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Do you know why designer dogs are becoming popular nowadays?
It’s because designer dogs are bred to get the best qualities of their full-breed parents.
The traits acquired from the parents make designer dogs better at their purpose, whether working, hunting, or companion dogs.
And if you’re thinking of getting a designer breed yourself, then I've got you covered.
Meet the Cheagle dog.
The Cheagle is a crossbreed between the Chihuahua and Beagles, two of the most popular breeds ever!
So, for this blog, I want to talk about everything there is to know about the Beagle Chihuahua mix.
We’ll be talking about:
- Cheagle History
- Physical Features
- Care and Needs
- Temperament and Personality
Are you ready to learn more about the Chihuahua Beagle mix?
Then let’s start!
Cheagle History
Designer breeds like Cheagles were intentionally cross-breeded between popular breeds.
So, to know the history of the Cheagle dog, we also need to understand how its parent breeds, the Chihuahuas and Beagles, became popular.
One of the parent pure breeds of this mix is the Beagle, known for rabbit tracking and hunting in England.
Its ancestor breeds act like wild dogs and lack some domesticating traits in them.
At around this time, the Beagles perfected their hunting instincts, but they weren’t suited as companions yet.
It wasn’t until 1860 that Beagles were bred with a well-tempered English breed to make them more companionable dogs.
Soon, the breed was imported to the US, where Americans loved its agility and obedience traits.
In 1885, the American Kennel Club finally recognized the beagles.
Another full-breed parent of this crossbreed was the Chihuahua.
Chihuahua is a small companion dog that’s native to Mexico.
Its ancestor breed, however, was a larger version of modern Chihuahuas that were bred by the Toltec civilization.
It was the Aztecs that refined the breed and the Spaniards who drove it to the brink of extinction.
Luckily, a lot of the Chihuahua dogs that lived in remote villages survived until the Americans discovered them.
After their discovery, Chihuahuas quickly gained worldwide fame and was recognized by AKC in 1904.
Both the Beagles and Chihuahuas grew to become two of the most popular dog breeds in the 20th century.
Their popularity is what led breeders in the '90s to crossbreed the two popular dogs, resulting in Cheagles.
Despite being a designer breed, Cheagles has been recognized by The Dog Registry of America, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the International Canine Registry.
Cheagle Physical Traits
Being a crossbreed from two popular parent breeds, this Chihuahua Beagle mix is a playful-looking dog character inside your house!
Here are some facts about its physical traits that you need to know.
Weight and Height
Since a Cheagle dog is a Beagle mix with a Chihuahua, much work must be done to standardize the breed properly.
But the typical Cheagle size falls in the small dog category.
The Beagle Chihuahua cross can reach a height between 9 to 14 inches and can weigh 20 to 30 pounds.
This breed’s height and weight mean that Cheagle dogs are larger than their Chihuahua parents but a tad shorter than Beagles.
Compared to Chihuahuas, their body is similar to the Beagle’s, which is longer and taller.
Coat
Before discussing the Cheagle’s fur coat, we first have to discuss the types of fur coats of its parent breed.
Between the two parent breeds, the Beagle has a more consistent type of fur coat as it is a short, smooth, dense double coat.
With Chihuahuas, you can expect two fur coat variations of the breed: the short and long coats.
And if that’s not yet confusing to you, wait till you hear that Chihuahuas can have either single or double-coat fur!
What this means for Cheagle’s fur is that they can have a combination of short, long, single, or double coat fur!
Often, the Beagle Chihuahua mix breed will have short and smooth coats unless its Chihuahua pedigree is double-coated or has long furs.
But that’s not all!
Cheagles’ fur color also comes as combinations of brown, black, white, and cream.
Cheagle dogs can rarely have a solid coat color since their Beagle parents are tricolored as they already are.
Distinct Features
A Cheagle is a Beagle Chihuahua mix, so expect that it’ll get distinct features from both of its parent breeds.
