9-20 lbs
9-14"
United States
The Cheagle is a popular designer dog, a combination of the friendly and affectionate Beagle from England and the loyal and spunky Chihuahua from Mexico. The mix of the two is typically a playful and loving little animal that enjoys going wherever their person goes. These little hybrid dogs are typically too small and independent to follow in the Beagle footsteps as a hunting and tracking dog, but they do make outstanding home companions. They have lower exercise and grooming requirements than many other dogs; however, costly and painful disorders of the heart and eye can sometimes affect this crossbreed.
The Cheagle is a hybrid dog, a cross between the Chihuahua, a tiny companion dog, and the Beagle, a small tracking dog. The Beagle is a rabbit tracking dog that has been a popular animal both as a hunting companion and a family dog for several centuries, and it has been noted by name frequently in writings from the 15th century on. There have been a few changes in the Beagle breed since they first became popular, however, including a period of time in which a tiny version of the Beagle known as a “Pocket” Beagle was bred. The breed standards were set in the late 1800s, around the same time that The Beagle Club of England and the National Beagle Club in the United States were being formed and was recognized in the Hound category by the American Kennel Club in 1885. The modern Chihuahua’s full history is unknown, and DNA testing of the breed indicates ties to the ancient Techichi that was native to Mexico and kept as pets and religious sacrifices by the indigenous Aztec people. What is clear is that some of the earliest dogs that could be identified as Chihuahuas were found in Mexico in the mid 1800’s, although at the time this tiny breed didn’t have an official name. Merchants in Mexico, largely from the state of Chihuahua, began selling these portable and companionable animals to visitors from other countries. In 1904, the first Chihuahuas were recognized by the American Kennel Club and just thirty were registered by 1913. Today they are listed the 30th most popular breed in the United States with well over 40,000 Chihuahuas registered with the AKC in 2012, and also enjoy great popularity in many other countries around the world, including the UK, the Philippines, and Australia. The Cheagle is a slightly larger and more outgoing canine than the Chihuahua while retaining its protective and loyal nature.
This hybrid dog is a very small canine, frequently less than a foot tall with a broad, rounded head and soulful but saucy brown eyes. A molera, or soft spot, is sometimes found in this crossbreed. The muzzle most often resembles the moderately short, pointed muzzle of the Chihuahua, although some Cheagles may have the longer, wider muzzle of the Beagle, and the ears usually hang down at the sides of the head, but the upright triangular ears of the Chihuahua are also seen on occasion. As there are both short and long coated varieties of the Chihuahua, there can be some variation in the type of coat that the Cheagle ends up with. Beagles have a double coat, but both long and short furred varieties Chihuahuas can have either a single or a double coat, which means that most Cheagles will also have a double layer coat, but not all of them. The Beagle and the Short Coated Chihuahua generally produces puppies with coats that are short, shiny, and soft, but when the Chihuahua contribution is from a Chihuahua with the longer coat, the resulting Cheagles are more likely to have medium length fur with feathering, particularly around the ears, legs, and tail of the animal.
Most Cheagles require very little grooming to keep them clean and healthy. Baths should be given sparingly with these dogs as they are prone to developing dry, flaky, or irritated skin if bathed too frequently, but brushing should occur on a regular basis in order to remove shed hairs and to properly distribute their natural body oils. Two to four brushings a week are usually sufficient to keep either the short or long coat varieties healthy, clean, and lustrous, although the dogs with longer coats may require a little more detangling and a little more time. It is important to ensure that the ears are also kept clean and dry as hanging ears are more prone to infection.
The Cheagle is typically a friendly and outgoing little animal with a loyal but playful nature, but early socialization and training are essential components to preventing aggression towards other dogs. While they are generally well-behaved and polite animals, they do have a tendency towards stubborn independence when training and they may resist house training. This hybrid is usually fairly quiet, but they may occasionally exhibit the traditional Beagle howl or tend towards nervous barking. Their attitudes towards children can vary, those that take after their Beagle heritage will typically be open, playful, and affectionate towards children of all ages, whereas those whose behavior reflects their Chihuahua contribution may be less inclined to tolerate loud or erratic behavior. Because these dogs are quite small, and can be fragile, all interactions between these canines and children should be carefully monitored, even for those dogs who enjoy the company of children.
The activity requirements for the Cheagle are fairly undemanding and they usually are quite satisfied with forty to sixty minutes of vigorous activity a day. It is often best to break these sessions up into several smaller chunks of time. These little canines are quite happy living in smaller spaces with a few short walks or energetic indoor play sessions a day, and many of them may excel at scent hound activities as well. Although they may become yappy on occasion, this combination of breeds is much less vocal than the average Beagle making them more appropriate for apartment life than many other Beagle hybrids.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/09/2017, edited: 10/26/2021
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