Toy Mi-Ki vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison

The Pyrenean Shepherd hails from Spain where he has always been used to herd sheep. Some people believe he is a descendant of the French Catalan Sheepdog while others say from the Briard. Nobody is too sure.

He is actually the smallest of the French herding breeds. It is interesting to note that he still does this herding job today. It was in the 19th century that a few of these dogs left for America with shepherds who found work herding flocks in the American West.

These dogs were also used in World War 1 as messenger dogs.

It was during the 1970's and 1980's that breeding programs were started for the dog and The Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America was formed in 1987. The dog was also recognized in 2009 by the American Kennel Club.

The Toy Mi-Ki is a sociable companion dog. He hasn’t got a long history, and the little bit of history there is, isn’t clear.

It is believed that the breed was bought about by Maureen Westburg. It was in the 1980s that she crossed several toy breeds to develop the Mi-Ki. It is thought that she gave the dog the name Mi-Ki because her name was Mikkie. It seems whe wanted a dog that came close to looking like a gremlin.

Some of the dogs used in the breeding program were the Japanese Chin, the Maltese, and the Papillon. The International Miki Registry is trying to get recognition with the United Kennel Club for this dog. There are other canine clubs and organizations that recognize the Mi-Ki Dog as a breed.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is a medium-sized dog standing at between 38 and 50cm in height and weighing between 14 and 20kg.

His head is fairly small with large, bright, expressive eyes. The ears are semi-erect. The tail has always traditionally been docked but often left long these days.

He comes with two different coat types – rough and smooth with sometimes both types being in the same litter. The dog is a regular shedder. The coat can be medium length or long and slightly wavy with a harsh texture. The coat can be of the shorter type with finer, softer hair. The coat is available in different colors and patterns, and can be a fawn color or grey and you will find a black overlay occasionally with some white. The coat can be tri-colored or he can be in solid colors such as cream or white.

Temperament:

Your feisty Pyrenean Shepherd is a dog with plenty of personality. He is also full of energy and will love to live with a outdoorsy-type family who are always on the go, because he’s in on everything.

He is distrustful of strangers and this together with the fact that he is so alert, makes him a splendid watchdog too.

He will need to be trained and socialized as he can be overly robust. He becomes obedient and well mannered, being totally dedicated to his owner. It isn’t easy for him to be separated from his beloved human owner.

The small Toy Miki stands at between 25 cm – 30 cm in height and weighs between 2 – 5kg. You get two different coat types – long and short and the long-haired variety also has quite a bit of hair around the face.

His longish coat is low-shedding which makes him popular for people who battle with allergies. The Miki Dog will produce about 2 – 4 puppies.

As a toy dog, he has a domed head with large eyes. Their ears are feathered and are carried erect and the tail is long and feathered.

Temperament:

These little dogs are popular companion dogs and they’re intelligent and loving, making the ideal pet for anyone.

It’s a friendly dog and yet he will bark to alert you of an intruder. Youll take notice because he isn’t the kind of dog that just yaps away.

Children love them and they make great playmates for children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

Their small size and their adaptable nature make them suitable for city or country living. Sweet and amicable, the social purebred Toy Mi-Ki is everything you want in a companion.

He is loyal and devoted, calm and adaptable. They’re not the kind of dogs to go jogging with you, but nonetheless, he will still need his exercise – walks every day as well as ball games.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is essentially a one-person dog, becoming totally attached to one particular person in the family.

He is known as a dog who becomes totally loyal to his human family, getting on well with children as well as with other pets in the home.

He is aloof and wary of strangers. Training and socialization is important so as to avoid aggression and fear. This is one dog that requires being diligently exercised every day.

He is a great watchdog, and when you add up all his fantastic qualities, you get to realize what a splendid companion and pet this wonderful dog makes.

The Mi-Ki is calm and good-natured, and because of his cuteness, he can’t help but become a lap dog, if you allow him.

He is social and just loves human companionship. He is friendly too and will quite happily be friends with children and pets in the home.

Make sure he is trained and socialized so that you become one of the many people who have nothing but good things to say about this sweet little dog.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is such a jovial little dog that you just can’t imagine him ever being sick. When he is lethargic, you'll know there is something seriously wrong with him because he is always as bright as a button.

He can however get sick, and there are a few dog illnesses such as epilepsy, eye problems and hip dysplasia that can be very painful ad debilitating for such an energetic dog. You don’t have to be too concerned though, as he is a dog known to have minimal health issues.

With good care, your Toy Mi-ki can reach 14 years of age, maybe older.

You just have to bear in mind, that because of his short muzzle, he is prone to respiratory problems. Too much exercise and you may find him huffing and puffing. Be careful on a hot day.

Also, little dogs like this often have all kinds of dental problems. When you brush him, check his teeth because he can’t tell you if he has a rotten tooth causing him a lot of pain and misery.

Check his eyes too that they are bright and clear and check the inside of his ears. Hypothyroidism and eye issues can also bother the Mi-ki.

Grooming:

This will depend on the coat type. Both coat types will essentially require you brushing him twice a week.

Exercise:

The Pyr Shep’s activity levels are very high and this dog will require living with people who love outdoor activities. He’s the perfect companion for those camping trips or hikes. He is always ready to join you on your walks and will be ready and waiting to jump right in when he sees you with a ball or frisbee.

Diet:

For all that energy, your Pyrenean Shepherd will be needing the best dog food there is. Food full of preservatives and colorants can be bad for your pet, detrimental to his health.

Good food full of vitamins and minerals will ensure your pet stands a good chance of living a long, healthy life. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, ensure its the best there is, with labeling on the packaging that tells you its for his age, his size and energy levels.

Consistency and simplicity is what your Pyrenean Shepherd wants, and home-made food can enhance his dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all chopped up and mixed into the dry kibble once or twice a week will ensure your pet’s eyes are continuously bright and alert and his tail constantly wagging.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will also go towards ensuring his good health. Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Considered to be low-shedding, the Mi-Ki will benefit from a brush once or twice a week.

Some people take their Mi-Ki’s to have their hair professionally cut. This is a good move because then the ears, teeth, and nails are attended to as well.

You can do all of these things at home yourself, but sometimes, particularly with the long-haired Miki, the matting of the hair can make it that you rather send him to professional groomers.

Diet:

Like all dogs, the Mi-Ki dog will need nutritious food if he is to stay healthy. He isn’t a big eater and you will find the perfect food for your small canine pet.

Read on the packaging to make sure you get high-quality dry food for small dogs. You want the ingredients to be as natural as possible without any toxic colorants and additives.

Meat and protein must always be the top ingredients. Try to provide some home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice, spinach, and sweet potatoes can be chopped up finely and a small portion added occasionally to the dry kibble as a tasty treat.