The Beagle Chihuahua mix, or the Cheagle, as it is otherwise known, is a small mixed-breed dog created by combining the expert hunting dog – the Beagle – and the ever-alert, Napoleon-complex pup, the Mexican Chihuahua.
Image credit: jordan.cheagle
The result is an active crossbreed with lots of energy that’s best suited for a farm, or a house and yard. While small, the Beagle Chihuahua mix isn’t well-suited for apartment living, or those that don’t lead an active lifestyle.
Beagle Chihuahua Mix – At a glance
| Weight: | 6–30 pounds |
| Height: | 5–15 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Coat Colours: | Brown, tan, white, black, cream. |
| Temperament: | Devoted, affectionate, loving, gentle, active. |
| Suitable for: | Active single individuals, active families. |
What Does a Chihuahua Beagle Mix look like?
Like most designer dogs, the Chihuahua Beagle mix will inherit different parts of it’s physical appearance from each parent breed. It’s likely to have a longer body, like the Beagle, but upright ears, like the Chihuahua.
You can expect your Cheagle puppies to have a longer snout than the average Chihuahua, but adopt the narrow, almond-shaped eyes of the Chihuahua. Beyond that, you can expect it adopt the more muscular build of the Beagle.
Image credit: humanesocietyofsedona
Like many mix breed dogs, the exact physical appearance of the Chihuahua Beagle mix can be difficult to predict, as it mostly comes down to which breed has the predominant gene.
The History of the Beagle Chihuahua Mix
Unfortunately, the beloved Beagle Chihuahua doesn’t have much of a history to draw from. It was likely bred during the 1990s and early 2000s, when crossbreeding became popular throughout the United States.
Luckily, the parent breeds – the Beagle and Chihuahua have plenty of history to draw from. Which is where we’ll start our article – a deep dive into the history of the English Beagle and the Mexican Chihuahua. This will give us a better idea of where the Cheagle comes from.
The history of the Beagle
The Beagle was developed as a hunting companion for farmers in 1830 from a number of different breeds including the Talbot Hound, Southern Hounds, North Country Beagles and possibly the Harrier. The goal was to create a smaller, faster version of the hunting hounds that were already in use among hunters – both those of royal and commoner persuasion.
Beagles were renowned for their sense of smell and ability to quickly chase down foxes, or collect other small game for their owners. As hunting was very much a way of life, Beagles found themselves mostly used in a hunter’s partner capacity, or as a farm dog.
Beagles were exported to the United States in the 1840s, but were not yet of the defined modern American breed that we know today. That would come in the late 19th century, when General Richard Rowett from Illnois imported various hunting dogs, including the Beagle and sought to improve the breed.
In 1885, the American Kennel Club accepted the Beagle into its ranks and its popularity as a companion pet with moderate to high energy levels skyrocketed.
How Popular Are Beagles?
In 2021, the Beagle stood as the 7th most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Beagles a Good Dog For?
Beagles are a wonderful pet for families, known for their gentle nature and affectionate loyalty, Beagles fit in well with a house and yard, but aren’t well-suited for apartment living. They don’t make great pets for the elderly either, due to their exercise requirements.
How Did Beagles Come About?
Beagles were first bred in England in the 18th century, but the modern breed was refined from the Talbot Hound, Southern Hound and North Country Beagle. The idea being to create an athletic breed that was part utility-pup and part family pet.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Beagle?
The Beagle has been crossbred throughout history as the breed was refined. However, the modern crossbreeding history of the Beagle is rather short, and some of the most popular Beagle crosses have only been developed in the last 20 or 30 years. These include:
- Husky Beagle Mix (Beaski)
- Beagle Pitbull Mix (Beaglebull)
- Beagle Boxer Mix (Bogle)
- Corgi Beagle Mix (Beagi)
The History of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a relatively modern breed with an ancient heritage that stretches back to the 9th century to the time of the Aztecs. A descendent of the Techichi – a small, mute dog kept by the Toltec Peoples of the 9th century, the Chihuahua was first noted in the Mexican state of the same name in the mid-19th century.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Chihuahuas were frequently traded and sold to American tourists visiting Mexico’s border regions. In 1904, Chihuahuas were accepted into the American Kennel Club, categorized as a toy breed.
Chihuahuas typically come in two versions: short-haired Chihuahuas (most common) and long-haired Chihuahuas.
How Popular Are Chihuahuas?
Ever since their arrival in the United States, these little dogs have been stealing the hearts and homes of many Americans. In 2021, they were the 37th most-popular dog in the United States.
Who Are Chihuahuas a Good Dog For?
Chihuahuas are favored by many families and single individuals, particularly the elderly because of their size. They’re a protective and loyal breed, making them a good option for families with children.
With training, Chihuahuas can be good dogs for apartment living, but they can suffer from separation anxiety, leading to destructive behaviors.
How Did Chihuahuas Come About?
