The Cheagle is an adorable dog with an adorable name. It’s a cross between two equally cute dogs—the Beagle and the Chihuahua. Beagles are famous for their joyous and friendly dispositions, and Chihuahuas are known for their “small dog with a big personality” personas.

The Cheagle takes some of the bad and a lot of the good from both of its parents and is a unique dog that makes a wonderful family pet.

Breed Overview

Cheagles are small dogs that are usually shorthaired, but because there are longhaired Chihuahuas, there might be some variations in the length of the coat. Depending on which parent they take after the most, they might have a long Beagle snout and long, droopy ears or a shorter Chihuahua nose and smaller triangular ears.

Cheagles might be tricolored like the Beagle in white, brown, and black, but they might also be almost any solid color.

Cheagle Characteristics

Cheagle Puppies

The Cheagle is a pretty energetic and healthy hybrid. Both the Beagle and the Chihuahua have long lifespans, so the Cheagle might live longer than some other breeds. The Beagle and the Chihuahua are also known to be stubborn and difficult to train, so you might expect the same for the Cheagle, but they tend to be very friendly dogs.

These pups are highly intelligent and loving to their families. Be ready for long playing sessions and mental stimulation to avoid boredom for your Cheagle. Keep them healthy by feeding them high-quality dog food and taking them to their regular vet checkups.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cheagle 🧠

The Cheagle is a very loving, playful, and devoted dog that brings together the sweet and friendly nature of the Beagle with the compact feistiness of the Chihuahua into one dog. They can be very social and outgoing dogs that will be very devoted and loving with their families.

Both the Chihuahua and Beagle are intelligent dogs that tend to be quite stubborn, so you can expect much of the same with the Cheagle. We previously discussed that they are also barkers, so when you combine that trait with their loyal and protective natures, they will also make excellent watchdogs.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Cheagles are amazing family dogs—but only with older children. Beagles are renowned for getting along very well with children of all ages, but the smaller size of the Cheagle means younger children will need to be supervised at all times (which should be the case, regardless of the dog’s size or temperament).

You should always educate your children about treating dogs with respect—never allow your children to ride your dog like a horse or pull on her ears and tail.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

This partly depends on which parent the Cheagle takes after the most. Beagles are pack animals and typically get along very well with other dogs and pets, while the Chihuahua is more likely to be somewhat aggressive with other dogs. They want to be the only dog in the house and aren’t afraid to be bossy.

The Cheagle could go either way, so early socialization is crucial in order to ensure your pup will get along with everyone in the household nicely.

Things to Know When Owning a Cheagle

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Cheagles are small, active dogs, so you’ll need to start by finding a high-quality dog food that is designed for your pup’s current age, size, and activity level. Cheagles might be prone to obesity, so be careful with how many treats you feed her.

Also, try following the guidelines on the food bag about how much and how often she needs to be fed daily. Consult your vet if you’re ever concerned about your Cheagles weight.

Exercise 🐕

Cheagles are very high-energy dogs. Both the Beagle and the Chihuahua have a ton of energy so expect to take your Cheagle out for 40 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can include shorter walks broken up over the day as well as energetic playtime like playing fetch.

It’s best to keep this pup on a leash anytime you’re outside as the Beagle has a high-prey drive, and your Cheagle will more than likely give chase after any small animals.

Training 🎾

Training could be a challenge. While Cheagles are very loyal and smart dogs, they are also quite stubborn. Beagle stubbornness comes from their scent-hound blood—they are eager to please, but they are single-minded when they catch a scent. Chihuahua stubbornness essentially comes from their little dog with a big dog attitude, and they tend to choose to do things their own way.

Train your Cheagle with a lot of patience and with a firm but gentle hand. They are also typically very food-oriented. You need to establish your status as alpha as soon as you bring your dog home. Early socialization is also vital. If your Cheagle takes after her Chihuahua parent, she might be aggressive with other dogs. Taking obedience classes would be very beneficial for this breed.

Grooming ✂️

Cheagles tend to have short coats that will shed, particularly during the fall and spring shedding season. They just need to be brushed about 2 or 3 times a week, but if your Cheagle has a longer coat, more frequent brushings will be necessary. Use a high-quality dog shampoo but only bathe your pup when it’s necessary. They are prone to dry and irritated skin if bathed too often.

The Cheagle’s nails must be trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks, her teeth brushed 2 to 3 times a week, and clean her ears every week.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cheagle is a healthy dog overall, but there’s always the possibility that she might inherit some of the health conditions of her purebred Beagle and Chihuahua parents. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be familiar with some of the health issues of these breeds.

The veterinarian will run a thyroid test and check the Cheagle’s eyes, ears, and skin.

Male vs Female

The Cheagle can weigh about 9 to 20 pounds and is 9 to 14 inches in height. The female dog tends to be a little smaller and lighter than the male, which might be the case with the Cheagle. But it also ultimately depends on which parent she takes after the most since Beagles are larger than Chihuahuas.

Then you need to consider the surgery. Female dogs need to be spayed (unless you’re a breeder) to stop unwanted pregnancies. This operation is a more complicated one as compared to neutering male dogs and will, therefore, be more expensive. The female also needs a longer recovery time.

Lastly, it’s thought that there is a difference in temperament between male and female dogs. Some believe that male dogs are more aggressive, territorial, and less affectionate than females. However, it can be argued that the behaviors and personalities of all dogs are truly determined by their training, socialization, and general treatment since they were puppies.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cheagle

1. The Cheagle Will Enjoy a Good Barking Session

Both the Beagle and the Chihuahua are known barkers—Beagles because they are hunting dogs and Chihuahuas because they are protective and territorial. This almost guarantees your Cheagle will be a barker.

2. The Cheagle Is Formally Recognized

But not through the American Kennel Club, of course. They aren’t purebred but have been around since the 1990s and are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry, the Designer Breed Registry, and the American Canine Hybrid Club.

3. The Cheagle Has More Than One Name

For such a small dog, it has more names than many other dogs. Other than Cheagle, it’s also known as the Beagle Chi, Chi-Beagle, and Chibea.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read all about the Cheagle, you’ve decided that you are interested in finding one. You can start by looking for Beagle and Chihuahua breeders and speaking to them about your interest in a Cheagle.

You can also attend dog shows and contact the designer dog registries and clubs where you might find a breeder. And, of course, there’s posting on social media. And don’t forget to think about adoption! Many of these hybrid dogs end up in rescue groups and are in need of a good home.

The Cheagle is a cute dog with a big personality that will love spending time on your lap almost as much as running and playing. If you are lucky enough to find one to bring home, you will have a devoted and loving companion for many years.

We have even more Beagle and Chihuahua Mixes for you to take a look at!

Featured Image Credit: Left- Piqsels | Right – Andrey_and_Lesya, Pixabay