| Origin | United States |
| Size | Small |
| Height | 9 to 14 inches |
| Weight | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 14 years |
| Breed Group | Designer Dog |
| Affection Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Friendliness | ⭐⭐ |
| Activity Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Barking/Howling Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pet Friendly | ⭐⭐ |
| Kid-Friendly | ⭐⭐ |
| Shedding | ⭐ |
| Easy to Groom | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Easy to Train | ⭐ |
Origin
If you have just heard about the Cheagle, this is a hybrid, designer dog that originates from the United States. From the name itself, you can instantly conclude that this dog is a cross between a Chihuahua, a tiny dog companion from Mexico that is known for its strong personality, and a Beagle which is a tracking dog from England. It is believed that the Cheagle was developed around the mid to late 1900s, but others claim that it might have already existed long before. Nevertheless, the dog has maintained its status as an excellent family companion throughout the years.
In addition, the Cheagle is a continuously popular dog that is speculated to have emerged specifically in North America. Considering all possibilities, the Cheagle can be a 50% purebred Chihuahua to a 50% Beagle. Some others can be the outcome of multi-generational crosses like mating a Cheagle with another Cheagle.
Not a lot is known about the Cheagle dog. Due to it being a mix, this one is not considered to be a breed. Also, just like most other designer dogs, no person has taken the credit for developing this hybrid dog even though countless breeders continuously work hard to provide amazing Cheagles for happy and welcoming homes and dog lovers.
Appearance
Cheagles can either be the spitting image of a Beagle or a Chihuahua or look like a perfect mix of both breeds. Because this is a hybrid dog, there is no consistency when it comes to its appearance. However, if breeders thoroughly work on developing the Cheagle more to create a distinct look, physical characteristics will be established.
Anyhow, the general features you can expect from the Cheagle is that he is a small canine, light, and easy to carry since he weighs only 9 to 14 pounds. His weight varies a lot considering that his parents consist of a small Chihuahua dog and a medium-sized Beagle, so the range of its ideal height starts from 20 to 30 pounds. He has a small, rounded head with soulful eyes in the shade of brown. There can be a soft spot present in a Cheagle’s head in some cases.
Most of the time, the dog sports a longer muzzle coming from the Beagle and a pair of upright triangular ears from the Chihuahua. On some occasions, the ears may resemble that of the Beagle. Concerning the coat type, it depends largely on what kind of Chihuahua was used in the breeding program. As you know, there are long and short-coated Chis; some have single coats while others have double coats. If the Cheagle looks more after its long-coated Chi parent, feathering may appear on its legs, ears, and tail.
Meanwhile, various color combinations are natural for the Cheagle and this includes:
Temperament
Cheagles serve no other purpose than to be companion pets. Despite the history of its Beagle parent as a hunting and tracking dog, such skills don’t seem to be showing prominently to this hybrid offspring. No doubt, the Cheagle is an amazing dog to have around, especially for those who simply don’t want to feel alone at their houses like the elderly people. Aside from this dog being a wise choice for companionship, he also possesses several personality traits many find desirable and we will discuss them more below.
Affection
Don’t be surprised to know that Cheagles are affectionate dogs! They have inherited the loving personalities of both their Chihuahua and Beagle parents. Most of the time, they will crave attention from their owners and turn into velcro dogs who will follow their owners around the house.
Although Chihuahuas can be independent, a majority of adult Beagles may develop anxiety after being left alone for too long. This combination of parents gives off the possibility of producing offspring who will act clingy and thirsty for love.
Seize each time you get to bond with your pet Cheagle. There are various ways in which you can show and make him feel that he’s being loved such as through rubbing his ears, snuggling with him, or taking him to fun, outdoor activities. There is much you can do to reciprocate the undying loyalty of this little pooch!
Friendliness
By nature, the Cheagle dog is friendly, but due to his Chihuahua heritage, there can be an instance when he’ll show aggression toward other dogs. Let’s not forget that behind the small frame of the Chihuahua is a big and dominant canine. A Cheagle who follows more after its Chihuahua parent in terms of personality is expected to act bossy and mean to others.
The explanation behind the unfriendly manner a Cheagle may exhibit is due to him being aware of how small he is compared to others. Showing aggression is somehow a defense mechanism. The perspective that those around him are bigger makes him feel nervous, intimidated, and threatened.
Fortunately, this behavior can be eradicated through early and constant socialization. A Cheagle must realize that he shouldn’t take everyone as a threat. Providing him extensive interaction as a puppy up until he matures into an adult also reassures everybody of their safety, especially if you have kids at home.
Activity Level
Surprisingly, the size of a Cheagle does not hinder him from pouring out endless energy! Ready all the games you can think of and he will always be in for those. As a naturally playful dog, it is just necessary that he gets mentally and physically stimulated every day, but be careful not to overdo it. If his snout is short like that of his Chi parent, then he will be prone to immediate overheating, so watch out carefully.
Simply go for moderate drills such as placing three upside-down cups and placing one treat in one of them. Let your Cheagle follow after the cup with the treat as you mix up their order. A “find the treat” game would also be perfect for this energetic pooch. Hide a delicious piece of snack in a room and let him sniff around until he finds it.
As an owner, you also have to keep up with his high energy levels! You can never see him lying around lazily and being a couch potato. Once in a while, bring him out to your yard and play bubbles with him. His instinct will tell him to catch each bubble before it lands on the ground. This helps in improving his balance, body coordination, and most of all, his mood!
