only 11 colors are “standard” colors for these dogs. That just means they’ll need to be one of the 11 colors to participate in official AKC competitions and shows.

However, some color combinations are “unofficially” preferred, such as the black, tan & white (tri-color). A Beagle with a more desirable coloring will generally be more expensive thanks to the principles of supply and demand.

But here’s where things can get a little tricky. The “rare” colors can also be expensive – not because they’re popular, but because unethical breeders market them as unique and rare. Those that markup rarer colors generally breed for color (more money) and not health.

5. The Beagle’s health affects price (of course)

The pedigree of your Beagle is arguably the most important factor that influences Beagle prices. This documented history of a puppy can tell you, the new owner, so much about the dog’s future health and temperament.

Beagle puppies whose ancestors show little or no health issues will cost more than those that do have health issues. And while Beagles are relatively healthy and robust dogs, they are susceptible to some ailments, such as hip dysplasia and more.

But how does a pedigree tell you health information on your Beagle’s ancestors? It’s fairly simple. For example, seeing “OFA” next to a dog on the pedigree means they suffered from hip dysplasia. You’ll also see grades: E (excellent), G (good) or F (fair).

Hip dysplasia isn’t the only health issue you can see on pedigrees. They also test for eye conditions, elbow dysplasia, and more. Make sure to thoroughly review the pedigree with the breeder and ask questions when in doubt!

6. Beagles with a champion pedigree are the most expensive

Health of the bloodline isn’t the only information you can get from your Beagle’s pedigree. In fact, the number of “champions” in your puppy’s line can also greatly affect price. It’s why some Beagles can go for several thousands.

The American Kennel Club will hold dog-sporting events annually. They hold events for agility, herding, obedience, tracking and so much more. Should a Beagle win one of these competitions, they will forever be crowned champion on the family tree.

As you may already know, Beagles are known for their superb noses and keen sense of smell in hunting. It’s not unusual to find a few tracking champions on a Beagle’s pedigree. However, expect to pay a huge premium for these puppies.

So, how do you spot a champion in the bloodline of a Beagle pup? Look for a “CH” next to a dog’s name on the pedigree. CH is the abbreviation for champion. And if your puppy does have a champion or two, who knows, maybe he’ll become the next Uno.

7. Breeder reputation is a huge factor in Beagle prices

Last but not least, breeder reputation is another huge factor that influences the price of your Beagle. Though breeders have more expensive prices in general, not all breeders are equal. Obviously, the more reputable Beagle breeders will have pricier dogs.

Spotting a reputable breeder can be tough. However, the AKC makes it a bit easier. If you live in the USA, a great way to find breeders is the AKC marketplace for Beagles. With a click of a button, you’ll have all the access to all AKC-registered breeders.

From the list, I would look for the AKC Breeder of Merit badge. According to the club, only breeders that go above and beyond receives an invitation to this prestigious program. And if you live in the UK, they have a similar program: Assured Breeder Program.

Yes, reputable breeders cost more. But, you should always purchase a Beagle from one because they’re responsible and ethical breeders. They tend to be more knowledgeable about the process and will put in more care.

Plus, the higher prices up front may actually mean your cost of Beagle ownership is lower in the long run. The inexpensive pups from non-reputable breeders may actually develop more health problems. And, we both know trips to the vet can add up.

Beagles Prices Around the World

The cost of Beagles is pretty standard around the world. Aside from the USA, Beagles are also popular pets in Canada and the United Kingdom – where they were originally bred.

Beagles in the UK cost between £400-1000. Meanwhile, Beagles in Canada cost between $500 – $1200 ⁠— similar to U.S. costs. And again, the prices can fluctuate widely based on the several factors we just discussed.

Be wary of a Beagle that’s too cheap!

If you find a Beagle that is much cheaper than the prices outlined in this guide, make sure to investigate the Beagle’s history and the seller’s background. Many dog breeds that are sold cheap are bred in extremely inhumane puppy mills.

Mid-level pet stores are infamous for getting their dogs from puppy mills, so try to get your Beagle from a reputable store or breeder. Like we mentioned, it’s better in the long run to pay more upfront.

