Do beagles shed a lot?

Beagles are moderate, year-round shedders with a short double coat, and they shed more heavily in spring and fall. They're not hypoallergenic. A weekly brush (more during seasonal blows) keeps loose hair and dander under control.

How often should I bathe a beagle?

Only every couple of months, or when they're genuinely dirty. Beagles have naturally healthy skin and over-bathing strips protective oils. They do have a characteristic 'houndy' odor; regular brushing and clean ears manage it better than frequent baths.

How do I clean a beagle's ears?

Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner and cotton pads (never cotton swabs deep in the canal). Check ears weekly and clean when you see wax or smell odor, and always dry them after baths or swimming. Their long, floppy ears trap moisture and are prone to infection.

Beagle Grooming: Shedding, Those Ears & the Houndy Smell

Disclosure: The Beagle Authority is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are based on genuine research and hands-on testing — see our editorial standards.

Beagles are, by dog standards, low-maintenance to groom, with one glaring exception that outranks everything else: the ears. Get the ears right and the rest is easy.

The coat: short, double, and always shedding a little

A beagle’s short double coat sheds moderately all year and blows more heavily in spring and fall. A weekly brush with a bristle brush or rubber curry removes loose hair and spreads skin oils; step it up to a few times a week during seasonal sheds. No haircuts, no clipping; the coat looks after itself.

Best for shedding

Zoom Groom Rubber Curry Brush

A rubber curry pulls loose undercoat from a short double coat far better than a bristle brush, and beagles tend to love the massage. Cheap, and it noticeably cuts the hair that ends up on your couch during a seasonal blow.

~$8 Check price on Amazon

Bathing: less is more

Bathe only every month or two, or when your beagle has found something disgusting to roll in (they will). Over-bathing dries the skin. The faint “houndy” smell beagles carry is normal and is managed far better by brushing and ear care than by more baths.

The ears: the one job you cannot skip

Those iconic long, low ears are also a design flaw: they seal off the ear canal, trap moisture, and create a warm, dark space where yeast and bacteria thrive. Ear infections are one of the most common health problems in the breed. Check ears weekly, clean them when you see wax or smell an odor, and always dry them thoroughly after a bath or a swim.

Most important grooming buy

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner

A gentle, drying cleanser vets reach for. Weekly use keeps moisture out of those long, floppy ears, which is the single best defence against the breed's most common infection. If you buy one grooming product for a beagle, make it this.

~$18 Check price on Amazon

Nails and teeth

Trim nails every few weeks; if you can hear clicking on the floor, they’re too long. A nail grinder is more forgiving than clippers if you (or the dog) are nervous about quicking. Brush teeth several times a week or use vet-approved dental chews; small breeds are prone to dental disease.

Best for nervous nail trims

Dremel Cordless Dog Nail Grinder

Grinding takes the edge off in small, controllable passes, so there's far less risk of cutting the quick than with clippers. For a wriggly, food-focused beagle, pairing it with a lick mat of peanut butter turns nail day from a fight into a routine.

~$35 Check price on Amazon

Part of the Complete Beagle Guide. See also the beagle health guide and our beagle gear picks.