The Cheagle is a cross of a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred Beable, also known as Chihuahua Beagle Mix. It's relatively a small dog breed at about 9 to 14 inches tall, weighing anywhere between 20 to 30 pounds. Cheagle's average lifespan is around 10 to 14 years.
These days, designer dogs make it easier for you to find a pet that meets your family’s specific needs. The Cheagle, for instance, is ideal for families that need a kid-friendly dog that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
What does a Cheagle look like?
The Chihuahua Beagle mix is one of the cutest hybrid dogs you’ll come across. It has the soulful eyes, floppy ears, and facial markings of the Beagle and the small build of the Chihuahua (Chi).
Thanks to its parent breeds, most Chi Beagle puppies also have a short, soft, double-layer coat. Chihuahua-Beagle puppies that are bred from long-haired Chihuahuas may have medium-length fur, with feathering on the ears, tails, and legs.
Common coat colors of Chibeagles include black, tan, cream, and white. Some Beagle-Chihuahua mixes also have the freckle-like spots on their coats; these spots are often found on Beagles as well.
What is the size of a Cheagle dog?
The Chi Beagle Mix remains a small dog even when it reaches adulthood. Full-grown, as mentioned above the Chihuahua-Beagle crossbreed has a height of 9 to 14 inches (22 to 35 cm) and a weight of 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 18 kg).
Sometimes, smaller variations of this hybrid dog are called a ‘miniature Cheagle’ or a ‘teacup Cheagle.’ These Chihuahua Beagle Mix puppies are usually born from miniature or teacup Chihuahuas, which are merely adult Chis that are tiny compared to standard ones.
Cheagle characteristics you should know about
Despite the hunting and tracking abilities of its Beagle parent, the Chihuahua Beagle Mix is more of a companion dog.
The Cheagle crossbreed combines the best traits of its purebred parents. The Beagle Chihuahua Mix is affectionate and highly devoted to its family, like the Beagle. This hybrid needs plenty of attention and enjoys cuddling with its owners.
Watch this Beagle Chihuahua mix playing with its owner:
As a family dog, the Chibeagle gets along with older kids who know how to handle dogs. Toddlers and preschool-age children may play too roughly with this small dog and end up accidentally hurting it.
Because of its small size, the Chihuahua Beagle mix is a great pet for people who don’t have a lot of space at home, like apartment owners.
Problematic behavior to watch out for in the Chihuahua Beagle Mix
Even with its positive qualities, the Beagle Chihuahua mix may also exhibit some traits that you’ll need to nip in the bud.
Excessive barking
The Chihuahua is known for its tendency to bark too much, so the Chibeagle may inherit this behavior. The good news is that you can keep your Beagle Chihuahua mix barking incessantly even at an early age.
Separation anxiety
Due to the Beagle’s nature as a pack dog, your Cheagle may get stressed or frustrated when you leave it at home for extended periods. One way to prevent separation anxiety in your Chihuahua Beagle mix is to use its favorite toys as distractions from your absence.
Nipping
Your Cheagle may also be prone to aggression in the form of nipping, a trait it can inherit from the feisty Chihuahua. This aggression can be triggered when the dog thinks that it has to defend its territory, protect its family members, or defend itself against threats. If not supervised, your Beagle Chi mix may end up nipping at young children who play with it too roughly.
Small dog syndrome
The Chihuahua Beagle mix may suffer from small dog syndrome. This syndrome is the result of owners tolerating undesirable behaviors in smaller dogs because their size makes them seem like less of a threat.
Does the Beagle Chihuahua Mix have any health issues?
As mentioned in the first paragraph the Cheagle has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years, but it’s prone to certain health problems as well. For instance, like many toy breeds, the Chi Beagle mix is at greater risk for hypoglycemia.
Cheagles are also predisposed to the health issues experienced by the Chihuahua and the Beagle. Chihuahuas are prone to mitral valve disease and conditions in their eyes and teeth, while Beagles are at risk for patellar luxation and glaucoma.