The Chihuahua Beagle mix breed has a head shape that’s broad and round, while its eyes are round and saucy.
And that’s not the only physical trait that Cheagles got from their Chihuahua parents.
Typical Cheagles have long muzzles, although some can have short and pointy muzzles, which is a trait of a Chihuahua.
As for its ears, you rarely see a Chihuahua Beagle that has a pointy ear.
You’ll often see this dog breed having the droopy type of ears instead.
Finally, some Beagle Chihuahua mix breeds may or may not have a molera or the Chihuahua’s soft spot on its forehead.
Cheagle Temperament
Now, let’s talk about the Cheagle temperament.
The Beagle Chihuahua mix is one of the most friendly and outgoing crossbreeds that you’ll meet.
Their Beagle parents are pack dog types, and Chihuahuas are an attention-demanding breed.
With this power combo of temperament, expect that this crossbreed thrives by becoming affable with doggy peers or familiar faces.
This makes them great house dogs or companion dogs to have around.
On strangers, however, Cheagles can become wary and agitated.
This problem can be easily avoided when you train them to socialize during their pup stage.
Socializing at an early age can help them get used to new faces.
One thing to note about Cheagles is sometimes they inherit their parent's Beagle’s prey instinct.
This means even at their minute stature; they may try to dominate, harm, or prey on toddlers and small kids.
And the Chihuahua Beagle dogs are not really recommended for a family with small children.
Children who don’t know how to handle or interact with small and delicate pets can harm them just because they are larger than the pets.
RELATED: 20 Most Friendly Dog Breeds in the World
Are Cheagles Barkers?
Do Cheagle dogs bark a lot?
Yes, Cheagles are known barkers because they come from a family tree of barking dog breeds.
Chihuahuas are expressive breeds that often bark to convey their emotions.
Beagles are barkers, especially when they’re used for hunting purposes.
Acquiring the trait from both pure breeds, the Chihuahua Beagle mix makes a great watchdog inside the premises.
RELATED: 20 Most Talkative Dog Breeds That Bark Often
Living with a Cheagle
Here’s what you can expect when living with a Beagle and Chihuahua mix.
Cheagles are small dog breeds, so they can easily adapt to the living conditions of their owners.
Do you own a standard house and a sizable lawn? Good! That’s the perfect living setup for them.
Even better are fenced yards that can give them more freedom to roam around while still containing them in an area.
Occasionally, you can take your dog for a nature trip, hike, or forest trail.
A farm, ranch, or pasture grass is also great for your dogs but unnecessary.
Cheagles fit better as indoor lapdogs like their Chihuahua parents, who weren’t bred for hard fieldwork.
So, no matter how high-spirited these breeds are, they would still prefer and pick retreating inside.
Finally, take note that the Beagle Chihuahua dogs are not suitable for extreme or harsh weather conditions, be it hot or cold.
Most Cheagles have a fur coat type similar to the short fur Chihuahua, so that’s not enough fur to protect their delicate skin.
Are Cheagles Good Apartment Dogs?
Renting from an apartment complex? No problem!
Cheagles can still fit in with your apartment lifestyle or city life.
Just be sure that this Beagle Chihuahua mix gets the minimum amount of exercise, even at an apartment setup.
Another thing that you should consider is how a Cheagle dog barks loudly.
Their barks can upset and disturb the whole neighborhood.
So, unless you’ve trained them to minimize their excessive barks, Cheagles may not be a better fit in your apartment setup.
RELATED: Excessive Barking in Dogs: How To Handle It?
Cheagle Health
Generally, Cheagle dogs are healthy breeds despite being designer breeds themselves.
It’s up to the owners to give the proper care that this crossbreed needs from its pup stage to seniority.
So, if you want to own a Chihuahua Beagle dog, you must know some health-related information to keep them alive and well.
Lifespan
The Cheagle's lifespan is about 10 to 14 years.
This means you can spend time with them for almost a decade.
