Meiken Cheese, alternately known as Cheese the Wise Dog or Cheese the Super Watchdog, is a light brown canine distinguished by short rabbit-shaped ears and a dark brown tail tip, with his ears appearing darker in early manga and picture books. His home is a loaf-shaped doghouse situated at Uncle Jam's bakery, equipped with his personal food and water bowls. His origin began when a starving puppy, he was rescued by Anpanman during Anpanman's inaugural forest patrol; Batako later named him "Cheese" at the bakery. While his specific dog breed remains unidentified, initial artistic designs bore a resemblance to a Basset Hound.

Cheese demonstrates high intelligence, comprehending human language and performing tasks on par with other characters. He communicates primarily through barks, understood by bakery residents due to mutual familiarity and his designation as a "wise dog." Early manga versions featured him speaking in full sentences followed by "woof," though the anime adaptation shifted exclusively to barking. His personality blends over-the-top silliness for comic relief with genuine bravery, often charging into danger to aid Anpanman. He possesses a notably large appetite, consuming food ravenously, and occasionally displays laziness in avoiding chores.

His primary ability is an exceptional sense of smell, enabling him to track individuals across locations. Functionally, he assists with bakery operations, drives the Anpanman-Go vehicle, and serves as the primary spotter for SOS signals. He frequently carries or throws Anpanman's replacement heads during missions. Historically moving on four legs, he gradually adopted consistent bipedal locomotion while retaining characteristic canine sitting and sleeping postures. His relationships include a close friendship with Butterko and a romantic interest named Rare Cheese. Cheese's role and characteristics are maintained across episodes, films, and broader media, including appearances in "Sore Ike! Anpanman: Bokura wa Hero" and "Happy no Daibōken".