Pekingese Chihuahua Mix (Cheeks): Info, Pictures & Facts

The Cheeks — it’s not probably what most would assume, but just as pinchable and cute. It is not surprising, too, that these toy dogs are quite popular in the world of designer breeds.

Loyal and sweet, one can easily fall in love with the Chihuahua and Pekingese mix. Its tiny size, moderate maintenance needs, and low activity requirements make it the best lap dog, despite its stubbornness.

Read on to learn more about the Pekingese Chihuahua mix, including its appearance, temperament, history, health, pros and cons of owning one, and some FAQs. 

Breed Overview

What Is a Pekingese Chihuahua Mix?

The Pekingese Chihuahua Mix, also called Cheeks or Pekachi, is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pekingese. As a companion dog, the Cheeks is a sweet, loyal, yet stubborn and wary lap dog. Its tiny size is ideal for apartment living and owners looking for a compact pet.

Since it is a small dog, it is fairly low maintenance and does not require much exercise. It is also less active and less agile than other toy breeds. As a good family dog, it forms strong bonds with its owners, young and old.

While their purebred parents, the Chihuahua and Pekingese, are individually recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Pekachis are not recognized by the organization as they are designer dogs.

However, you can register them at the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), and Dog Registry of America (DRA). 

Other Names of the Pekingese Chihuahua Mix

Unlike its parents, the Pekingese Chihuahua mixed breed goes by many names. One of them even sounds like a popular fictional character in a role-playing game. 

Besides Cheeks, here are some other names for the Pekingese Chihuahua mix:

• Pikachu
• Pekachu
• Pek-A-Chi
• Pekachi
• Pee-Chi

Meanwhile, these are the names they are recognized in different organizations:

• Pekachi – International Designer Canine Registry
• Cheeks – Designer Breed Registry
• Cheeks – Designer Dog Kennel Club
• Cheeks – American Canine Hybrid Club

Although there can be quite a few labels to this small breed, Cheeks is the most commonly used name for the Pekingese and Chihuahua mix.

Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Origin and History

Besides being bred as a companion dog, the Cheeks, like many designer breeds, does not have a clear history. But we can look at the origin of two parent breeds that make up this mix, the Chihuahua and Pekingese.

Considered an ancient breed, the Pekingese was bred as a companion dog for Chinese royalty members in AD 600. According to legends, the Fu Lin or Lion Dog was an offspring of a lion and a marmoset.

These prized toy dogs were also given to highly respected visitors in China, causing them to spread throughout the Americas and Europe. This saved them from going extinct, as many were killed in China in the 20th century.

On the far side of the world, the Chihuahua is believed to have originated from a state with the same name in Mexico. Chihuahuas are feisty pups that are known as the world’s smallest breed.

Shrouded with quite a mysterious history, the Chihuahua likely descended from the Techichi that is crossed with the Chinese Crested breed. 

Originally bred as sacrificial dogs, the current Chihuahua breed is solely bred for companionship.

Learning the origin of its parents is essential in understanding and managing the Pekingese Chihuahua mix. This way, you can somehow envision how and why this mixed breed came to be.

Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Appearance

The physical appearance of a Cheeks dog depends on which parent breed it takes after. 

It could inherit the long hair of its Pekingese parent or the long or short hair of its Chihuahua parent breed. Its coat may be soft or coarse.

However, a Cheeks pup is usually long-haired. Its coat comes in an array of colors, including white, black, cream, blue, red, brown, and even mixed colors. 

The Pekachi sports double coat feathers surrounding its tail, ears, and feet. 

This mixed breed’s head may either be broad-skulled or domed-like. Its muzzle is often broad and short, but it could also be tapered and narrow. The triangular or heart-shaped ears are set high and away from its head.

Its straight or floppy ears are folded frontwards or sideways. A Cheeks dog typically has prominent yet non-bulging eyes that are wide, dark, and round.

