Cheeks

3-9 lbs
8-14"
Unknown
Chihuahua
Pekingese
Pekachi, Pee-Chi, Pekachu, Pikachu

The Cheeks is a designer dog, an intentional cross between two ancient companion dogs from different continents, the Chihuahua of Mexico and the Pekingese dog from China. The cross between these two breed results in a loyal and affectionate companion that is easy to maintain and doesn’t require a lot of room. They are fairly quiet dogs and just a few short walks a day are needed to keep them happy and healthy, which makes them an ideal pet for people with limited mobility or people living in small apartments. They may not be the ideal pet for people who are looking for a running buddy or for those with very small children.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Chihuahua, Pekingese

Cheeks Health

Average Size
Male Cheeks size stats
Height: 8-14 inches Weight: 3-9 lbs
Female Cheeks size stats
Height: 8-14 inches Weight: 3-9 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Mitral Valve Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Skin Problems
  • Eye Problems
  • Heart Problems
Occasional Tests
  • Knee
  • Heart
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination

Cheeks Breed History

The Cheeks is a cross between two popular companion animals, both of them quite small. The Pekingese breed is an ancient breed that was developed as a companion for royalty in China sometime before 700 BC, and much of their history is lost in myth and legend. While the legend that this canine is actually the offspring of a marmoset and a love-struck lion is highly unlikely, DNA testing does tell us that this dog, known in China as Fu-Lin, or Lion Dog, is more closely related to the wolf than most breeds. These tiny but fierce dogs were frequently given to favored visitors to the country and they quickly gained popularity in the United States and in Europe, gaining recognition with the American Kennel Club in 1906. When the Qing Dynasty fell in the early 1900’s, most of the royal dogs were slaughtered, and it was the dogs that were given to visiting dignitaries and scattered throughout the world that kept this breed from going extinct and in 1948, they were recognized by the United Kennel Club as well.  The modern Chihuahua’s history is also quite mysterious, although DNA testing of the breed indicates ties to an ancient native dog known as the Techichi. The Techichi dogs are believed to have been kept as pets and religious sacrifices by the indigenous Aztec people for thousands of years. 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 and the dogs were typically referred to by where they were procured. 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.

Cheeks Breed Appearance

Both of the breeds that were combined to make this dog stand less than a foot tall and typically weigh about the same as a honeydew melon. The Cheeks, therefore, is a very small dog, generally under a foot tall and usually less than ten pounds in weight. They may inherit the more dome like head of the Chihuahua or the flat broad skull of the Peke, and their muzzle will be short, but it could be either broad like the Pekingese or narrower and tapered like the Chihuahua. This hybrid has dark, round eyes that are prominent but not bulging, and ears that will be positioned high on the head, although they may be either heart-shaped or triangular and may stand up away from the head or they may fold to the front or sides. Although single layer coats may happen on occasion, this hybrid usually has a double layer coat with a dense undercoat covered by longer stronger fur which may be either coarse or soft depending on which parent breed they most resemble. Many Cheeks will have feathering around their ears, feet, and tail.

Cheeks Breed Maintenance

The basic grooming for this little dog is relatively straightforward. They only require baths a few times a year and giving them too many baths is known to strip this breed of the necessary oils required to keep their coats lustrous and healthy. Frequent brushing is recommended, both to help properly distribute the oils to the dog’s fur and to help control their year-round shedding. The coat is usually a mix between the two very different coats that are found on the parent breeds and if the coat is long or feathering is present, extra time should be taken on the bushing to ensure that tangling and matting do not occur. This dog also has a very small mouth and dogs with small mouths are prone to dental disease, so it is particularly important to maintain dental hygiene with these dogs. 

Cheeks Temperament

The Cheeks is a friendly, amusing, and outgoing animal with their families, however they can be much more timid when being introduced to strangers. These dogs are not prone to bouts of separation anxiety, but they are meant to be lap dogs, and your lap is their favorite place to be. These dogs generally get along with other dogs quite well and are not as prone as some to chasing down smaller animals. Due to their small size, these dogs can be quite fragile and any interactions with younger children or larger animals should be carefully supervised. They tend to be more patient with older children and tolerant of handling, but they can tend towards nippiness if not handled gently. Socialization is crucial for this hybrid, in order to prevent behavioral issues like excessive timidity, small dog syndrome, and even aggression. Training should start early with this crossbreed, as they may have a bit of a stubborn nature and waiting will make training a much more difficult task. 