Due to its small build, the Chihuahua Beagle mix is also more fragile against extreme weather conditions. So it’s best to keep your Cheagle indoors when you’re not out for a walk.
How much food does the Cheagle need?
Given its size, the Chi Beagle mix needs only ¾ to 1 ½ cups of dry dog food every day. Dog food that’s ideal for Chihuahuas will also work great for fulfilling the nutritional needs of Chihuahua Beagle mixes.
Divide this amount of food into as many as six meals throughout the day. Frequent feeding helps prevent hypoglycemia in the Chibeagle.
Make sure you don’t overfeed your dog, though. Like the Beagle, the Chihuahua Beagle mix is prone to obesity.
Does the Chihuahua Beagle Mix need plenty of exercise?
The Beagle Chi cross inherited the high energy levels of the excitable Chihuahua. This hybrid dog needs at least 40 minutes of exercise each day, whether it’s a walk around the block, running around in a fenced yard, or games of fetch and tug-of-war.
Many Cheagles have a high prey drive, like Beagles, so it’s best to keep your Chibeagle on a leash when you’re out.
Giving your Beagle Chihuahua mix sufficient physical activity and mental stimulation helps prevent problematic behaviors like chewing and excessive barking.
Does a Cheagle shed a lot?
The Chihuahua Beagle mix sheds no more than the average amount, but you need to brush this crossbreed 2 to 4 times a week to remove loose hair and keep its coat shiny. If your Cheagle has a longer coat, you need to brush its hair more often to prevent matting and get rid of tangles.
Regularly brushing your dog’s coat improves the distribution of natural body oils, which keeps shedding under control. And while the Beagle Chihuahua mix doesn’t leave around a lot of hair, this hybrid dog is not hypoallergenic.
Keeping your Beagle Chihuahua mix clean
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to taking care of a Cheagle is to bathe the dog only when needed. The Beagle Chi mix is prone to developing dry, flaky skin, and frequent baths will end up irritating your dog’s skin.
Remember to check your Chibeagle’s ears at least once a week, especially if it inherited the dropped ears of its Beagle parent. Remove waxy buildup and keep your Cheagle’s ears as dry as possible to prevent infections.
What should I know about training a Cheagle?
The Beagle Chihuahua mix may be a little challenging to train because of its high energy levels and tendency to be stubborn.
Like with many dogs, the best way to train Beagle Chi mixes is through positive reinforcement. With plenty of patience, praise, and treats, you should be able to teach your Cheagle how to behave properly.
Early training and socialization are crucial for the Chihuahua Beagle cross. Many Cheagle puppies inherit the Chihuahua’s tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs. Make sure your family and friends spend plenty of time with your dog so it won’t feel threatened around them.
Beagles are notorious for being difficult to housebreak (or potty train), so your Cheagle may inherit this trait, too.
Where can I buy a Cheagle?
Cheagle puppies may come from breeders or rescues. Like with many crossbreeds, you may find it difficult to find breeders who are focused on Chihuahua Beagle hybrids. You may have luck finding these puppies from breeders of Chihuahuas and Beagles:
- Chihuahuas Wee Love (Texas)
- Hollywood Chis
- Lana Rae Beagles (Florida)
- Merry Music Beagles (Pennsylvania)
Breeders may charge anywhere from $500 to over $1000 for each Cheagle puppy. Make sure you get your money’s worth by choosing reputable breeders, who screen puppies for possible health conditions.
If you’re looking for adult Cheagle dogs for adoption, you can get in touch with rescue organizations that may have a Chibeagle for you.
Cheagle pros and cons you should consider
The Chihuahua Beagle mix is affectionate and loyal, making it a great companion dog. This crossbreed is also low-maintenance, and its small size means that you spend less on food and grooming.
However, Beagle and Chihuahua cross is not the ideal pet for families with young children, who may not know how to interact properly with dogs. Since the Cheagle can have a stubborn streak, you’ll need plenty of patience when training this crossbreed.
