Beagle Chihuahua
Beagle Chihuahua, Cheagle, Or Beahuahua
It's a Beagle Chihuahua, though many call it a Cheagle for short. No one apparently refers to this unusual mix as a Beahuahua. The Beagle Chihuahua is a delightful mix, though the breeding outcome may at times be a little unpredictable. When mixing two breeds of dogs having similar characteristics as far as temperament is concerned, the temperament of the offspring is usually predictable.
What To Expect - With a Beagle Chihuahua mix however, one might come up with a puppy that is decidedly more Chihuahua in temperament, or more like a Beagle, and not necessarily get a puppy that represents an in-between compromise. The puppies, at least those from different litters, can have different conformations as well, some being a bit on the fragile side, as is the characteristic of the Chihuahua, while others may display the sturdiness and relative compactness of the Beagle.
However the litter turns out, the puppies are apt to be brave little fellows. The Chihuahua has a definite big dog complex, willing to take on all comers. The Beagle tends to be a bit more laid back, but the breed is by and large a very brave one, a dog that is not apt to back down from a fight. Both breeds are rather strong willed and have a tendency towards stubbornness, so that is to be expected in a Beagle Chihuahua.
As far as the bark is concerned, things could indeed be interesting. Depending upon the parents, a Beagle Chihuahua could have a bark like a Chihuahua or a bay like a Beagle, or something that resembles a little of both. Whatever the sound, the Beagle Chihuahua is apt to be a barker, and for that reason makes a good watchdog.
Another thing to watch for is how your Beagle Chihuahua, or Cheagle if you prefer, carries its head. The Chihuahua is an extremely intelligent little dog, and in spite of a tendency towards having a somewhat independent nature at times, is easy to train. On the other hand, if the Beagle breed kicks in as the dominant one, your Cheagle may experience the world through its nose, as hounds do. As most Beagle owners know, while a Beagle can be trained, it is at times difficult to get their noses more than an inch off the ground so they'll pay attention to what you're trying to teach them.
Although the beagle is the more tolerant of the two breeds when it comes to teasing, it will take only so much, and the Chihuahua will usually have none of it. For that reason the mix is not always the best dog to have around little children. The Beagle Chihuahua demands the respect one would give to a big, fierce dog, because that seems to be the image they have of themselves. Treat them with the respect and the dignity they feel they deserve and you'll have a loving and loyal companion who will follow you anywhere, and protect you from the evils of the world at every opportunity.
No Two Alike? - It's almost impossible to find a photograph of a Beagle Chihuahua that tells the story of what this mix is like. Some Cheagles look quite a bit like Beagles, others bear a resemblance to Chihuahuas, and still others are cute, but rather strange looking little creatures. If there is a standard for judging the Beagle Chihuahua in the show ring, it might be interesting to know just how the standard for conformation and appearance came to be defined.
The Beagle Chihuahua is not a particularly common mix, although both breeds are fairly commonly mixed with other breeds of dog. As is the case with any hybrid or mixed breed, it's always a good idea to find out from the breeder something about the parents, and even the grandparents of your puppy, so you'll have some idea of what to expect. That may be especially true of this particular mix.