History of the Mi-Ki breed

This is so far what I have researched:

NOTE: ( all are welcome to join in and respectfully and with citations  inform me so that I can add, correct, and advance the research of the Mi-Ki breed, that is what this blog is intended to do and nothing else. Please note that my research is still an ongoing process and I will keep on adding to the blog as I come across information from a credible source and can cite them, thank you for your interest.)

 History of the Mi-Ki Breed

The Mi-Ki breed today is recognized as a made in the USA pure breed dog, but it's history is still somewhat obscure.The purpose of this blog is to aid in the accurate search for the Mi-Ki breed's true origin. 

 Per the Mi-Ki Club of America, "before the Mi-Ki received recognition (accepted as a pure bred dog ), by a known organization, the Mi-Ki breed was not allowed to publish in well known dog magazines, like Dog World, Dog Fancy, etc. These dog magazines have a policy that a " breed" of dog must be accepted, before they would allow a breeder or club to advertise. So until States Kennel Club accepted the Mi-Ki as a breed, through the Greater American Toy Mi-Ki Club in 19 _ _, no one knew the breed existed. States Kennel Club (SKC ) required the Greater American Toy Mi-Ki Club to submit Stud Books to them."

The Founder of the Breed

According to the Mi-Ki Club of America(MCOA,) the oldest club of the Mi-Ki breed in existence today, the founder of the breed Maureen VanWormer-Westberg of Wisconsin, began creating the breed in the late 1980/90’s right here in the USA. Maureen was nicknamed Micky and this is where the breed's name, Mi-Ki  pronounced Mee-Key) originated from. Maureen was known as Reverend Maureen Westberg , and per the International Mi-Ki registry an AKC Shitzu breeder (although they do not mention Maureens name, they just say the creator.)  Per Dominique De Vito, author of "World  Atlas of Dog breeds,"  Rev. Maureen's intent in creating the Mi-Ki breed was to develop a companion breed that was hardy and sturdy, thus the breed was born.

Donna Hall Founder of the first recorded stud book

Research conducted in this blog was unable to find exactly how Donna Hall was associated with Maureen prior to the making of the Mi-Ki's stud book and Donna obtaining Rev. Maureen's breeding dogs. Donna Hall is said to be the founder of the pure breed Mi-Ki stud book records,  a judge and exhibitor. Donna is said to have lead the way to the breeds recognition, since  it the one said to exist and accepted as the stud book for the first Mi-Ki pure breed recognition by the States Kennel Club, BKC,  IABCA, and  UCI-RVD and the only one known to have a USA copyright (MCOA).

  

Note: There is a dispute regarding the authenticity of Maureen giving the dogs to Donna Hall, some say yes she gave them to Donna, while other's say she never gave them to her, she asked for assistance while sick and Donna kept them and did not give them back, but there is no evidence to either side. The only solid lead was a video from Maureen herself, please see:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnvqZucFiTQ

Also it is said that Maureen made up that the Mi-Ki began with dogs brought back from China called Won Chu Kow to make the breed more exotic and harder to duplicate.

Mi-Ki Stud books 

In 1992, Donna Hall began began to keep stud records of the Mi-Ki, these records are the only known records to be accepted by the states kennel club and the only ones with  USA copy rights. "The first two Mi-Ki['s] entered into the stud books were Flyers Sugar and Flyers Boo-Boo" (MCOA.)  

Stud Books first had to be compiled, and then had to be submitted to SKC for proof that the breed was a breed of pure bred dogs, with no other breed of dog, being introduced into the breeding program. Donna Hall founded the only known stud books in the history of the breed in 1992 when she purchased her first two Mi-Ki's named Flyers Sugar, and Flyers Boo-Boo.These were the first two Mi-Ki entered into the stud books. From that point the stud books grew. Next a Breed Standard [was written.]

The members of the Greater American Toy Mi-Ki Club encouraged their members to submit a breed standard. Only two were submitted. One by Maureen Westberg, and one by Donna Hall.

Donna Hall, submitted both breed standards to numerous UKC licensed judges. All of the judges chose Donna Hall's breed standard, and all of the judges that responded made suggestions, and most were added to the standard. Thus the Mi-Ki was on it's way.

Breeds used in the making of the Mi-Ki breed 

 NOTE: The following material listed below is in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM intended to take ANY  Mi-Ki club's side, merely the way the clubs themselves view and post the history of the Mi-Ki. I do not belong to any Mi-Ki club at this time because I want to remain objective when writing this blog.

Mi-KI Club of America (MCOA)- Founded in 1992, after the original Mi-Ki club, The Greater American Toy Mi-Ki Club, disbanded, some of the same members of the original club founded MCOA.  The MCOA AKA The Parent, Father, Mother Club, is the oldest club in existence today. For some unknown reason the original club was disbanded and Rev. Maureen attended the meeting and was in agreement in the decision to disband, but  was not invited to become part of MCOA, and MCOA severed all connections with Rev Maureen after that. MCOA States that the only origins of the Mi-Ki's that are recorded in their stud books from Donna to now, are the Papillon, the Maltese, and the Japanese Chin, and claims that if there are any other breeds in the breed of a Mi-Ki than it is not a pure breed Mi-Ki it is a mix. http://www.rarebreedmi-kidogs.com/index.html 

International Mi-Ki Registry (IMR)- The International Mi-Ki Registry was founded in 1999. Their stance on the history of the breeds used to make the Mi-Ki's studs is that Maureen , although  her name is not mentioned,  it's implied by the description of "the creator" was an AKC Shitzu breeder who used the Papillon, Maltese, Japanese Chin, and the Yorkshire Terrier to mix into some of her Shitzus, and therefor create the Mi-Ki.  http://www.imrmikis.com/

Continental Mi-Ki Club (CMC)-  Club was founded in 2002, after some members left the MCOA, they founded their own club. The stand of the history of this breed is unknown since it's not stated in their website. http://www.cmamiki.com/index.html

The American Mi-Ki Registry Association (AMRA)- Can't find date when founded on their website, but copyright to website cites 2006- History of the clubs making not registered in their website. The AMRA claims that the exact breeds used to make the Mi-Ki is "uncertain", they base their claim because in their own written words there is a lack of "hardcore evidence." However, like the MCOA, the AMRA also comes into agreement with the acknowledgement that the Mi-Ki does share ancestry with the Papillon, Maltese, and Japanese Chin.  http://www.americanmi-kiregistryassociation.com/index.php?id=home

Mi-Ki Breeders USA- Year unknown, not listed in their website, copyright says 2012,according to MCOA it was founded by some of MCOA prior members. History stand of breed unknown, since it's not mentioned in their website. http://www.mi-kibreedersusa.com

/index.html

International Canine Kennel Club (ICKC)- Founded in 1990 by the founder of rarities, and compete internationally. Their stance on the history of the Mi-Ki breed is that is made up of the Maltese, Papillon, and Japanese Chin                                   http://www.internationalcaninekennelclub.com/uploads/Mi-Ki_Standard.pdf

The American Mi-Ki Club (AMC) - is a National Parent Club established in 2008  , their stance on the make up of the breed is that  it's "somewhat of a mystery despite the explanation of the breed developer, Maureen Westburg of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and that, "Unfortunately, there were not accurate records depicting the exact history of this wonderful breed." http://americanmi-kiclub.com/

Seeking acceptance of the breed

The first Mi-Ki club is started,1992 (Dominique De Vito, author of "World  Atlas of Dog breeds). The Greater American Toy Mi-Ki club was founded by Mi-Ki founder Rev. Maureen Westberg (AKA Micky) and stud book founder Donna Hall. They become incorporated in the state of Wisconsin, and invite all Mi-Ki dog  owners whose studs were listed in their stud books to join the club. The club adopts the UKC's point system is adopted in order for "Mi-Ki owners to exhibit the Mi-Ki and receive Championships under the new club's regulations and point system" (MCOA.) 

The Mi-Ki is shown in the United Kennel Club (date not given,)- in the Misc. class, Flyers Sugar became the first Champion and Flyers Boo-Boo became the first Grand Champion, under the Mi-Ki club's records and point championships. The Mi-Ki continued to be shown at licensed UKC shows, until UKC changed it's rules (MCOA.) 

The Mi-Ki changes hands from Rev. Maureen to Donna Hall- Due to a fire in Rev, Maureen Westberg's home, she becomes too ill and asks Donna to take her breeding stock. Donna accepts and Rev Maureen gives up all rights to the dogs given to Donna. It's unknown if Rev. Maureen ever kept any of her Mi-Ki breeding stock."Donna Hall calls all of the the current Mi-Ki breeders in the club and asks if they wish to receive Rev. Westberg's Mi-Ki's. Two breeders in Illinois, JoAnn Creviston and Nancy Osborne receive the majority of  Rev. Westberg's Breeding stock. Donna Hall does keep a few of the original dogs" (MCOA.)


The Sates Kennel Club gives the breed Recognition Around 1996 - "Donna Hall submits [application] to SKC for Breed Recognition. SKC accepts the Mi-Ki as a breed and accepts the Mi-Ki Club's Official Breed Standard. The Mi-Ki Club went on to hold it's first SKC sanctioned pointed specialty show" (MCOA.)

IABCA ACCEPTS THE Mi-Ki To Be Shown -" Donna Hall submits [application] to the IABCA for the Mi-Ki To Be Shown at their Shows.The Mi-Ki is accepted. Today the IABCA has issued numerous Mi-Ki champion Certificates, and is the host of many Mi-Ki specialties"(MCOA.)      

The Mi-Ki Club of America receives International Recognition- " Donna Hall submits an extensive history of the breed to Germany. Through the help of a German [liaison,] the Mi-Ki Club of America and it's official breed standard receive recognition. The UCI-RVD exclusive recognition allows MCOA breeders to show their dogs through out the world" (MCOA.)

FIRST MI-KI IS EXPORTED TO GERMANY - This historical event occurred in 2004. "The dog that was exported was co-bred by Donna Hall and Dennis and Victoria Larson. The dog was registered as Flyers Call me Dr. Doo Little. He was also the first Mi-Ki registered and shown throughout Europe. Very early in 2005 he achieved his Championship and became the first Mi-Ki to achieve Championship status. He was also inducted into The Mi-Ki Club of America's Hall of Fame, because of this historical milestone. This Mi-Ki will make a trip from Germany to the USA to exhibit at the 2005 Mi-Ki Club of America's National Specialty" (MCOA.) 

FIRST MI-KI APPEARS IN A DOG ENCYCLOPEDIA - A Mi-Ki dog represented by Champion Flyers Avalanche appeared in the German encyclopedia of dog breeds (MCOA.)

FIRST MI-KI DOGS EXPORTED TO SPAIN - One Adult Finished Champion Female and two puppies are exported to Spain in May of 2005. A Finished Champion male will be joining them in June of 2005. The two adults were bred by Donna Hall, and were owned by Kathy Carmen who attained their Championships here in the USA. Kathy also bred the two puppies that were exported to Spain. These Mi-Ki will be exhibited in the USA and in Europe(MCOA.)

FIRST MI-KI DOG TO BE EXPORTED TO RUSSIA - The First Mi-Ki Dog will be exported to Russia. This Mi-Ki was bred by Donna Hall(MCOA.)

MCOA and American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) -  The Mi-Ki Club of America announces that on March 17, 2007, their Mi-Ki's  were shown at an ARBA show in Kalamazoo Michigan (MCOA.)

DNA Marker discovered-  The "AMRA had the wonderful privilege of being involved in the creation of the first genetic DNA marker to identify the Mi-Ki Breed. You can now have your Mi-Ki Puppy or Mi-Ki Dog tested to see if it is, in fact, a true Mi-Ki. To learn more about this test, please visit: www.wisdompanel.com  To accurately be able to identify the Mi-Ki Marker, you MUST have your veterinarian submit a blood sample in the kit provided to you by Mars Wisdom Panel (AMRA.)  

Links to Mi-Ki Information

The Mi-Ki has been accepted as a breed by the;

ANIMAL PLANET - http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-season-4/  &nbsp  ;Check this one out, click on it, then once there go down the breeds, click on the MI-KI and enjoy.

Rare breed Association- http://www.cdhpr.com/CDHPRWeb.nsf/WebPages/Enrolled

Then there is APRI, ACA, NCA, North American Kennel Club,MCOA, IABCA, UCI in Germany, and yes, ARBA.

Reputable dog magazines: Dog World, Dog Fancy, Dogs USA, and Puppies USA, as indicated on,

 DogChannel.com: http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-breeds/dog-breed-profiles/mi-ki-dogs-dog-breed.aspxThe  “World Atlas of Dog Breeds”

world Atlas of Dog Breeds.6th Edition, by Dominique De Vito, released May 2009, Pages 580, 581, 930, and 934. 

DNA Marker- The Mi-Ki has it's own DNA marker so you are able to tell if you have a pure breed Mi-Ki, not a mixed breed but a purebred dog whose DNA profile is different enough from all other breeds that a DNA marker has been discovered for this rare canine, http://www.wisdompanel.com/breed_count_matters/mi-ki/

In conclusion, this broad recognition indicates the Mi-Ki has earned a specific pure breed status, and it is not a mixed breed. It is my hope that the information provided has been able to help or aid in your research of the breed. Please take the time to visit my website eleganttinypawsmikipuppies.com to see if there are any Mi-Ki puppies available.