Mi-Ki

6-10 lbs
8-10"
United States
Miki

One of the newest toy breeds in the canine world, the Mi-ki (pronounced mee-kee) may be small in size, but they’ll undoubtedly have a massive impact on your life. They have bundles of energy, a cheery disposition and a coat with hypoallergenic qualities — what more could you want?

What is a Mi-ki dog? In this guide, you’ll discover:

  • They’re understood to be a mix of several different dog breeds
  • The American Mi-ki Club has set breed standards
  • Mi-kis are considered generally quite healthy, but some have dental issues
  • They sometimes need to be carried home if they tire during walks


Mi-ki Breed Overview

There are a whole host of reasons why somebody might prefer a toy breed over something larger — perhaps a parent lives in a small apartment or isn’t able to walk for long periods of time.

So, the Mi-ki is a superb choice for anybody considering a fun-sized pup, even if they’re not as widely well known as, say, Yorkshire Terriers or Shih Tzus. In the few decades they’ve been around, they’ve gained a reputation as lively and feisty companions. 

Like any small dog, they might get a little bossy at times, but they usually respond well to firm and consistent authority.

And how can we not mention their adorable appearances? Their big eyes will melt any heart and their impressive coats (either long and silky or short and smooth) will always draw admiring glances. 



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purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
1980's
ancestry Ancestry
Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier

Mi-Ki Health

Average Size
Male Mi-Ki size stats
Height: 8-10 inches Weight: 6-10 lbs
Female Mi-Ki size stats
Height: 8-10 inches Weight: 6-10 lbs
Major Concerns
  • None Known
Minor Concerns
  • Dental Problems
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Ear Infections
  • Eye Problems
  • Breathing Difficulties
Occasional Tests
  • Dental Examination
  • Regular Full Physical Examination By Veterinarian
  • Eye Examinations (both internal as well as external)
  • Eye and Ear Examination

Mi-Ki Breed History

The Mi-ki is essentially a hybrid, but unlike other dogs of mixed parentage — such as the Labraheeler or the Shepsky — their exact lineage isn’t as clear-cut. This is because the Mi-ki’s origin is hotly debated, with some people believing they originated in Asia while others credit the United States as their birthplace. 

One strong theory for the latter of these has the inventor as Reverend Maureen van Wormer, a Wisconsin-based breeder who created the Mi-ki over three decades and lent the new variety her childhood nickname (‘Mikki’).

There are some things that we can say with more authority. For starters, the Mi-ki emerged in the 1980s, a period when the craze for crossbreeding dogs took off in a big way.

It can also be reasonably assumed that more than two breeds have gone into the mix, including the Maltese, Papillon and Japanese Chin. There might also be a dash of Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu in there, too.

There have been various organizations set up over the years dedicated to this new breed, but the leading authority today is the American Mi-ki Club (AMC), which was launched in 2007. The board of directors published their first-ever breed standards in 2017.

Mi-Ki Breed Appearance

What does a Miki dog look like? Well, the first thing you’ll notice is that they’re small. In fact, very, very small. A full grown Miki dog rarely breaks 10 inches in height, nor ten pounds in weight. They have a compact yet well-proportioned body, short legs ending in tiny rounded paws, and a long feathered tail that’s often carried high above their backs.

They’re certainly dainty dogs and this impression is only furthered by their pretty coats, of which there are two main variations. 

There’s the long-coated Mi-ki with fine and silky fur, plus long feathering on the tail, legs and ears, as well as around the face. There’s also the short-coated Mi-ki with smooth, straight fur that sits close to the skin — they don’t have the characterful mustache or beard, either.

Whatever the texture of the fur, they can be found in a range of colorways, including a mixture of cream, red, white, fawn, brown and black — solid colors are rare. On the face, eyes are typically blue or brown, while noses tend to be black. The ears can either be erect or hang down like wings.

Eye Color Possibilities
blue Mi-Ki eyes
Blue
brown Mi-Ki eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Mi-Ki nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
cream Mi-Ki coat
Cream
red Mi-Ki coat
Red
fawn Mi-Ki coat
Fawn
white Mi-Ki coat
White
brown Mi-Ki coat
Brown
black Mi-Ki coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Mi-Ki straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Mi-Ki Breed Maintenance

One of the big reasons Mi-ki dogs have proved popular with parents is that they’re low shedding and widely considered to be hypoallergenic (as much as any dog breed can be hypoallergenic). There are other breeds thought to be hypoallergenic too. Not only is this great news for those who suffer from pet fur allergies, but it also means a Mi-ki doesn’t shed very much.

Having said that, it’s still good practice to brush their hair, as this can prevent matting — fortunately, they usually enjoy this attention. Bathing is okay to do infrequently, but be sure to use a mild dog shampoo that won’t strip the coat’s natural oils.

As well as this, parents will need to find time for teeth brushing, nail clipping and ear cleaning to prevent the risk of infections.

Although the Miki dog breed is certainly small, you’ll wonder where they get all their energy from as they race about the house — or apartment, for that matter. Unlike other breeds, a Mi-ki doesn’t need a large backyard as even a modestly sized living room is big enough for them to wear themselves out.

