Medium12.5 yr avg
Beagle
AKC · Hound
View breedComparison
Beagle vs Dachshund
Side-by-side comparison from peer-reviewed sources. Lifespan and health figures draw on Royal Veterinary College VetCompass and AKC breed data.
At a glance
Side-by-side
The numbers that most change day-to-day care. A citrus border marks a meaningful advantage.
Medium
Beagle
Lifespan12.5 yrrange 12–13
SizeMedium
Weight10–30 lb4.5–13.6 kg
Height13–15 in33–38.1 cm
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11
AKC groupHound
Energy4/560 min/day
Trainability3/5
Shedding3/5
With kids5/5
With other dogs5/5
Medium
Dachshund
Lifespan13.2 yrrange 13–14
SizeMedium
Weight11–32 lb5–14.5 kg
Height5–9 in12.7–22.9 cm
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11
AKC groupHound
Energy3/545 min/day
Trainability4/5
Shedding2/5
With kids3/5
With other dogs4/5
Health
Common health issues
Top 3 prevalence-ranked conditions for each breed. See each breed's full health profile for screening schedules and source data.
Beagle
- Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr
Hypothyroidism
Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr
Patellar Luxation
Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Dachshund
- High prevalencetypical onset ~5 yr
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Description and veterinary guidance for Intervertebral Disc Disease land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~6 yr
Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram)
Description and veterinary guidance for Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram) land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Synthesis
Which is right for you?
Beagle and Dachshund have similar median lifespans, around 12.9 years.
Both are medium-sized breeds, so housing footprint and exercise planning read similarly.
Energy levels are close, with a slight edge to the Beagle (60 min/day of directed exercise).
Beagles rate higher for household-with-kids compatibility (5/5).
Dachshunds carry a heavier breed-specific health burden (1 high-prevalence conditions vs 0 for the Beagle). Budget for screening accordingly.