But the life expectancy of this Beagle Chihuahua mix is only achievable if you maintain proper care of your dog.
It’s also important to schedule a routine checkup with your local veterinarian to address your dog’s health concerns.
Health Problems
Yes, the Beagle Chihuahua mix is predisposed to specific health issues. A lot of them came from purebreed parents.
Some of their most common health problems are Hip Dysplasia, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and Patellar Luxation.
Of course, that’s not to say that those are the only health concerns that you should look out for when owning a Cheagle dog.
Hip Dysplasia on the Beagle and Chihuahua mix:
- Is a common health issue across many dogs
- Is a condition where there is an abnormal or uneven ball-and-socket joint growth
- Can lead to limping and even lameness
Hip dysplasia is incurable, but vets recommend undergoing your dog to therapies and medical prescriptions to alleviate the pain.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis for Cheagle:
- Is a specific hypothyroidism
- Is a disease where the dog’s immune system doesn’t recognize its thyroid
- Is a condition where the immune system undermines the functions of the thyroid
- Causes a significant reduction of thyroid hormones, which would impede normal body functions
Autoimmune thyroiditis requires your dog to have a formulated diet, supplement, and possible maintenance to balance the hormones.
Patellar Luxation on a Chihuahua Beagle mix:
- Is an orthopedic condition where the patella dislocates out of the femur
- Has symptoms like skipping, limping, hopping, and kicking the leg
Patellar luxation has different levels or grades, and all of them have corresponding treatments to cure it.
Consult your vet to know the right treatment for your dog's luxation.
Nutrition
When it comes to feeding this breed, make sure that their diet is proportionate to their weight.
Since Beagle Chihuahua dogs are small breeds, they don’t require as much dog food as a large breed like a Cane Corso.
In fact, Cheagle owners record giving a maximum of 1 ½ cups of dog food to their pets.
Overfeeding them can lead to obesity, sluggishness, and other health complications.
We also recommend giving your dry dog food since Cheagles are susceptible to oral diseases, too.
Cheagle Grooming
When it comes to grooming, the Cheagle is a low-maintenance type of breed.
Whether your Chihuahua Beagle mix has short fur or long ones, they’re quite easy to make them look their very best.
Here are some grooming practices that you need to do for your canine pal.
Brushing Fur
Rejoice! Shedding will not become a problem when you own a Cheagle.
Whether it has a long or short fur coat, your Cheagle dog sheds less fur than how much an average dog does.
Since many Cheagles are single-coated, they don’t have the dense undercoat beneath that dogs easily shed.
But regardless of your Cheagle’s type of fur, brushing should be mandatory in your grooming routine.
Brushing their hair every other day can remove excess fur and control how much your Cheagle can still shed.
And if your dog has double-coated fur, you should run a de-matting comb on their coat to help detangle those matted fur.
RELATED: Dog Shedding Tools: Tips on Choosing the Best Dog Brush
Bath Time
Does your Cheagle dog need to take daily baths?
No, Cheagles don’t need to take a bath every day.
In fact, you’ll be doing this breed a disservice if you make them bathe every day.
Regularly bathing them removes the natural body oil that coats their fur and makes them clean and shiny.
With frequent baths, Cheagles are prone to developing dry and flaky skin, which easily becomes irritated during hot seasons.
Instead, bathe them every three to four weeks, as this is a minimum bath to keep their skin and fur healthy.
Cleaning Ears
More often, the Chihuahua Beagle mix has folding V-shaped ears than pointy ones.
The problem with this type of ear is they invite and house bacteria that may soon infect your dog’s ears.
That’s why cleaning its ears is also an important grooming process for Cheagles.
A commercial ear-cleaning solution and a large cotton ball would do just fine to wipe out the dirt, wax, debris, and bacteria inside your dog’s ears.
RELATED: Dog Ears 101: How to Care for Them and Prevent Problems
Trimming Nail
Trimming nails is one of the most neglected aspects of grooming, but it shouldn’t be this way.