The precise origins of Chihuahuas is largely unknown. However, we do know that they are descendants of the Techichi – a small, mute dog kept by the Toltec Peoples in the 9th century. The Chihuahua has been noted in the Mexican state of the same since the mid-19th century and been a part of American life since the beginning of the 20th century.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Chihuahua?
As with many crossbreeds, the Chihuahua hasn’t long been on the list of popular pups to create crossbreeds with, mostly because of it’s small size. Several popular Chihuahua crossbreeds have sprung up since the late 1990s and early 2000s. These include:
- Corgi Chihuahua Mix (Chigi)
- Pitbull Chihuahua Mix (Pit Chi)
- Chihuahua Greyhound Mix (Grey Chi)
- Border Collie Chihuahua Mix (Border Chi)
- Doberman Chihuahua Mix (Doberchi)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important parts of choosing a family pet is finding a pet that suits your family’s habits and overall temperament of the unit. If you’ve been searching for an active family companion, then you’ll want to look for a dog that loves to be outside and active – such as a Siberian Husky or a German Shepherd.
However, if you’re looking for a companion pet to be at home with you, you’ll want to find a dog with lower energy levels – such as a Pug. If you have children, you’ll want to choose a breed that is gentle with children.
There are many considerations to make when choosing a dog for your family, ensuring a good temperamental match should be among your top priorities.
What is the Temperament of the Beagle Chihuahua Mix?
You can expect your Chihuahua-Beagle crossbreed to inherit different parts of the temperaments of each parent breed. This may mean your Beagle Chihuahua is slightly more mischievous, like the Chihuahua, or has a strong prey drive like the Beagle.
In general, your Chihuahua-Beagle puppies will be incredibly loyal from day one and will want to be a part of the family culture. They’re eager to love and be loved!
Is The Chihuahua Beagle Mix Friendly?
Generally, you can expect your Beagle Chihuahua mix to be friendly toward those it knows. When it comes to strangers, your Beagle Chi may initially be suspicious of strangers. It may also display aggressive behavior when it feels threatened, this can be rectified with persistent training.
Is The Chihuahua Beagle Mix Easy to Train?
You may experience some initial stubbornness from your Chihuahua Beagle mix, though this can be quickly corrected through positive reinforcement training. Your Chihuahua Beagle may also struggle with focus. This can be achieved through reward-based training, such as giving them a treat for listening and following commands.
How Much Can A Beagle Chihuahua Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Beagle Chihuahua mix is between 6 and 30 pounds.
How Tall Can A Beagle Chihuahua Mix Get?
The average height of Chihuahua Beagle mix is between 5 and 15 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Chihuahua Beagle mix. These include:
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature Dachshund
- Fox Terrier
- Maltese
Does the Chihuahua Beagle Mix Shed?
You can expect your Chihuahua Beagle mix to be a low-shedding dog. They won’t require weekly brushing, though they are prone to the loss of hair follicles and loose hair may fall off periodically, as sometimes Chihuahuas suffer from skin infections.
How Much Exercise Does A Chihuahua Beagle Mix Require?
You can expect your Chihuahua Beagle mix to be a moderately active dog. You should prepare to be walking your Chihuahua Beagle mix for at least 45 minutes per day.
Alongside this, you should encourage mental stimulation through KONG toys filled with their favorite treats and other brain games. Mental stimulation will help prevent boredom, which can also lead to destructive behaviors.
How Long Can a Beagle Chihuahua Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Chihuahua Beagle mix is between 10 and 15 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Chihuahua Beagle Mix Have?
- Hip Dysplasia (Hip joint inflammation)
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism (Overactive thyroid gland)
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap Dislocation)
How Can You Find a Beagle and Chihuahua mix puppies For Sale?
Before you begin to search for a Chihuahua Beagle mix puppy for sale, you should first consider adopting one! Plenty of Beagle Chihuahua mixes wind up in animal shelters and vet clinics across the United States because they are unwanted by their owners.
Finding a mixed-breed puppy that’s up for adoption could save you hundreds of dollars by paying an adoption fee, rather than a breeder’s fee.
If you are unsuccessful in your in-person quest for a Chihuahua Beagle mix puppy, consider looking online at AdoptAPet.com.
How Much Does a Beagle Chihuahua mix puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Chihuahua Beagle mix is between $800 and $1000! This is generally double or triple the cost of adopting a Chihuahua Beagle mix.
If you’re still intent on purchasing a Chihuahua Beagle mix, be sure to read our article on finding a reputable breeder to buy your Beagle Chi from.
Is the Beagle Chihuahua mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been searching for an active, energetic breed with a loyal and affectionate disposition. The Chihuahua Beagle is a wonderful pet for people looking for a moderately-sized dog that could be a good fit for their elderly relative.
However, if you’re certain that Beagle Chihuahua mix isn’t the right dog for you – we have created dozens of other breed guides, you may find one that better suits your family’s needs.