See what a Chihuahua Pekingese mix could possibly look like in this video:

Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Size and Weight

Cheeks dogs are toy dogs that stand between 10 and 14 inches tall and weigh from 3 to 9 pounds. Their adult size can be comparable to that of a small Pekingese or a large Chihuahua.

Toy breeds like the Cheeks grow quite faster than larger dogs. They commonly reach full growth once they are a year old. However, since they are a designer breed, their growth can be tricky to predict. 

A Cheeks puppy is still growing if you can feel the “knobs” on its ribs. These knobs are growth plates in a dog that indicate its development. If they are not present, it means the dog is fully grown.

Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Temperament and Personality

Friendly, loyal, sweet, and loving, Pee-Chis are real lap dogs. However, they are only friendly toward familiar people. They can be wary of strangers or when presented with new situations.

If not constantly socialized from an early age, they may display shyness, which may progress to aggression. Pups from this mix, like their parent breeds, can also be stubborn, making training quite a challenge.

Given this, they are more suitable for experienced owners. Otherwise, they get along just fine with other dogs and other pets in the home. They are not likely to chase other animals as well.

While clingy, they are not prone to develop separation anxiety. Also, they are perfect dogs for busy people as they do not require much exercise. As for families, they are great companions and lap dogs for people of all ages. 

Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Lifespan and Health Issues

Like many designer breeds, the Cheeks is considered a healthy breed that has a lifespan of around 10 to 14 years. It could have a life expectancy like its Chihuahua parent, depending on its quality of life.

While mixed breeds like the Pekachu may benefit from hybrid vigor, it is not always a guarantee. It could inherit a few health problems its parents are prone to developing in their lifetime. Here are some of them:

• Joint Problems: Joint issues in a Cheeks include patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Patellar luxation happens when a dog’s patella and femur are misaligned, whereas hip dysplasia is the uneven growth rate of the ball and socket of the hip joint. These issues may root in obesity, another common condition in both parent breeds.
• Eye Problems: There are three eye problems to watch out for in a Cheeks dog — dry eye or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), glaucoma, and cataracts. These often manifest as sore and itchy eyes, bluing of the cornea, and opaque lenses, respectively. If left untreated, these may cause blindness in a dog.
• Respiratory Problems: A Cheeks is likely to suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome if it inherits the short muzzle of its Pekingese parent. Another respiratory issue is tracheal collapse, which it may get from its Chihuahua parent. Both issues are often characterized by breathing difficulties, coughing, and vomiting.

Apart from the list above, a Cheeks dog may also develop hypoglycemia, bladder or kidney stones, heart issues, dental issues, and allergies. However, when the two parent breeds combine, most health issues are bred out. 

How to Take Care of Your Cheeks

A healthy dog is a pup that is also well taken care of. For this reason, paying close attention to your dog’s nutrition, grooming, training, and exercise is crucial in dog ownership.

In this section, you will learn how to manage and meet your Cheeks’ daily food, cleaning, and activity requirements for them to lead a happy and healthy life. 

Food and Diet

Knowing how much to feed Pee-Chis is important as they can be prone to obesity like their parents. Consider their size, age, and activity level as well. More importantly, the quality of their food should not be compromised.

Given these factors, the usual daily diet of Cheeks dogs consists of approximately one cup of high-quality dog food for toy breeds. Split this amount into two meals per day, ensuring they get the nutrients they need. 

You can also give them treats occasionally or as a reward during training sessions. But remember to watch your Cheeks’ daily calorie intake. Moreover, you should give the best quality treats in the market.

Ultimately, daily food requirements may differ per dog. If you want to make sure you are feeding your Chihuahua Pekingese mix pup right, the best option would be to consult with your veterinarian. 

Cleaning and Grooming

Pekachus require low to moderate grooming. Bathe them only when it is absolutely necessary to keep the natural oils in their coat and prevent skin irritations. They also require more frequent hair brushing.

They shed all year round, and depending on their coat type; they may require brushing once to thrice a week. It will help natural oils be distributed evenly in their coats, keeping the shedding to a minimum.

