Cheagle

Canis lupus

Last updated: May 23, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Danae Abreu/Shutterstock.com

Some Cheagles have an excellent sense of smell.


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Cheagle Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Cheagle Conservation Status

Cheagle Locations

Cheagle Locations

Cheagle Facts

Fun Fact
Some Cheagles have an excellent sense of smell.
Temperament
Loyal, outgoing, and charismatic
Diet
Omnivore

Cheagle Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Black
  • White
  • Cream
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
10 and 14 years
Weight
20 lbs

Cheagle as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
High
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Warm climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$500 to $1,200
Dog group
Non-sporting
Male weight
9-20 lbs
Female weight
9-20 lbs

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The Cheagle may inherit a keen sense of smell and strong hunting instincts from the Beagle.

The Cheagle is a feisty, charismatic little dog that mixes together many characteristics of a Chihuahua and a Beagle. At first glance, this might seem like a strange cross. The Chihuahua is a toy dog with a big and charming personality. Its lineage dates back to pre-Columbian Mexico. The Beagle, by contrast, is an energetic and happy-go-lucky pack hound. With a history that goes back to at least the 11th century, it was originally bred to track down deer and hare.

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Despite being a 50/50 mix between a Beagle and Chihuahua, this crossbreed will not necessarily inherit traits in equal proportion. Most of these dogs will have broad and rounded heads with expressive brown eyes. It may inherit the long and wide muzzle of the Beagle or the short and pointed muzzle of the Chihuahua. The ears can likewise be erect or floppy. Most, but not all, Cheagles will have a short, shiny double coat of fur, sometimes accompanied by featherings around the ears, legs, and tail. The fur is usually a combination of black, white, cream, and brown.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

ProsCons
Loyal
The Cheagle forms a deep bond with its owners.
Stubborn
The Cheagle might inherit a slight stubborn streak from the Chihuahua.
Charismatic and Fun-Loving
This dog loves to engage in fun activities and playtime.
Demanding
This dog will demand a lot of its owner’s time and attention.
Active
This is a good choice for owners with an active lifestyle.
Loud and Vocal
This dog has a tendency to bark.
Cheagle playing at the river

The Cheagle is a high-energy, very loyal dog that loves to play and get attention.

©Danae Abreu/Shutterstock.com



Size and Weight

The Cheagle is a small dog, usually weighing somewhere between the Beagle and the Chihuahua. The small size is obviously influenced by the fact that the Chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds in the world. The so-called teacup Chihuahuas, the smallest dogs of all, weigh only about a pound. They are obviously named for the fact that they will fit inside of a teacup. The Cheagle is rarely the size of a teacup, but it can weigh as little as 9 pounds.

Height (Male)9 to 14 inches
Height (Female)9 to 14 inches
Weight (Male)9 to 20 pounds
Weight (Female)9 to 20 pounds

Common Health Issues

Just like its two parent breeds, the Cheagle may have the tendency to suffer from heart disease, cancer, mange, thyroid problems, obesity, eye infections, and hip dysplasia (a developmental disorder that causes the hip to become dislocated in its socket).

Health and Entertainment for your Cheagle

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Another potential problem is a degenerative spinal condition called intervertebral disc disease. This can lead to pain and weakness in dogs. Good breeders will always try to screen their dogs for potential health problems, but it is impossible to eliminate all risks. A regular checkup at the vet is necessary to catch problems as early as possible. This will lead to better outcomes in the long run.

In summation, there are the most common health problems:

  • Obesity
  • Heart Disease
  • Mange
  • Eye Infections
  • Cancer

Temperament

Cheagle playing outside

A cheagle forms a deep bond with its owner, and its tendency to bark at strange people and sounds make it a good watchdog.

©Danae Abreu/Shutterstock.com

The Cheagle is a loyal and fun-loving mix with a sassy and charismatic personality. As a great people-oriented dog, it should form a deep bond with its owner, but be aware that its behavior can vary widely based on what traits it inherits from the parents. Some individuals may be more of a toy dog like the Chihuahua.

Other individuals may inherit a strong prey drive and hunting instinct from their Beagle parent that can cause it to chase around smaller pets and animals. This can be partially mitigated with proper training, but some individuals are always more likely to chase after animals than others, so you should be cautious when letting them off the leash. Despite its high energy level, the Cheagle should do reasonably well in apartments and indoor spaces. The dog’s tendency for barking at suspicious sounds and people makes it a good choice for a watchdog as well.

Care

While the Cheagle is by no means an easy dog to care for, it should be a good choice for all types of owners, whether experienced, novice, or first-time, who want an energetic and intelligent hybrid. Owners might want to consider investing in a crate, plenty of toys, and some winter clothing (this dog may be vulnerable to cold weather). Also, consider spaying or neutering your dog if this has not already been done. If you have any other questions or concerns, then you should consult with your vet.

Best Dog Food

A full-grown adult Cheagle will need about a cup of high-quality dry food preferably divided up into two meals a day to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Puppies should be fed calorie-dense, high protein food around three or four meals a day to support their rapidly growing bodies. Of course, the exact amount will depend on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Since this mix is prone to obesity, owners should carefully monitor its calorie intake. Do not feed it a lot of treats and scraps throughout the day.

Since heart disease is one of the most common conditions in Cheagles, owners should educate themselves on legume-free dog foods that work around the link between legumes and heart failure in dogs. Always consult the vet about your dog’s health and dietary needs.

Our choice at A-Z Animals for the best dog food for Cheagles is Inception Complete and Balanced Meat First Legume Free Dry Dog Food.

We support feeding Cheagles this food because of its focus on pure animal protein and its exclusion of heart-endangering and obesity-causing ingredients like legumes, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Instead, this nutrient-dense food has taurine that contributes to a healthy heart, with meat as the first ingredient, so your dog will stay food rather than overeating.

