Meiken Cheese is a canine resident of Uncle Jam's bakery. Discovered as a starving puppy alone in a forest during Anpanman's very first patrol, the young Anpanman responded to his distress by offering part of his own head for sustenance, forging their enduring bond. Batako named him "Cheese" upon his arrival at the bakery.

Physically, Cheese appears as a small, light brown dog. He possesses distinctive short ears resembling a rabbit's and a dark brown tip on his tail. His design evolved slightly across media, with earlier manga iterations showing darker ears compared to his animated appearance. He resides in a loaf-shaped doghouse outside the bakery, equipped with personal food and water bowls.

Cheese exhibits notable intelligence, comprehending human language and performing complex tasks despite being unable to form words. Early manga chapters featured him speaking in sentences followed by "woof," shifting to expressive barks in the animated series that other characters consistently understand. His personality blends bravery with comedic traits; he demonstrates courage accompanying Anpanman into peril and frequently assists in delivering replacement heads, yet also displays moments of laziness, particularly when evading chores. He possesses a large appetite, consuming food eagerly.

Key abilities include exceptional hearing, allowing him to detect distant distress calls or SOS signals before others, and a highly developed sense of smell used for tracking individuals. These traits make him effective during rescue missions. His daily activities involve assisting in bakery operations, driving the Anpanman-go vehicle, and participating in patrols.

Relationships form a core aspect of his character. His profound loyalty to Anpanman stems from the life-saving rescue. He shares close companionship with Batako, who helped tame him in early manga storylines. He interacts frequently with other heroic characters like Currypanman and Shokupanman and maintains a friendly rapport with Melonpanna. A romantic connection exists with a character named Rare Cheese.

Character trivia notes include his designation as a "wise dog" or "super watchdog" in supplementary materials. Official sources confirm his breed remains unidentified despite physical similarities to basset hounds in initial designs. His movement transitioned gradually from quadrupedal to primarily bipedal throughout the series, though he retains canine sitting postures.