The Cheeks breed is also susceptible to dental diseases. To prevent this, you need to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times weekly. Similarly, their ears and eyes need to be cleaned and monitored for any signs of infection.

Lastly, trim your Cheeks’ nails as soon as they grow long enough to be constantly scratching the ground. Failure to do so might result in pain and, over time, injured tendons. 

If you are unsure how to do this, you can take your pup to a professional groomer. 

Training and Exercise

Training a Cheeks may be a bit challenging, given the stubborn nature of its parent breeds. To keep its headstrong nature under control, it must undergo obedience training as early as possible.

Although you might spend a lot of time on training sessions, they must be kept short to keep your Cheeks dog engaged. Avoid punishment and reward any good behavior. 

Most undesirable traits come from a lack of socialization. In this breed’s case, it may lead to aggression. Exposing them to various environments and people as early as puppyhood will greatly benefit them. 

When it comes to exercise, Pekachis do not require much due to their size. A minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise in the form of short walks or playtime at home will suffice. 

They are also not agile, so overexercising may result in injuries. 

How Much Does a Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

On average, a Pekingese Chihuahua mix puppy costs between $500 and $800. Prices may vary depending on factors such as popularity, breeder, and location. Given this, a Cheeks puppy may cost up to $1,500. 

Adoption, in contrast, is a cheaper option, which starts at around $250. Designer dogs like the Pekachu are usually lower-priced than their parent breeds. For instance, the Chihuahua is around the $950 price point. 

Apart from the price of a Pekingese Chihuahua mix itself, the following are expenses you can expect before taking the puppy home: 

The prices indicated above are just the initial costs. Note that these values do not include monthly, yearly, and emergency expenses. Also, you may exceed or save up on costs depending on your actual expenditures.

Places to Find Pekingese Chihuahua Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption

With the increasing demand for designer dogs like the Pek-A-Chi in recent years, irresponsible breeding practices are also surfacing. To prevent being scammed, looking for a reputable breeder is necessary.

Reputable breeders ensure that puppy welfare comes first before anything else. Below is a list of online resources to look for a Chihuahua Pekingese mix puppy:

• Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies provides advertising for breeders, puppy sellers, and stud services. They cater to areas such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, and other nearby states. Their website has Chihuahua mixes and Pekingese mix puppies for sale, which may include the Chihuahua Pekingese mix. 
• Keystone Puppies – As an advertising website, Keystone Puppies does not raise nor accept funds for puppies for sale or adoption. They ensure safe pet travels in their nationwide shipping. Designer dogs like the Chihuahua Pekingese mix are widely available on this site.
• Greenfield Puppies – For over two decades, Greenfield Puppies has been connecting healthy puppies with caring families. It has breeders on its website offering purebred dogs as well as designer dogs. Chihuahua mixes are quite popular on this website, and occasionally, you may come across the Chihuahua Pekingese mix. 

Alternatively, you can get a Pekachi puppy or adult dog through adoption. If you want to add a rescue dog to your home, here are some places where you may find a Chihuahua Pekingese mix:

• Limbo Chihuahuas – Limbo Chihuahuas mainly rescue Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes that are about to be euthanized. The pups in their network receive training and socialization in private foster homes. Reach out to their website to see if they have an adoptable Chihuahua Pekingese mix pup. 
• Wee Rescue – Committed to rescuing small breeds and mixes, Wee Rescue helps small dogs regardless of health condition and age. While they take in pups from Austin Animal Center, they also accept other dogs from other facilities in the Austin area. To inquire how you can adopt a Pekingese Chihuahua mix, you may visit their website. 
• Peke A Tzu Rescue – Located in Trufant, Michigan, Peke A Tzu Rescue is a sanctuary for senior dogs and those with special needs. They also rescue other small dogs and small mixed breeds such as the Yorkie, Maltese, and Poodle. They may have adoptable Pekingese Chihuahua mixes every now and then.