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Inception Dry Dog Food – Complete and Balanced Dog Food – Meat First Legume Free Dry Dog Food
  • INCEPTION IS PROTEIN FIRST – Inception is formulated with animal protein first to serve your canine companions’ needs. We understand your canine companions are carnivore first, omnivore second and thrive with good animal protein in their diets. At Inception, we ensure our first two ingredients are animal protein.
  • INCEPTION CHICKEN FORMULA - Our Inception Chicken recipe contains chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein providing high-quality, essential amino acids, and trace minerals. Chicken is a “protein-dense” ingredient, meaning that it provides a lot of protein compared to fat in a given amount of meat. This makes it an excellent source of protein that may help in weight control because fat contains more calories than protein. Chicken is high in vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B5. It’s also a great source of selenium and phosphorus.
  • INCEPTION IS LEGUME FREE – Inception formulas are free of legumes, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. We want to give your canine companions everything they need for a long and happy life with you.


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Maintenance and Grooming

Adorable tri color Chichuahua Beagle (Cheagle) mix

Cheagles have short hair, so they are light shedders that need only two to four brushings per week.

©Danae Abreu/Shutterstock.com

As a light shedder, the Cheagle only needs about two to four brushings per week to remove dead hairs and distribute some of the natural oils throughout the fur. Because of the dog’s tendency to develop dry and irritated skin, it should only receive baths on occasion when it becomes particularly dirty. If the dog has longer hair than normal, then it may require some extra time to work out tangles in the fur by hand. Owners should also strive to cut the nails, clean out the ears, and brush the teeth on a regular basis.

Training

Since the Cheagle will benefit from a sense of direction and discipline, the training process should be as much about boundary setting as anything else. Let your dog know when it has crossed a line of bad behavior, but always keep in mind that the Cheagle is sensitive to the sound of your voice, so positive reinforcement methods in the form of praise and treats work best. Most of all, owners need to be consistent with their commands. Otherwise, you will only confuse your dog and complicate the process. If you are struggling to train your dog, then you should try to find a professional in your area who can help you.

Exercise

The Cheagle needs only about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should be satisfied with short, leisurely walks and indoor playtime. If your dog inherited some hunting instincts from the Beagle, then you may want to throw in some scent activities as well. It is always a good idea to have an enclosed yard or nearby dog park so you can let it run around freely without a leash. However, if your dog has inherited a short snout, then it might be vulnerable to respiratory issues; don’t let this dog overexert itself.

Puppies

Adorable nine week old Chihuahua Beagle (Cheagle) mix laying down

This 9-week-old cheagle puppy should start training and socialization at 12-16 weeks.

©Danae Abreu/Shutterstock.com

In order to become a well-behaved full-grown adult, Cheagle puppies will need to begin training and socialization within the first three to four months of age. Despite their potential stubborn streak, they are usually quite good about following their owners’ orders. A crate can help a bit with housebreaking, but this is not strictly necessary.

In order to find a good puppy, owners should always do business with reputable breeders who screen their puppies for health problems. If you can, you should ask the breeders for proof of their dogs’ health. While puppy mills and pet stores have a lower price, their puppies are also more likely to have health problems, which can lead to more problems in the long run. The 12-week mark is generally the ideal time to buy a dog.

Children

The Cheagle is a great companion for kids of different ages. But because its small size and frail body, it might not be appropriate for the smallest children who do not understand how to handle these dogs.

Similar Dogs

If you are a fan of the Cheagle, then you might find plenty of things to like about the following breeds:

  • American Foxhound – Originally bred for the thoroughly English tradition of foxhunting, the American Foxhound is more of a pure hunter than the Cheagle mix. Nevertheless, it has a sweet, affectionate, and easy-going personality.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – A favorite of the British nobility, the King Charles is a gentle, dignified toy breed with spunky energy and athleticism that should thrill highly engaged and attentive owners.
  • Pomeranian – If you’re looking for a toy dog like the Chihuahua, then it’s often been said that the Pomeranian is an ideal companion. This small, bold, vivacious, affectionate, and fun-loving breed has a cute, expressive face and a cuddly coat of long orange or red fur. It will demand some time and effort to care for, however.

Popular Names for the Cheagle

If you are struggling to find a name for your new Cheagle, then you might want to consider one of the following options:

  • Charlie
  • Bella
  • Cooper
  • Coco
  • Peanut
  • Lucy
  • Daisy
  • Bailey
  • Luna
  • Chloe

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

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Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
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Should they be Hypoallergenic?

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No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?

Cheagle FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a Cheagle?

A Cheagle is an eclectic mix between a Chihuahua and a Beagle. While it may inherit some of the hunting instincts of the Beagle, this hybrid is a good household companion in many other respects. It has a friendly, affectionate, outgoing, charismatic, and even a bit sassy temperament.

How big will a Cheagle get?

A full-grown Cheagle will rarely grow larger than 20 pounds and 14 inches at shoulder height.

Are Cheagles aggressive?

A well-treated Cheagle will exhibit almost no aggression toward people, but some dogs may have the tendency to chase after smaller animals.

What is the price? of a Cheagle

The price of the Cheagle can be anywhere between $200 and $1,500. Dogs with an exceptionally strong heritage will tend to cost a lot more than average. But dogs adopted from a shelter or rescue will tend to cost a lot less than usual. There aren’t any Cheagle-specific rescue groups, but you may be able to find one at a Chihuahua or Beagle rescue that takes in crossbreed dogs.

Are Cheagles smart?

Yes, Cheagles have a keen intelligence. They can learn a wide variety of different tricks, commands, and tasks.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Doggie Designer, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/cheagle/
  2. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/cheagle

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