Mi - Ki   

Mi-Ki is pronounced Me-Key. It has a small "apple domed" head, with a well defined stop. (The International Mi-Ki Registry's, Mi-Ki heads are rounded, but not domed.) They have a short wide muzzle with a well defined stop (the region where the muzzle joins the skull), a muzzle that is pushed in or long and narrow are considered major faults.  The Muzzle length varies from 1/2 inch in length to 1 1/2 inches. The teeth are level to slightly undershot.  The eyes are large, round and set well apart, dark is most desirable, but blue with a blue colored coat and brown or ruby with a brown colored coat are acceptable. The nose is medium in size and flat on top with wide nostrils, never pinched. Generally the nose is black but can be self-colored on brown or lighter coated dogs. The ears are VERY MOBILE! The Mi-Ki ears can be carried erect or dropped. Both ear types are capable of "winging" their ears when extremely excited. Both ears must be either erect or dropped. All ears must be feathered. The neck is of medium length, and should never appear short or thick. Although the Mi-Ki appears Cobby, the body is slightly longer than the height, measured at the shoulders. The back line is straight and level. The chest is of medium depth. The ribs are well sprung. The forequarters have a well developed shoulder that is laid back to allow freedom of movement. The forelegs are always straight and never bowed.  Feathering must be present. The hindlegs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dew claws are usually removed, however some clubs state leaving the front due claws as optional. The Feet are hare-like in shape, thin and elongated.  ALL FOUR FEET must be shaved. When relaxed, the front feet may turn slightly outwards. The feet are dainty and slightly webbed. The tail is set high and carried gaily and well arched over the body with fringing. There are two coat types smooth and long. The Smooth Coat lies close to the body and skull with no presence of a beard or mustache on the face, and has short fringing on the ears and on both the front and rear legs and the tail. The Long Coat is fine, silky and straight, with long feathering on the ears and on both the front and rear legs, and on the tail. The Long-Coated Mi-Ki may have a Beard and Mustache and must have a neatly shaved head. All colors are acceptable, including Dilute Colors. Solid colors are rare and highly prized. The gait should be light and smooth with a free flowing action and when viewed from the front or rear it should be straight and true.  The general appearance should be one of elegance and grace, with long silky non-shedding hair.

The Mi-Ki is intelligent, calm, sweet natured, affectionate and their activity level is low to moderate. Friendly and alert, making an excellent companion to the handicapped. They are laid back, and seldom bark. Some also make a sound much like a yodel or a type of joyful twittering. They possess a high degree of intelligence, making them top candidates for the obedience ring. They love to be around people, and readily accept strangers. The Mi-Ki have a very even temperament, which makes them an ideal therapy dog. The Mi-Ki love kids. Most of the kids who have Mi-Ki's carry their Mi-Ki around, instead of a Teddy Bear. The Mi-Ki enjoys sunning on a window sill and washing themselves like a cat. In fact, one Mi-Ki raised an entire litter of abandoned Kittens. The Mi-Ki is not aggressive, nor are they intimidated by dogs. This same female who raised the litter of kittens also raised a litter of five Lamaleese puppies. By the time these pups were four weeks old they were almost as big as the Mi-Ki. They are extremely social and catlike in their mannerisms. The Mi-Ki is such an adaptable little dog, that many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have a pet, find they can indeed have a Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki can climb much like one of their ancestors the Japanese Chin and act catlike as they pounce on, chase and swat at their toys or playmates. They are easy to train and seem eager to adapt to your life style. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. When dogs are allowed to be pack leader to humans they can developed many types of behavior issues, including, but not limited to, being suspicious of and barking at strangers, guarding, separation anxiety, destructiveness, snapping, and even biting. These are NOT Mi-Ki traits, but rather behaviors resulting in a lack of leadership on the humans part. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. They need rules to follow, limits to what they are and are not allowed to do and a firm, consistent, confident pack leader, along with daily mental and physical exercise.

Height- 10 - 11 inches (25-28 cm.)
Weight- up to 10 pounds (5 k g.)Mi-Kis with shorter muzzles, particularly older dogs, are in definite risk of respiratory problems.  Mi-Ki teeth need frequent cleaning, particularly the short muzzled type.  Mi-Kis are also inclined to have excessive hair between their toes which traps dirt.  Having the face and feet shaven allows for easier care in keeping them clean and healthy.  The Mi-Ki is an excellent apartment or condo dog. They can easily be trained to use a litter box. They adapt to most climate but love to get outdoors for a walk. They can be happy and healthy with a small yard.The Mi-Ki need a daily walk.  Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard.For pets, use a wire comb once a week, to remove dead hair. Bath only when necessary.  The show cut for a Mi-Ki is very distinct. The head, neck, and ears are all shaven. This head shaving extends from the base of the skull to the base of the throat. The feet and legs are also shaven to the pastern. The shaving of the legs includes the dewclaws. It is also necessary to remove the hair from between the toes and around the pads. The reason for this cut is to reduce the risk of health problems.  The Mi-Ki sheds little to no hair.

According to the Mi-Ki ™  Club of America, Inc. the Mi-Ki is thought to be Asian.  The time frame of when this tiny toy dog is said to have appeared in the U.S. is approximately during the 1980's.  They share common ancestors with the Papillon, the Maltese, and the Japanese Chin.  Unfortunately the cloudy history of the Mi-Ki makes it impossible to tell the percentage of each breed in its make up.  The Mi-Ki was recognized by the States Kennel Club in 1995. According to the IMR, the Mi-Ki is a new breed started in the late 1980's by a woman who went by the name of Micki Mackin, among others.  She resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and it’s suburbs.  She started developing a strain of small dogs from the Papillon, Japanese Chin, Maltese and the small Shih Tzu and in 1993 there was a Papillon/Yorkshire Terrier mix stud that she introduced to some of the females.  Unfortunately, she did not keep accurate records, so the degree of mixture or combination of the breeds used is not known.  Some credit Micki Mackin with the use of her name when she called the little dogs Mi-Kis (pronounced Mee-Kee).  The International Mi-Ki Registry proclaims to be the Developing Founder.  The IMR has taken that strain and through a strict breeding program, including DNA profiling through the United Kennel Club, Inc., is developing and refining the Mi-Ki into a new "made in USA" pure breed.

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