Care
The perk of having a small dog is that it won’t be as overwhelming to take care of compared to one massive canine. A bag of food can last for a long period and grooming won’t take place for more than an hour. If you are planning to have a Cheagle, here are the things you should know concerning his needs and requirements:
Grooming
Most Cheagles, particularly the ones who have short coats, require very little grooming. Since they are not considered as working dogs nor can they do certain tasks, you can assume that they will stay clean most of the time. There may be a need to give them baths, but do not do so too frequently. Some of them can end up having dry, flaky, and irritated skin due to being constantly in contact with chemicals found in the shampoo. If you have a pool in the house and your Cheagle loves to splash and swim in it, the less the need for this dog to be washed.
Meanwhile, brushing should never be off the to-do list. Thoroughly run a slicker brush throughout his body to evenly distribute his natural oils and remove dead and loose hairs before they start flying in the air. Do this at least two to four times a week. A long-coated variety of Cheagle needs more time to detangle his hair, so go an extra mile for him. Leaving a tangled coat for too long can be very painful, so make sure you always check the condition of his coat.
Food and Diet
The most ideal food to feed a Cheagle is the one that is specially formulated for small dog breeds. You do not want him to receive a certain amount of nutrients fit for a medium or large dog or else, complications in his growth may occur. Hit the right spot by thoroughly researching how much does every meal requires for him to mature normally.
Oddly despite the size, Cheagles tend to gain weight easily. This does not sound strange, however, if you learn that Chihuahuas and Beagles are prone to obesity. The Beagles, in particular, are so in love with food and treats, so it is unsurprising why the offspring may act the same way. As a responsible owner, feed your Cheagle the right amount and avoid leaving food in his ball throughout the day.
If you have several Cheagles and one did not finish his bowl, take away the food and don’t let others clean the plate. As with all dogs, the dietary needs of a Cheagle change as he transitions from puppyhood to adulthood. A typical pooch of this kind only requires 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups of dry food daily. Consult your local vet for the right food measurement since every Cheagle has different health status, activity level, and needs in general.
Exercise
A 30-minute to one-hour walk daily will suffice for the Cheagle dog. Create a schedule for this and ensure you commit to it knowing that the pooch can gain weight effortlessly. Thankfully, with his need for an active lifestyle, it is not that hard to encourage a Cheagle to go out and play. Make it more fun by mixing in a few games he loves to take part in.
If there is anything you should not do with this hybrid dog, it would be leaving him indoors with nothing to do. A bored Cheagle will gradually start developing anxiety and other more undesirable behaviors like barking and growling excessively if he’s been ignored for too long. There is no better way to prevent this than to keep him preoccupied every day. Cheagles don’t necessarily need a yard, but take them out at an expected time or give them playtime sessions regularly.
Training
They may be up for all kinds of games, but there is one certain activity Cheagles are kind of allergic to and that’s training. The height of their energy levels does not match their desire for it. Just like their Beagle parent, Cheagles can be very stubborn. You might witness him having the small dog syndrome. This is when small dogs like them start misbehaving. Being aware of how small they are, they feel like they have the power over people and other animals because after all, they can’t do much damage, right?
Their charm works on most people, but don’t you ever get carried away and compromise their need for training. To be successful in this part, you have to be firm and consistent. Don’t let him manipulate you nor turn you into a more lenient trainer. Establish yourself as the pack leader just like how you would with big dogs, but add a soft touch to it. To make things even easier in handling such a hard-headed pooch, train him as early as possible. Puppies have this eager-to-please attitude, so take advantage of it while you can.
Health Problems
Most of the health issues a Cheagle may face are common to the Chihuahua and Beagle breed. Even if you got him from a reputable breeder, a generally healthy Cheagle can still develop complications, so it is important to have regular vet checkups and consistent dog care.
The most common medical problems for Cheagles are the following:
- Eye problems
- Heart problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Thyroid issues
- Obesity
- Hypoglycemia
- Dental problems
Pros and Cons of Having a Cheagle
Pros
- Dedicated and loyal to its owners.
- He loves to have fun!
- A good fit for active owners.
- Easy to groom.
- Does not need to eat huge amounts of food.
- Compact and easy to carry.
- Can go on a trip with you.
- Affectionate toward his family.
Cons
- He can be too stubborn to train.
- Demanding when it comes to time and attention.
- Tends to be loud and vocal like his Beagle parent.
- He needs regular exercise.
- Cannot be left alone for too long.
- Does not usually get along with other dogs.
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize the Cheagle?
Because the Cheagle is a hybrid, designer dog, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize him as an official breed. There is also no consistent look for this pooch, so for him to be eventually included in the list of dog breeds, breeders must try to develop a distinct appearance for him. Other registries, however, do acknowledge the Cheagle. We have the Designer Breed Registry, the International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Canine Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the Dog Registry of America.
Cost
Depending on the quality of the parents, a Cheagle can cost around $500 to $1,000. Breeders also consider other factors, thus the increase or decrease in price. What most influences the fee for every puppy are the age, gender, demand, location, breeder’s reputation, and genetics.
In addition, the average price of a quality Cheagle is $800. This designer dog can get even pricier, but if the seller states a too expensive price tag, that should ring the bells for you that purchasing a pup from him is a red flag. If you want to adopt, prepare to pay a fee of $75 to $150 as a charge for the expenses spent in caring for the Cheagle.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Cheagle
It can be quite difficult to look for a place to get your dream Cheagle. Being a mixed breed, you can try visiting Chihuahua or Beagle breeding facilities or rescue homes. To help you out in looking for your pet companion, we have listed below a few places worth checking. Of course, research each of them meticulously before you close the deal:
BUY
ADOPT
