Cheese is a dog living at Uncle Jam's bakery, recognized by his light brown fur, rabbit-shaped ears, and dark brown tail tip. His origins lie in being rescued as a starving forest puppy by Anpanman during one of Anpanman's early patrols. In this rescue, Anpanman fed the distressed puppy part of his own head, leading to Cheese's adoption into the bakery. Batako, who works at the bakery, subsequently gave him his name.

Cheese demonstrates high intelligence, understanding human language and performing tasks comparable to other characters, though he communicates primarily through barks. The bakery inhabitants intuitively understand him, attributing this to their close bond and calling him a "wise dog." His personality blends loyalty and courage with comedic traits; he exhibits dramatic reactions, a large appetite, and occasional laziness in avoiding chores. He readily assists Anpanman during patrols, often carrying replacement heads or scurrying after distress signals, showcasing bravery in dangerous situations.

His abilities include an exceptional sense of smell for tracking across diverse terrains. He contributes to bakery operations like baking or driving the Anpanman-go vehicle and frequently detects SOS signals before others. Initially depicted moving on all fours, his design evolved to show him frequently walking upright while retaining canine postures when seated or resting. He sleeps in a loaf-shaped doghouse outside the bakery.

Cheese shares a profound bond with Anpanman, rooted in his rescue, and maintains close relationships with Uncle Jam and Batako, who collectively care for him. Supplementary materials identify Rare Cheese as his girlfriend. Across the franchise, including numerous films and television episodes, Cheese consistently appears as a supporting figure, aiding in heroic endeavors and daily bakery activities, his role integral to the series' depiction of community and resilience.