Is it a Husky? Is it an Alaskan Malamute? Is it an American Eskimo Dog? No! It’s an Alaskan Klee Kai! This might be the first time you’re hearing about this purebred dog breed, but it’s been around since the 1970s, giving love, loyalty, and adoration to people from all walks of life. Stick around and […]
Is it a Husky? Is it an Alaskan Malamute? Is it an American Eskimo Dog? No! It’s an Alaskan Klee Kai!
This might be the first time you’re hearing about this purebred dog breed, but it’s been around since the 1970s, giving love, loyalty, and adoration to people from all walks of life. Stick around and learn why the Alaskan Klee Kai is an intelligent dog breed you’re sure to love forever!
Other than stating the obvious… The Alaskan Klee Kai looks like the love-child of an American Eskimo Dog and a Husky, this stunning breed comes in three sizes—standard, miniature, and toy. The standard is still considered “small,” standing at 17 inches paw-to-shoulder. This breed comes in three color combinations, which are black and white, gray and white, and red and white. They have a medium-length, double coat that’s well insulated to ensure warmth in cold weather. This dog breed is recognized as purebred by the American Kennel Club.
Though the Alaskan Klee Kai dog breed came on the scene in the 70s, its ancestral roots go back thousands of years. Traced back to native, wild canines in Alaska that were bred to become Huskies, American Eskimo Dogs, and Alaskan Malamutes, this breed has all the traits and characteristics of these distinct breeds. Comfortably trekking through snow in Siberia or hauling sleds in Alaska is ingrained in the Alaskan Klee Kai’s doggy DNA.
Dog breeder, Linda Spurlin, envisioned the loyal and agile qualities that might result from breeding Alaskan and Siberian Huskies with the American Eskimo Dog. With special attention to achieving a miniature-sized version of these three purebred breeds, Spurlin developed what became the Alaskan Klee Kai in the 1970s. A fun fact, “Klee Kai” means “little dog,” which is precisely what Spurlin ended up with once she had perfected this new breed of dog.
Alaskan Klee Kais bond quickly and deeply with their owners. They tend to be aloof and cautious towards new people and strangers, and probably won’t bond with anyone quite as significantly as they do with their owners. This dog breed is said to be loyal, intelligent, and vigilant, and has a pedigree that includes a hearty work ethic. Its canine parentage has passed along the willingness to endure frigid temperatures while hunting, hiking, pulling sleds, and otherwise assisting its indigenous, nomadic owners. If you’re looking for a durable dog to accompany you on outdoor adventures and be your companion, then this purebred will fit the bill.
Alaskan Klee Kai puppies have a sensitive, reserved, and cautious nature, though they are intelligent and fast learners. This means that during the training and socialization process, being gentle, encouraging, and rewarding towards your puppy will yield the best results. These dogs are energetic and love learning new things, but watch out that your training strategy doesn’t become boring.
Alaskan Klee Kais need a fair amount of mental and physical stimulation during training, and owners have the most success when a broad array of activities are integrated into puppy training. Activities could include multiple performance sports such as Agility, Racing, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work, Weight Pull, Dock Diving, and Carting.
This beautiful breed has a double coat of fur, which we mentioned earlier in this article. This not only helps the breed to feel warm in cold weather, but it also helps protect the dog’s skin from the sun and keeps them cool in the warm months. Unlike most dog breeds that have an odor, the Alaskan Klee Kai doesn’t “smell like a dog.” It produces natural skin oils that help repel water (from snow) and prevent dirt from getting embedded in the fur.
The “system” of an Alaskan Klee Kais fur is so advanced, in fact, that breeders advise not to trim its fur whatsoever, other than trimming the paw fur. If bathing this breed is necessary at all, it shouldn’t occur more than twice a year. For having a medium-length double coat of fur, the Alaskan Klee Kai is one of the lowest maintenance dog breeds out there.
This loveable dog breed has medium-high energy and enjoys activities that require endurance. This means that if you’re planning on going camping, hiking, climbing, swimming, boating, kayaking, and even paddle boarding, your Alaskan Klee Kai will love to come along. Hours-long excursions are easy and enjoyable for this dog breed who hails from a long line of Alaskan and Siberian working dogs.
But what if you’re not an outdoor adventure type? What if you live in a city, or don’t have daily access to the great natural outdoors? That’s okay! Alaskan Klee Kais can be happy apartment dwellers! The trick is to take them outside for their daily brisk walk, keeping them engaged for about an hour. If you have a dog park where your Klee Kai can run off leash, that’s even better. As long as you provide your dog with an hour of exercise, he will be happy. And of course, the occasional weekend trip to the country will always be appreciated by your Alaskan Klee Kai!
Are you ready to bring an Alaskan Klee Kai home? Come in to Petland Texas and meet our Klee Kais and spend time petting and getting to know our available puppies.
