Meiken Cheese is a dog character living in Uncle Jam's bakery. He originated as a hungry forest puppy rescued during Anpanman's very first patrol. Anpanman brought him to the bakery, where Batako-san named him Cheese. His permanent home is a loaf-shaped doghouse on the bakery premises.

Physically, Cheese appears as a small, light brown dog sporting distinctive short rabbit-shaped ears and a dark brown tail tip. Early manga and picture books depicted his ears as a darker brown than his body. His presentation evolved over time, transitioning from primarily four-legged to mostly bipedal locomotion, though he retains typical canine sitting and sleeping postures.

Cheese possesses keen intelligence, understanding human language and effectively performing tasks alongside other characters. Though unable to speak verbally, he communicates through barks consistently understood by the bakery inhabitants and Anpanman's allies. His personality blends bravery and helpfulness with occasional laziness regarding chores, plus comedic traits like dramatic flair, silliness, and a notably large appetite. He often rushes into danger to aid Anpanman.

His established abilities include exceptional olfactory senses for tracking and acute hearing. These enable him to detect SOS signals early and locate individuals by following trails. Within the bakery, he assists with baking and deliveries, frequently operating the Anpanman-go vehicle. A recurring role involves transporting or throwing Anpanman's replacement heads during emergencies.

In narrative contexts, such as the *Shabondama no Purun* story, Cheese actively drives plot progression. He discovers the lost flute belonging to Purun, a bubble performer struggling with her abilities, and takes initiative to return it. This occurs against Baikinman's takeover of the bubble castle, positioning Cheese within the broader conflict resolution alongside Anpanman. His relationship with bakery assistant Batako-san is especially close.

Additional background notes specify his exact dog breed remains officially unidentified. Early stories briefly experimented with limited speech capabilities using words followed by "woof", but this approach was discontinued. Contemporary portrayals maintain his communication exclusively through barks. His connections extend to a romantic relationship with Rare Cheese.