How long do your hunting beagles live

[Househounds]

As some of you know I just lost my two beagles last winter and 6 and 9 years old. I am not certain why they died at what seems to be a young age to me but I have had conversations with others about feed, living conditions, running areas, and general health of dogs.

I have read that beagles are expected to live up to 12 years and I am wondering how many on here have hunting beagles that reach that age.

thanks for participating

[stavemillbeagles]

We have 4 beagles at our house now between the ages of 10-12 years old and all are doing good!

[reddog1]

Steve, on average mine live to be around 10 years. Hooch and Copper were both 12, Annie, Abbey, and Iceman were 10, Lyza was 13 others for whatever reason didn't seem to make it that long

[Swampman]

Steve,
Sport lived to just shy of 14.
Meg (Sports daughter) lived to 13.
Hammer is 11 1/2 right now and is still healthy and going crazy because Bonnie is in heat!

I will say, I keep very few to that age except for the special ones (Bonnie is making that special list).
I typically sell them or give them to a youngster around 5 years old, so I can't control their environment after they leave my kennel.
I will say though that I haven't had any reports over the years of them dying young

I do keep them vaccinated yearly with a 7-way and every 3 years with rabies.
I Ivomec them every month year-round until last year or so when I do give them a break now Dec. through March. My Vet told me that she thought it was a good idea to give them a break in the winter since Ivomec is a poison and there are no bugs or parasites that time of year up here.
The last few years I Frontline Plus them every month year-round and the lymes shot every year.

I kennel them outside year-round as well.
Fresh bedding every month, hounds are on self feeders and fresh water daily, heated water bowls in the winter.

The feed I have used over the years in order are:
Fromm
Iams Eukanuba
Canidae
American Natural Premium.
I firmly believe you get out of them what you put into them.
I would probably feed raw if I had the time.

[rabbitatfarm]

I had one die recently at around six and I have one in the house that will be 12 in a few weeks. She's getting tired. My other dogs are just two.

[Househounds]

Thanks guys, great info Rowdy, I am going to try Victor Dog Food but I never heard of American Natural Premium. I took a quick look and it looks like good stuff, I will see if I can get that around here and price it as well. Keep em coming...like to hear others ideas on this.

thanks

[gwyoung]

In all my years of breeding /owning hounds I don't think I have ever had one to live less than 12 years of age, no not one! Most seem to go at 13 and 14 years of age, though the occasional one does go a year or so longer. I have always wondered why a lot of folks seem to have hounds die at the young age of 9 or 10. At that age I am getting a heck of a lot of use out of them! I don't get much more than 12 years of good use out of any of them though as their hearing goes out at about then, I let them hang out for the rest of their lives though taking them out to run solo every now and then. I can take a picture of a 13 year old in my kennel now that looks and acts like what most folks 8 year olds look and act like , he is the picture of health in both looks and movement , but he is a little gray, and his hearing is still good enough to run with the pack! In summation, I expect that every one of them will go to at least 13, and it would be rare to have to retire one prior to 12 years of age.

[NC rabbit hunter]

I lost one last year that was 19,her sister died at 17. Lost a 6 year old female few weeks ago.She ran fine the day before,next morning she was laying dead.She appeared fine that night. I know a few guys who are lucky to get 6 years out of any dog!!!!!!

[steve w]

I have a 14 and a 13 year old now. Also have a 10 year old that can run with the younger dogs most of the time. I seem to get 12 or more years out of most that I have had.

[reddog1]

I feed mine stale hotdog buns, they love em

[Rabbithoundjb]

Most of mine live to be between 10 to 12 years old.

[likeemfast]

I have always wondered why a lot of folks seem to have hounds die at the young age of 9 or 10.

For the same reasons the same guys always having health issues with their hounds and seeking advice, they don't take care of their hounds, or don't know how to properly care for them. Take your choice.

[Swampman]

I feed mine stale hotdog buns, they love em

Steve, we know his hounds aren't getting the donuts, he has dibs on them for himself whether he'll admit to it or not!

[rackhntr]

I had a good black n tan coonhound that lived to be 16!

[reddog1]

I feed mine stale hotdog buns, they love em

Steve, we know his hounds aren't getting the donuts, he has dibs on them for himself whether he'll admit to it or not!

I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations brought forth against me