If you are unable to find a Pekingese and Chihuahua mix on our list above, try checking out Facebook groups and Reddit threads dedicated to this hybrid.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Cheeks

All dog breeds come with advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these will prepare you for the joys and potential troubles you may encounter along the way. 

This section will help you evaluate whether or not this designer dog suits your lifestyle. To start, here are the pros of getting a Chihuahua Pekingese mix: 

• Friendly and affectionate: These small dogs are generally friendly toward people that are familiar with them. Although they can be wary of strangers, they eventually warm up to them. Chihuahua mixed with Pekingese pups make great companion dogs for people of all ages, provided they are supervised around younger children.
• Ideal for less-active owners: The Pek-A-Chi is not an extremely active pup; hence, it is the best dog for seniors and less-active individuals. Since it has the size of a toy dog, it has moderate exercise requirements in the form of short walks or playtime at home. 
• Not prone to separation anxiety: Although Chihuahua Pekingese mixes are clingy dogs, they are less likely to develop separation anxiety. Still, to prevent this behavior from showing, make sure your Cheeks dog is always physically and mentally stimulated.

On the other hand, here are the cons of owning a Chihuahua Pekingese mix:

• Stubborn nature: Training a Chihuahua Pekingese mix can be a challenging task. However, it is not because it is not intelligent but because of its stubborn nature. Like other small breeds, this mix can suffer small dog syndrome, which causes stubbornness and other forms of misbehavior.
• Can be wary of strangers: While they are friendly and affectionate towards familiar people, Chihuahua Pekingese mix pups are on high alert when it comes to strangers. Due to this, they usually come off as timid or aggressive. This behavior is often seen in toy breeds, and socialization from a young age is necessary to help mitigate it.
• They don’t do well in extreme temperatures. The Pek-A-Chi can inherit the short muzzle of its Pekingese parent. As a result, it has a low tolerance for hot weather. This hybrid dog breed is quite sensitive to cold temperatures as well. Given this, they would need a jacket or coat during cooler seasons.

Right now, it is up to you to decide if the pros weigh out the cons. If you think you can keep up with the disadvantages of owning a Chihuahua Pekingese mix, then you may start prepping up your home for a new pup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Pekingese Chihuahua Mixes Shed a Lot?

No, a Chihuahua Pekingese mix sheds year-round, but only moderately. Whether it takes after its Chihuahua or Pekingese parent breed, both have double coats, so it would still be considered a low to moderate shedder. 

For this reason, frequently brushing the Chihuahua Pekingese mix is a must. To keep shedding to a minimum, brushing once to thrice weekly is recommended. 

Are Pekingese Chihuahua Mixes Hypoallergenic?

The Pekingese and Chihuahua mix is not hypoallergenic. This dog’s coat comes from its parent breeds that produce dander. Dander is the equivalent of dandruff in humans, which triggers allergic reactions.

Because of this, the Chihuahua Pekingese mix is not for allergy sufferers, as shedding may aggravate their allergy symptoms.

Do Pekingese Chihuahua Mixes Bark a Lot?

The Chihuahua Pekingese mix, in general, does not bark a lot. It could be possible that it would bark in completely random situations. Occasionally, factors such as seeking attention, anxiety, and fear could trigger barking. 

Excessive barking may also develop due to a lack of mental stimulation. To prevent such problems from surfacing, it is important your Cheeks dog meet its regular exercise requirement both physically and mentally. 

Final Thoughts

For such a small dog with moderate maintenance, it can be surprising to learn that the Cheeks dog is not for everyone. It is more suitable for experienced owners capable of handling a stubborn, wary pup.

In order to give a Cheeks pup a more comfortable, happier, and fuller life, one should consider their current situation and lifestyle. More importantly, they should be committed to continuously socializing their dog.

If you can fulfill these duties, you can be an owner of this mix. However, if you don’t think you can meet the requirements, feel free to browse our website to find a more compatible pooch for you.

Have you encountered a Chihuahua Pekingese pup before? We’d love to hear about your experience with a Cheeks puppy in the comments below!