Everyone always asks What a Mi-Ki is, and how to pronounce it.
The Average pure bred Mi-Ki adult is about 5-7 pounds. You can find some much smaller, and some a little bit bigger. They are extremely smart, and are a non-agressive dog. They are easily trained to use a cat box. They are very ecominical to feed, eating on the average of 1/4 cup of a good quality dog food such as Eukanuba.They get along well with other animals, especially horses and cats. For some unknown reason both horses and cats show absolutely no fear of a Mi-Ki. Currently there are 4 Mi-Ki dogs being used today as Theraphy Dogs in private practice with Phycologists. Two are in the USA, and one in Canada. The forth Mi-Ki was certifed by his owner as an official Theraphy Dog allowed in hospitals,nursing homes, etc.
The long coated Mi-Ki does not shed, but the dead hair must be combed out of their coat once a week, with a fine to medium metal " hound comb". The nice thing is " NO GROOMER" is need to maintain the Mi-Ki. You may give your Mi-Ki a bath about every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how dirty your Mi-Ki gets. A Mi-Ki will easily fit in your back pack for the person wants to take their dog on hiking trips, or you can put TWO in an under the seat approved soft sided,airline carrier.
So You Want A Certain Color
We had to add this paragraph, because so many people see a certain colored pup and want just that color. Well very few breeders will not tell you that your pup will probably change colors. Yes, the Mi-Ki, as well as many other breeds, changes it's coat color. Some of my recent experiences will shock you, just like they shocked me. I have a beautiful gold & white puppy with perfect markings. He is now obtaining his new coat, and his new coat color is a fascinating "peachy" apricot. Of course his white markings will remain. Then the really, most unusual coat color change that I have ever experienced as a breeder, is a puppy that was born a beatiful Blue with white markings. Well here is the shocker, she is now a Red/Chocolate and white. So don't go by a puppy just because you want a certain color, unless you find a breeder who has the puppy tested by Gene Coat Color Verification. This test is done through a genetics lab, and little brushes are used inside the pup's cheek. The cells are sent into a genetics lab, and they send back the color coated gene certificate printed out with your pups coat color genetics. This test still does not tell the outward coat color, but tells it's owner what color genes it carries, and may pass on to it's offspring. This is a new project being used by the Mi-Ki Club of America. Look at our separate page for this info.
They are not a " loud mouthed " or "yippy" breed. We took two on an 8 hour flight to Germany, and everyone was amazed that we even had dogs with us. They never have to be sedated !They are quite happy to just be near you.
Recently I was told about a Mi-Ki who was a constant devoted companion of a lady who became bed ridden. Her Mi-Ki slept on her bed, by her side until she died. Another cancer patient who lost her battle with this disease had a Mi-Ki who was allowed to visit her at a local hospital during her treatments.
Sound To Good To Be True ?
Well that's what one man admitted to me AFTER he had adopted a Mi-Ki, BUT, he just chuckled and said to me " I thought we were just over enthuseastic, but everything you said was true." He called me after having his pup for three weeks saying " there is something wrong with my Mi-Ki." I asked what the problem was and he said, " He Doesn't Bark. " I just reassured him that this was normal in the breed. He was happy to know his Mi-Ki was okay.