Keeping their nails nice and short prevents foot deformities and excruciating pain.
Short nails avoid future accidents from long and sharp nails.
To trim your dog's nails, make sure to only cut the pointy tip of its nails at a 45-degree angle.
This helps trim the pointed nails while still avoiding cutting your dog’s quick open.
Maintain your dog’s short nails short and trim them every three to four weeks.
If you are still inexperienced or scared that you may cut your dog’s nails too short, have a professional groomer do it for you.
RELATED: How to Cut Your Dog's Nails Correctly
Cheagle Exercise
You probably are thinking: Cheagles are indoor dogs, so the need for physical activity is almost non-existent.
The thing is this: they may be lap dogs, but they also have enormous stamina at their disposal.
And without some sort of physical activity, they would need to spend it somewhere else.
This is where this breed resorts to destructive behaviors to itself or around the house.
Further, a Beagle and Chihuahua mix can become fat and obese if you don’t exercise these dogs.
The lack of exercise can also result in Cheagles suffering from further joint problems when they get old.
And we don’t want all of this to happen, right?
That’s why an exercise regimen is extremely important to this type of dog breed.
Some of the activities that I recommend are dog walks, fetch, and dog agility sports.
Dog Walks
If you don’t know exactly where to start with exercising a Chihuahua Beagle, try dog walks.
Dog walks can be your starting point because they're undemanding but can still exercise your dog.
And with Cheagles who don’t require a vigorous regimen, they would enjoy casually strolling around the neighborhood.
Dog Agility
If your Cheagle breed is hyperactive but is intelligent to respond favorably in training sessions, you may want to do an agility sport with them.
Dog agility is a sport where your dog needs to finish going through all sorts of obstacles.
It’s a vigorous activity that requires your dog’s cooperation and responsiveness to complex commands.
When done right, not only would you be meeting their exercise requirements, but you would also be stimulating their minds.
RELATED: Dog Agility Competition: Pros and Cons
Fetch
Fetch involves throwing a ball at a distance and letting the dog retrieve it.
This game is a perfect physical activity for Cheagles since the game allows you and your dog to interact and foster bonds.
RELATED: How To Train A Dog To Fetch: An Easy-To-Follow Video Guide
Cheagle Training
Cheagles are exceptionally intelligent crossbreed doggo.
Their intelligence could mean two things in how you train them.
Firstly, this breed is trainable.
Being a smart breed, it easily understands and gets commands, cues, and prompts.
They don’t need you to repeat a lot of the commands and gestures during training.
At the same time, Cheagles get easily bored.
It also doesn’t help that Cheagles can have the aloof traits from Beagles.
Sometimes, they become stubborn and refuse to cooperate with you during training.
You may also find them enjoying their own company.
But the keys to training Cheagles are patience and positive reinforcement.
Incentivize your dog by making the training a positive experience for your dog.
This is possible by showering your dog with treats and praises, as well as making sure that the training is entertaining and fun.
RELATED: How To Discipline A Dog Effectively Without Punishment
Cheagle: Is it The Right Breed For You?
Small and playful, Cheagles can embody the saying, “A dog is man’s best friend.”
Cheagles are friendly crossbreeds that embrace socialization not only with humans but with other dogs and creatures, too!
They were bred to get the best of both worlds between the Beagle’s well-behaved temperament and a Chihuahua’s devotion to its owners.
And even as a lap dog type, don’t be fooled by it!
Cheagles have a great stamina level that competes even with working dog breeds.
So, if you want to own this crossbreed, make sure to tend well to its need for exercise and to socialize.
With your unwavering care and love, they’ll grow to become loyal dogs that you can be happy to keep in your house!
Hold up!
If you think the Beagle Chihuahua breed is not for you, then I highly recommend checking other crossbreeds below!
Additionally, I’ve also linked the dog profile breed for Cheagle’s full-breed parents.
Go check them out now below!