Cheeks Activity Requirements

Neither the Chihuahua or the Pekingese require a great deal of exercise and a few short walks a day and some vigorous indoor play should help to keep your canine companion happily tired out. These dogs may also enjoy agility training and games of fetch, but because of the size and shape of their mouths most will prefer a stick shaped toy to a ball. The Cheeks may be more susceptible to extremes in temperature and if the weather is extremely hot or extremely cold, outdoor exposure should be kept to a minimum. Because these dogs are generally quiet and have very low exercise requirements, they often make excellent apartment dogs, but because of their smaller stature, they should never be left outside alone, not even in the back yard. 

Cheeks Owner Experiences

Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Gyatt
6 Days
9+ People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He was kinda just there
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Chewy
6 Years
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Speak
Hike
Fetch
Chase
Chewy is a pretty sweet dog overall. He sometimes pees when he gets too excited and grumbles when he's being pet, but he's very clingy towards me. He's VERY vocal but I trained him to say "I love you". Every night he curls up into a ball on the middle of my bed, so I have to sleep around him. He bites my enemies' ankles <3
2 years, 5 months ago
gizmo
9 Years
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Going Outside
just bein outside n around me lol
he grew up with just my dad mainly with not much affection n i started taking care of them
2 years, 5 months ago
Grizzly
2 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
Play fighting
Kisses
Hiking
Fetch
When I first found Grizzly on Craigslist, he was supposed to be a Shih Tzu/Pomeranian mix, but I guess they lied to get more money from us. Honestly I feel like I got the best deal in the world, having him join our family. The first moment I held him I was in love! He was so cute and fluffy. He was so shy and scared of everything. He wouldn’t even leave my room for 5 days. He slowly became more comfortable, started exploring the condo more. Now he runs around the house like he owns the place. After all his shots he went on his first walk. I placed him down and a big rig past us, the breeze from it made him fly away from me. He got so scared he tried crawling up my leg and I carried him home. Now he walks with pride, he picks the route when we’re walking in the neighborhood. When we hike, he can go 5-6 miles easily. His favorite thing is playing fetch with his favorite tennis ball. He carries it around everywhere, even on walks and hikes. He stops in front of strangers, drops the ball at their feet so they can play with him. He wakes us up at 5am, tossing the ball at our heads and whimpers until we throw the ball. He is the weirdest, silliest, most energetic dog I have ever had. Just looking at him makes me smile. I love him and so glad I found him.
3 years, 1 month ago
Hank
2 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Love to cuddle
Running and jumping
Running
Walking , play with his toys
6 years, 6 months ago
Joda
11 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Joda was found in a old tent with a Heroin addict couple. Joda was just a little happy puppy when a woman from my mothers job saw the couple high and homeless. Joda had the smallest collar around her neck and her personality was so alive while her previous owners were too high to even keep the leash in their hand to keep her from running off. The woman from my mothers job felt sorry for Joda as she was talking to the couple. They told the woman they were homeless for about 6 months and the tent in the ditch was the safest place they could use and stay without being disturbed. Joda walked out the text and greeted the woman with open paws 🐾 so happy and full of life. The woman knew the puppy could be raised in that environment. So she grabbed the puppy and continued her morning jog. The woman is a cat owner and didn’t have much room for the little puppy. She posted on FB the puppies story and many people were wanting to adopt her but the woman wanted to make sure she was in the happiest home imaginable. My mother and the woman work together and the woman shared the puppies story with my mother. My 18th birthday was September 6th and my mother knew I was going through hard times socially. At the time I was feeling forgotten and alone, all I did was work and stay home. My mother shared this with the woman and the woman proceeded to tell my mother how she had dreamt the puppy found a new home for a young girl on her birthday. I’ll never forget getting in the car from work seeing the little puppy laying on my little blue blanket in the front seat. I was pleasantly surprised. The moment I sat down next to her she set her tiny little head in my lap, that was the moment I fell in love with Joda. We’ve been Best Friends ever since. Joda is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met, I love her so much and she shows me every day how much she loves me. She LOVES to cuddle! I’m glad she is where she belongs, and where she belongs is with me. Jalia & Joda My forever Puppy Love💕
5 years, 4 months ago
Fancy
5 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Pretend fighting
Relaxing
Fancy came to me via a friend of a friend, ostensibly from an accidental mating between a female Peke and a male chihuahua. As a puppy she was timid and as I lived alone at the time and worked full time, her socialization was minimal. As a result, I have a dog that is totally loyal to and protective of me, although she will accept others given sufficient time. She is very loving, preferring to lay in my lap and be petted than anything else. Fancy can be playful -pretend fighting -W and she loves to run, often faster than her playmates. When she accepts you into her circle, you're there for life and she will whine and creep toward you if she thinks you aren't attentive enough. If you aren't in her inner circle, she will get you with frantic barking that can be quite frightening, despite her small 7# size. She is a wonderful friend.
4 years, 3 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd