The Mi-Ki is a toy breed, whose earliest history is shrouded in uncertainty. Although no official records are available, there’s not much debate about Maureen Westburg being the founder of the Mi-Ki. It is believed that it took Maureen approximately 10 years, 1981 to 1991 to develop the strain that we recognize today as the Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki was not created in Asia or any other county, Maureen developed her beloved little breed, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

 

There is some debate to the number of different breeds that Maureen used to create the original strain. Some say, “Maureen mixed a combination of the following (6) six toy breeds;

1.     Maltese

2.     Imperial Ch’In also known as the Japanese Spaniel, i.e.; Japanese Chin

3.     Papillon

4.     Shih-Tzu

5.     Tibetan Spaniel

6.     Yorkshire Terrier””

The most common belief is that Maureen mixed a combination of the following (3) three toy breeds;

1.     Maltese

2.     Imperial Ch’In also known as the Japanese Spaniel, i.e.; Japanese Chin

3.     Papillon

 

The Mi-Ki has traits from all (3) three of the breeds listed above. (Example: The Japanese Chin is very cat like and can climb extremely well. The Papillion is one of the brightest, most trainable, and the least yappy of the toy breeds.  The Maltese seems to be without fear. Their trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing, and they are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet are spirited, lively and playful, as well as vigorous.) The Mi-Kis wonderful traits are too many to list. As Mi-Ki owner’s, we can assure you that the Mi-Ki has a combination of all these wonderful traits and that they are all these wonderful toy breeds wrapped up into one small package.

 

There are no official records of Maureen’s breedings/pairings or the percentages of each breed or the order of the combinations bred or even which dogs continued to be used for developing the stain that we know as the Mi-Ki. What ever the combination of the breeds used, all Mi-Ki owners agree that this toy breed is like NO other of the toy breeds.

 

The TEE-NEE and the IN CHAN TING kennel names were used by Maureen.  The Tee-Nee and In Chan Ting kennel names appear on all Mi-Ki pedigrees, since the Mi-Ki was created by Maureen alone.

 

It is thought that in early 1991 Maureen Westberg organized the 1^st Mi-Ki club, the Imperial Toy Mi-Ki Club (ITMC). It is presumed that this is when Maureen wrote the original breed standard.  The Mi-Ki breed standard written by Maureen clearly states that  the short coated Mi-Ki, i.e.; smooth coats do not meet the breed standard. ALL short/smooth coated Mi-Kis are to be spayed and neutered at (6) six months of age and are to be placed into pet homes only. All Mi-Kis are to have long coats only.

 

Maureen Westberg decided to name her strain, the Mi-Ki breed.  It is believed that Maureen named this breed “Mi-Ki” for one or maybe even both of the following reasons.

1.     Her nickname since a little girl in grade school was and still is Mikkie

2.     The Asian name Mi-Ki pronounced Mee-Kee, which means new life-new beginning.

 

However Maureen created this wonderful toy breed or whichever breed combinations are correct, all Mi-Ki owners agree that the Mi-Ki is a very unique toy breed.