Meiken Cheese is a light brown dog featuring distinctive rabbit-shaped ears and a dark brown tail tip. His ears appear darker than his body in manga and picture book adaptations. Anpanman rescued him as a hungry, crying puppy from a forest during the TV series' first episode. Batako-san named him "Cheese" at the bakery, where he now lives in a loaf-shaped doghouse outside, equipped with personal food and water bowls. Cheese demonstrates high intelligence by understanding human speech and performing tasks effectively despite lacking speech. He communicates through barks, deciphered by bakery residents through mutual familiarity. His personality blends dramatic silliness and comic relief with genuine bravery, often charging into danger to aid Anpanman. He frequently handles Anpanman’s replacement head during crises. While helpful in bakery chores, he occasionally avoids tasks due to laziness and exhibits a large appetite, eating enthusiastically. His primary ability is an enhanced sense of smell for tracking individuals or identifying paths. Acute hearing allows him to detect distant SOS signals earliest, typically alerting others first. Historically quadrupedal, he now primarily walks upright on two legs but retains canine sitting and sleeping postures. Cheese shares a close friendship with Butterko and a romantic connection with Rare Cheese. His role involves consistent support for Anpanman’s team during missions and daily bakery activities.