They still need to be walked a bit, but seven miles a week should suffice. There will be occasions when they get tired mid-exercise, but their diminutive frame means they can be lifted up and carried home.



Mi-ki Health Risks

Although the Mi-ki as a distinct breed is in its infancy, the early signs suggest that they’re less affected by genetic disorders common in purebred dogs.

This might be the scientific concept of hybrid vigor in action, but it could also be too premature for patterns of disease to have fully emerged in the breed, especially as the number of Mi-kis in the world is relatively small.

There are some health issues for pet parents to watch out for, however, including:

Brachycephalic Syndrome

One common health complication is a legacy of the tendency for some Miki dogs to be born with a short muzzle, which can lead to Brachycephalic Syndrome.

This happens when a dog’s airways are restricted due to their facial anatomy and is more common in dogs with compressed faces (think Pugs and French Bulldogs). The main symptoms are loud and labored breathing, along with overheating and difficulty when it comes to eating.

If your Mi-ki is affected by this, a vet can try to alleviate the worst symptoms with surgery, but this might not always be possible. Instead, parents can look to make lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, less exercise or walking at cooler parts of the day.

Dental problems

There also seems to be a higher incidence of periodontal, or dental, disease within the Mi-ki community. The same is true of a lot of toy breeds. Parents can play a role in reducing the risk by brushing their dog’s teeth several times a week, as well as arranging regular check-ups with the vet.

Patellar Luxation

Another affliction to which toy breeds are predisposed is Patellar Luxation. This occurs when the kneecap regularly dislocates while the dog is walking or running, leading to limping and pain. Often, this is an inherited condition, but it can also be the result of trauma.

As a problem that affects many breeds, vets are usually well-equipped to deal with this issue. Surgery is the most common treatment option, while medication can be used to deal with the discomfort and inflammation.



Although the Mi-ki appears to be a healthy canine variety, parents need to stay on top of their care needs — a wellness plan includes testing, annual shots and grooming sessions.




What to feed a Mi-ki

As a toy breed, the Mi-ki should be given dog food designed for smaller canines. Not only will the nutritional levels be catered to their needs, but kibble in dry recipes will be a suitable size for their tiny mouths.

It has been noted that Mi-ki dogs can occasionally be fussy when it comes to food, but this pickiness can often be overcome with a little variety and even games in which they have to find the food.

We won’t lie, here are a lot of dog foods on the market. Thankfully, our partner Dog Food Advisor has done the hard work of sifting through all the options and putting together a list of the very best available for small breeds, such as the Mi-ki.



Brushes for Mi-Ki
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Dematter
Dematter
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Mi-Ki requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Mi-Ki Temperament

Almost every Mi-ki parent you meet will attest to the fact that this is a breed that’s a real joy to be around. Friendly and affectionate, this well-mannered nature extends to young children, strangers and other dogs as well.

Training is usually quite easy too, especially when the odd treat or two is used as an incentive. They’re also often up for a bit of playtime, whether that’s chasing a ball or searching for hidden toys.

Unlike other toy breeds, they don’t tend to bark too much, but you might occasionally hear a cat-like yodel coming from their mouths!

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Mi-Ki Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Mi-Ki Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Mi-Ki size stats at six months
Height: 5.5 inches Weight: 3.5 lbs
Female Mi-Ki size stats at six months
Height: 5.5 inches Weight: 3.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Mi-Ki size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.0 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
Female Mi-Ki size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.0 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Mi-Ki size stats at 18 months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 9.5 lbs
Female Mi-Ki size stats at 18 months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 9.5 lbs

Mi-Ki Owner Experiences

charlie
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
sitting outside
Taking long walks
catching his ball mid-air
playing with mini tennis
rolling around in the grass
Fetch
Play
Go to Park
hes is just a fun loving dog overall. he can play with his mini tennis ball for HOURS AND HOURS on end. he loves to jist play outside. me and him have a special bond, he turns three august 7th 2023 and we share a birthday, its almost like we have that special brother-sister bond. he can be very stingy but thats just something we love about him. he is very small and cuddly
1 year, 3 months ago
charlie
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
sitting outside
Taking long walks
catching his ball mid-air
playing with mini tennis
rolling around in the grass
Fetch
Play
Go to Park
hes is just a fun loving dog overall. he can play with his mini tennis ball for HOURS AND HOURS on end. he loves to jist play outside. me and him have a special bond, he turns three august 7th 2023 and we share a birthday, its almost like we have that special brother-sister bond. he can be very stingy but thats just something we love about him. he is very small and cuddly
1 year, 3 months ago
Mojo
8 Weeks
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He’s a new baby boy that Will had happiness and memories to my life! He’s adorable!
2 years, 7 months ago
Stan
18 Weeks
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Amazing, he’s a funny cheeky well behaved little boy
2 years, 9 months ago
Milo
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Daily
Very affectionate, very alert and protective. The friendliest dog I’ve ever met. Very good temperament. He’s my third child.
3 years ago
TORI
9 Years
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She notifies me when sugar is low and has alerted me to other situations such as people in the hall before they enter, or people in the yard.
5 years, 3 months ago
Hannah May
8 Weeks
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
They are the sweetest and most lovable dogs.
4 years, 2 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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