Cheese is a small, light brown dog distinguished by rabbit-shaped ears and a dark brown tail tip. Earlier artistic depictions showed his ears darker than his body. He lives in a loaf-shaped doghouse outside Uncle Jam's bakery, equipped with his own food and water bowls.

His origin begins when a young Anpanman, on his first patrol, discovered him as a hungry, crying puppy alone in the forest. Anpanman fed him part of his own head, saving him from starvation. Batako-san later named him "Cheese" at the bakery where he was brought.

Cheese demonstrates high intelligence, understanding human language and performing tasks effectively, communicating primarily through barks understood by others due to mutual familiarity and his status as a "wise dog." His personality mixes comic relief and bravery; he is often over-dramatic, silly, and has a large appetite, yet readily charges into danger to help Anpanman. He is lazy about chores but actively participates in bakery work and patrols, frequently driving the Anpanman-go vehicle and being the first to spot SOS signals.

A physical evolution occurred across the series: initially walking predominantly on four legs, he gradually transitioned to walking upright on two legs more often, though he retains typical canine sitting and sleeping postures. His key ability is an exceptional sense of smell, enabling him to track scents and locate individuals or paths.

He shares a close bond with Butterko, occasionally spends time with Melonpanna, and has a romantic interest named Rare Cheese. His role often involves practical assistance, such as transporting Anpanman's replacement heads during missions.