On paper, Beagles and Chihuahuas have little in common other than the fact that they are dogs and that they are small breeds. Something else they have in common is the fact they are both very popular, with Beagles ranking 7th and Chihuahua 34th in popularity according to the AKC.
A mix between the Beagle and Chihuahua dog breeds produces the adorable Cheagle. Due to the differences in terms of personality and physical features between the two parents, Beagle Chihuahua mixes tend to vary greatly in terms of expected traits. However, you can easily sum up the features of most Cheagles as having the face of a Chihuahua and the body of a Beagle. The personality, on the other hand, is a bit of both.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s take a closer look at everything that you need to know about the Chihuahua Beagle mixed doggy and how best to take care of them.
Are Cheagles Good Dogs?
Cheagles come from two of the most popular dog breeds, the Beagle and the Chihuahua. However, they themselves are not yet super popular or even common to absolutely determine if they are good dogs. This is a bit of a shame, considering how awesome these doggies are and how much they have to offer.
If you are considering getting a Chihuahua Beagle mix, here are some of the perks you have to look forward to.
Unique Aesthetics
Their unique aesthetics are probably their best features. There is truly no dog out there like the Cheagle with its Chihuahua-like head and facial features that pair perfectly with the large and droopy Beagle ears.
The coat type is pretty predictable as both Chihuahuas and Beagles tend to have short, double coats. This coat comes in a variety of colors depending on genetic dominance. They may have a single-tone coat like the Chihuahua, a two-tone coat, or the classic Beagle tricolor combo.
If you like small dogs, the Cheagle is awesome with their 9 to 20 lbs and 9 to 14 inches build.
Great Family Pet
Cheagles are fantastic family pets. With training and socialization, they get along perfectly well with everyone, including children and strangers. They are also super friendly, protective, and generally fun to have around.
Easy To Take Care Of
Finally, you will love how easy Chihuahua beagle mixes are to take care of. From their food and exercise needs to their health and grooming requirements, these small dogs are fairly easy to care for, especially if you know what you are doing.
How Long Can A Chihuahua Beagle Mix Live?
On average, a Chihuahua Beagle mix can live for 10 to 14 years. For comparison, purebred Chihuahuas live for 14 to 16 years while purebred Beagles have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
The fact that the Cheagle is a mixed breed dog makes it a much healthier dog breed than both its purebred parents. However, this does not mean that they are completely free of disease. Here are some of the common health issues that Cheagles have that you may identify in your pooch.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation occurs when the small bone in the knee joint comes loose. This causes the knee joint to be unstable and may also limit the Cheagle’s range of motion, and by extension, their mobility.
Hypoglycemia
Small dog breeds like the Chihuahua Beagle mix are at a very high risk of developing hypoglycemia. This is where the levels of glucose in the blood drop below normal levels.
The result can be anything from mild fatigue to serious consequences like tremors and even loss of consciousness.
Dental Diseases
Chihuahua Beagle mixes are also at high risk of developing dental diseases. These include issues such as misaligned teeth, dental cavities, and gingivitis.
Fortunately, all these can be prevented by observing good dental hygiene for the Cheagle, as you shall see shortly.
Eye Trauma
For Cheagles that inherit their Chihuahua parent’s skull and facial features, which is most of them, there is always the risk of eye trauma. This is because they have large eyes that protrude from the surface of the face, thus exposing them to danger.
How To Take Care Of Your Cheagle?
The Cheagle may seem like an intimidating dog to take care of when you factor in their health issues, their personalities, and their small and somewhat vulnerable build. However, they are actually relatively low-maintenance if you know what you are doing.
That is why we have compiled this guideline of how to raise a Cheagle based on its biggest needs.
Exercise Requirements
Cheagles are high-energy dogs and require a physical outlet not only to keep them sane and well-behaved but also for their general health and well-being.
Despite being little firecrackers, Beagle Chihuahua mixes can actually survive on just 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise every day. Just make sure it is something fun, intense, and mentally engaging.
Dietary Requirements
Cheagles are at a high risk of developing obesity. There is also the fact that they tend to have high appetites. You, therefore, have to be careful about not just what you are feeding your dog but also how much you give them.
We recommend a daily serving of about ½ to 1 cup of dry dog food every day depending on the Cheagle’s age. You also have to make sure that you feed your Cheagle high-quality dog food like Pet Plate.
