The friendly, playful Cheagle is a mix of Beagle and Chihuahua. What this means is that a Cheagle is born to one parent that is Beagle and another that is a Chihuahua. As with all mixed breeds, the looks of Cheagle dogs can vary enormously since they depend on many factors and especially the parents and their bloodlines. A beagle is a hound dog whereas a Chihuahua is a toy breed. The resulting Cheagle is usually smaller than the Beagle but as fast and agile as them. Cheagle is also a barker like the Chi. In this guide; we will study some Beagle Chihuahua mix characteristics and also consider other aspects of raising the sweet Cheagle that is the offspring of the smart hound dog and the Chihu.
In the mix
According to the Mixed Breed Club of America, a mixed breed is the offspring of two pure breed dogs. The advantage of mixed breed puppies is that they are less likely to contract illnesses and hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy and heart defects. In case of the cross between a pure bred and a mixed breed, the offspring is a mongrel. Consider the following interesting mixes best known as designer or hybrid dogs:
- Beagle Chihuahua dachshund mix
- Beagle Chihuahua terrier mix
- Rat terrier beagle Chihuahua mix
- Beagle Chihuahua pug mix
- Chihuahua Beagle Pomeranian mix (Beagle Pom mix is aptly called Pomeagle).
Interesting facts and characteristic features
- Popular colors for this breed are cream, brown or tan, white or black. The search for the ‘Beagle Chihuahua mix black’ is one of the highest.
- This is a small sized dog measuring between 9 to 14 inches at withers.
- Cheagles can weight anywhere between 9 and 20 lbs.
- They have inherited the long life span of Chihuahuas. Cheagles live up to 10-14 years and some cheagles are even known to live up to 16 years!
- Cheagles are extremely loyal and protective towards their owners. They are alert dogs known for their active personality.
- The Beagle originated in the UK whereas the Chihuahua is from Mexico.
- Other names for the Chihuahua beagle mix breed are: Chibeagle, Beagle Chi and Chi Bea.
Where to find a Cheagle
Cheagle breeders are very few; after all, like all mixed breeds, this mix dog is not AKC recognized. However, there are a couple of places where you could find Cheagles for adoption. One of them is Puppy Finder. The price on Cheagles is between $300 and $700 depending on their age, the reputation of the breeder and your location.
Temperament of the Beagle Chihuahua mix
Temperament of a Beagle Chihuahua mix is affectionate and playful; this is an extremely intelligent dog born to intelligent parents. Hence, they inherit the ability to track scents just like their Beagle parent and are also extremely friendly to strangers just like the Chihuahuas. Thanks to the parental intelligence, this mix breed is fairly easy to train but trainability in dogs always depends on several factors. They also usually get along with other pets/dogs. Like some beagles though, they could end up being slightly aloof. They also have the fierce loyalty of Chihuahuas and are extremely devoted to their family members. These active dogs are energetic and need lot of exercise. They are also prone to excess barking which is a typical Chihuahua trait. Here is a summary of traits of the Cheagle:
- Loyal, affectionate, loving and protective
- Active, energetic, agile and fast
- Outgoing dogs that need a lot of exercise
Training
Training should ideally begin when your Cheagle comes home. Start with housetraining. A puppy as young as 8 weeks old will learn where to go potty provided you show her/him the right spot. It is best to confine him to a crate to prevent accidents indoors. Most dogs will not urinate in their crate so crate training is an essential aspect of housetraining. Most cheagles also love their crates as it gives them a den like secure feeling. For successful crate training, your dog needs to see the crate as a happy place. Throw a toy or two inside and keep a few kong toys to keep your pet entertained. Clicker training is also a good way of positive reinforcement. Note that Cheagles could sometimes be slightly difficult to train because of an obstinate streak inherited from the Beagle parent. However, with consistency, positivity and patience, you can easily achieve good results.
Exercise
Regular gentle exercise is always good for all dogs. The Cheagle is an energetic breed but you must remember that they have Chihu blood in them. Most small, delicate Chihuahuas do not need too much exercise. But Cheagles also have Beagle blood in them , which means that they could do well with daily regular activity and scheduled exercise time. Start your Beagle Chihuahua mix on a walking program twice a day. Do not just put your Cheagle out in the yard for an hour – he might just go and sniff around and that hardly constitutes exercise. You can start walking at a brisk pace with your pet and set a time and distance for walking. Slowly increase this time and distance over the next few weeks. Always keep an eye on your pet so you can avoid over exertion.
Grooming
The Cheagle does not shed too much; making it a perfect pet for people with allergies. You need not spend too much time on weekly grooming. Regular brushing is enough to keep your pet’s coat shiny and healthy. Do inspect his coat from time to time to keep ticks and fleas away. Clip his toenails regularly. Cheagle ears are sometimes prone to infections and foul odor. Do ensure cleaning them with soft wet cloth. If you find any gunk or odor, have it examined by your vet.
Food
Today, there are more dog food brands available in the market than one can count. You can always select the best food for your Cheagle by talking to a vet or a breeder first. Cheagles sometimes have sensitive stomach; just like their parent breeds. So introduce new foods slowly. If your pet experiences diarrhea or develops poor coat, you might have to change the food after first talking to a vet. You can experiment with the BARF diet which most dogs seem to do well with. I have discussed the BARF diet in detail here.
Health issues
Cheagles are prone to health issues like skin infections, ear problems, hip dysplasia, hypoglycemia and heart disease.