4 Hidden Costs of Owning Beagles

Buying a Beagle is only the first cost you’ll have when you decide to bring a dog home. In reality, there are a lot of “hidden costs” to owning a Beagle. You’ll need to be aware of all these costs before deciding on owning a dog.

It’s why you find so many dogs in animal shelters – they didn’t think of the lifetime “hidden” cost of dog ownership. Here are some of the other costs to consider if you have a pet Beagle:

1. Initial Registrations

If you get a purebred Beagle, you’ll want to register it with the American Kennel Club, or the America’s Pet Registry. Registrations will help you trace your dog’s lineage and history, and they can cost between $100-200.

Many reputable breeders will include this cost when you purchase a Beagle from them. Still, you’ll need to confirm that with the breeder to prevent any miscommunication and surprise extra costs in the beginning.

It’s also important to microchip your dog so you can find him if he gets lost. Not everyone thinks this is necessary. However, it’s cheap and you should highly consider it. Microchips can cost between $25 and $50.

2. Cost of Feeding a Beagle

Beagles are very active dogs and need to eat lots of food to replenish their energy. Most of these dogs will need at the very least dry kibble from a reputable brand. And, I’ll highly stress the “reputable brand” part.

According to Roy Cruzen DVM, you should be paying around $4 per pound of quality dog food. Purchasing cheap discount dog food may save a few bucks, but could easily lead to other health problems, which means more money at the vet.

The number one reason for excessive shedding is a poor diet. People go to discount stores, buy a 40-pound bag of cheap food, and then see their pets’ shedding increase.
– Roy Cruzen DVM

Feeding them can cost between $55 – $100 a month depending on the age of the Beagle, the brand of kibble you use, and your Beagle’s health. If you’re unsure of the amount you should feed your dog, consult with your local vet.

3. Healthcare For Beagles

Most dogs need regular visits to the vet, which you should budget for. Some regular health care needs that your Beagle will have include:

De-worming
Vaccinations
Grooming
Dental care
Flea and tick treatment and prevention

There are also some conditions that Beagles are at risk of developing because of their body structure. Embrace Pet Insurance has identified some of the most common conditions that Beagles have, and the cost of treating them:

Hip Dysplasia – The cost of treating this is between $1,500 – $6,000.
Patellar Luxation – This condition affects the knee cap and may make it harder for your Beagle to walk. The cost of treating this is between $1,500 – $3,000.
Meningitis – Meningitis is a common condition that beagles have. It’s a swelling of tissues in the brain and spinal cord and can be extremely painful. The cost of treating this is between $1,500 – $4,000.

Without insurance, treating these conditions can be very costly. But then again, the cost of dog insurance isn’t always that cheap. According to Embrace, their customers pay between $34 and $51 per month.

The insurance cost can vary depending on your location and the deductible you choose in the insurance plan. Given a Beagle’s lifespan of 12 to 15 years, you may end up paying up to $9,000 throughout the dog’s lifetime!

4. Training and Supplies

You’ll also spend a fair amount of money on accessories that will keep your Beagle happy, obedient, and comfortable. These may include:

Leashes and collars
Bedding
Clicker (for training)
Treats
Toys
Water and food bowls
Brushes
Dog Crates

The American Pet Products Association has found that it can potentially cost up to $1700 a year to take care of a dog. Beagles are no exception.

Beagles are intelligent dogs and will need plenty of mental stimulation (toys, puzzles). And with a hunting background, they’ll need a decent amount of exercise each day (leash and collar) to remain happy and healthy. These are all costs you’ll need to consider.

Are Beagles Worth the Cost?

A Beagle typically costs around $500 but can cost up to $6000 if you are looking for a dog with a prized lineage. Once you bring your Beagle home, you will also be spending on food, medical expenses, pet accessories, and registration.

So, are Beagles worth it? Several of my friends own Beagles, so I may be a bit biased. But they’re truly some of the best companions in the world. They’re mild-tempered, sweet and affectionate dogs that seamlessly fit into every family.

This is the price you’ll need to pay for a world-class dog breed. All good things in life don’t come cheap, and that includes the beautiful and charming Beagle.

After considering all these costs, if you think you’re able to afford a Beagle, I suggest you start your search! A Beagle will promise you years of fun, companionship, love, and plenty of great memories.

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