Pet Plate stands out with its use of human-grade ingredients, as well as its chemical-free preservation, to freshly prepare each packaged meal.
Oral Hygiene And General Grooming
Finally, a clean Cheagle is a happy and healthy Cheagle. Regular grooming for these dogs involves cleaning their eyes and ears every day if possible, clipping their nails every 2 weeks, and ensuring that they have great dental hygiene.
For the latter, we recommend you add dental water additives to your Cheagle’s water for fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums.
Are Cheagles Smart? Temperaments Of Beagle Chihuahua Mixes
Cheagles are not considered to be very smart, considering that their parent breeds are both poorly ranked on Stanley Coren’s dog intelligence list. Owners may also find Cheagles a little stubborn towards training, as they prefer to do things the way they see fit.
Cheagles offer the best of both worlds when it comes to personality traits. However, this does not mean that they are perfect, unproblematic little angles that will be a dream to live with. Let’s just say you will never have a dull moment in your home, and you will love it.
Here is what you can expect in terms of temperament from your Beagle Chihuahua mix.
Protective
Cheagles take after their Beagle parents in terms of how loyal and protective they are of their human companions. This makes them fantastic guard dogs, despite their small size.
Fearless
Speaking of size, Cheagles may be small, but this does not mean they are cowards. The little doggies make up for their small build with their massive guts (figurative, of course). These doggies are not the kind to back down from confrontation or adventure.
Lively
Another awesome personality trait you have to look forward to with Cheagles is the fact that they are very lively. These doggies have high energy levels, which they will always find a way to expend.
If you would like a bit of peace in your home, we recommend you start obedience training early and stick to the Cheagle’s exercise routine.
Stubborn
Cheagles may be smart, but they are not always easy to train, including potty training. This is because they can be stubborn and easily distracted, especially if your training sessions are long and there are no rewards involved.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Cheagles take after the Chihuahua, in terms of their general mistrust towards strangers. In fact, they can be quite aggressive, especially if they feel threatened. However, this is a problem that you can easily solve by socialization training.
Do Chihuahua Beagle Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For Beagle Chihuahua Mixes
Cheagles are not hypoallergenic, which means they may not be the best dog breed for you to get if you have serious pet dander allergies. In addition to this consideration, the fact that Cheagles are not hypoallergenic also influences their coat grooming needs.
Beagle Chihuahua mixes shed moderately to heavily despite having a typically short coat. You, therefore, have to work extra hard to deal with all the loose fur so you can keep your doggy looking clean and beautiful.
Here are the two most important coat care needs for your Cheagle.
Deshedding And Detangling
Ideally, you should brush your Cheagle’s coat at least three times a week. When they go through their seasonal coat blowout, you may have to increase this frequency to 4 times a week or even every day to keep up with all the extra dander.
We recommend you try the FURminator Undercoat Tool for the best results, as well as for convenience while using and cleaning up.
Regular Washing
Cheagles can get stinky, especially if they have complicated skin issues. Regular washing is therefore super important not only to keep their coat clean and beautiful but also to keep them fresh and odor-free.
A monthly bath interval should do the trick in this case.
It is also crucial that you invest in high-quality products in which case Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo. This serves as not only a shampoo but also a conditioner, moisturizer, and deodorizer. It also has soothing effects which make it ideal for Cheagles with sensitive skin.
Related Questions
How Much Are Cheagles Worth? Cheagle Puppies cost, on average, between $300 and $650. This makes them some of the most affordable mixed dogs on the market. However, it is still possible to get Cheagles worth $800 or more, especially if they have been selectively bred to eliminate undesirable traits common in most regular Chihuahua Beagle mixes.
Can Cheagle Dogs Swim? Whether or not a Cheagle can swim depends on which of their purebred parents they take after in terms of build and instincts. If the Cheagle is more like the Beagle, they will be very comfortable in the water and are actually quite good swimmers. However, if they are like their Chihuahua parents, they will not only hate swimming but may be at risk of drowning if in large bodies of water, including kiddy pools.
Do Cheagles’ Ears Stand Up? More often than not, Cheagle’s ears do not stand up. This is because most of these mixed doggies inherit the Beagle parents’ typically large and droopy ears. On very rare occasions, the Cheagle may take after the Chihuahua. In this case, they will have large, triangular, perky ears a few days or weeks after birth.
