The Mi-Ki is a small and elegant dog with stylish yet sturdy bearing. Uncertainty prevails over its origination with different theories telling different origins of this dog though no theory has been proven right scientifically or otherwise. Most popular theory places this dog in Asian region(most probably Malaysia) with its ancestors being the Papillon, Maltese and Japanese Chin. Another theory says these dogs were developed in USA by a woman named Micki Mackan who started the development of a new strain of dog with Papillon, Maltese, Japanese Chin and Shih Tzu. Later bloodlines from Papillon/Yorkshire Terrier mix were also added. What is known for sure is that this little dog was brought to USA in late 1980s.
As the breed has been split between different clubs with each club claiming its Mi-Ki the purest breed, no general standard for the breed has yet been set.
This is a small dog that stands between 10-12 inches and weighs about 10 lbs. It can have an apple doomed or round head with short and wide muzzle that leads to medium size black or self coloured nose with wide nostrils. Large and round eyes are set well apart. Erect or dropped ears are very mobile and feathered. Medium length neck blends smoothly into slightly longer than tall body. Topline is level and straight. Medium deep chest has well sprung ribs. The tail is set high and carried gaily and well arched over the body with fringing. The dog comes in either smooth coat or long coat in any colour.
Lack of set standard for this dog leads to the opinion that Mi-Ki is a collective name for a type of dog and not a breed and thus It is not recognized by AKC or any other major kennel club.