What You Should Know Before Adopting an Alaskan Klee Kai

Breed Overview

Characteristic

Description

Size

Comes in three sizes: toy (up to 13 inches or 33 cm), miniature (13-15 inches or 33-38 cm), and standard (15-17 inches or 38-43 cm)

Coat

Double-coated, with a soft undercoat and a longer outer coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, gray, and red

Head

Foxy in shape, with a wedge-shaped head, prick ears, and dark, almond-shaped eyes

Temperament

Intelligent, curious, and playful, but can be reserved with strangers

Exercise needs

Moderate exercise needs, including daily walks and occasional playtime

Training

Highly trainable, but can be stubborn at times, responds well to positive reinforcement training methods

Health concerns

Can be prone to eye problems, such as cataracts, and hip dysplasia, among other health issues

If you plan on getting an Alaskan Klee Kai, it is best to research the breed's history and characteristics! That way, you can determine if the breed is suited for you.

Here, we'll go over 15 considerations before bringing home an Alaskan Klee Kai!

They were bred to be a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky.

To produce a more manageable variant of the Alaskan Husky, the Alaskan Klee Kai was developed in the 1970s by the breeder Linda Spurlin.

They are smaller dogs that share the Alaskan Husky's qualities and attributes but could also be kept as companions. It has combined characteristics of the Siberian and Alaskan Huskies with those of the American Eskimo Dog and the Schipperke. 

Alaskan Klee Kai comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.

The Toy Alaskan Klee Kai measures 13 inches or less and weighs between 5 and 10 pounds. The Miniature Alaskan Klee Kai is generally between 13 to 15 inches tall. The Standard size typically ranges from 15-17 inches.

While all three sizes share a similar personality, level of activity, and grooming demands, there may be subtle changes in how much exercise they require and how well they adjust to new environments. 

They are a high-energy breed and require plenty of exercises and mental stimulation.

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a high-energy dog. They need regular physical and mental activity to thrive. They have a lot of pent-up energy that needs to be channeled, and if you don't give them enough exercise, they may act out due to boredom or restlessness. 

That's why you must provide opportunities for physical and mental stimulation, such as: 

• daily walks
• runs
• training
• puzzle toys
• and interactive games.

Issues that can result from a lack of exercise and mental stimulation include:

• obesity
• destructive behaviors like barking and digging
• and dental and other health concerns.

If you want to adopt an Alaskan Klee Kai, you should be prepared to devote the time and energy required to satisfy the dog's physical and mental requirements.

Alaskan Klee Kai can be aloof or reserved with strangers.

Alaskan Klee Kai is well-known for their loyalty and affection toward their owners, but they can be hesitant or standoffish towards unfamiliar people. As a result, they might not be overly friendly or open with strangers at first.

Although this makes Alaskan Klee Kai excellent watchdogs and loyal friends, it also highlights the importance of early and consistent socialization. So you can help them adapt to new conditions. 

If they aren't introduced to new things and stimuli at a young age, they can develop a fear of new places and people.

Also, while Alaskan Klee Kai may be aloof around unfamiliar people, they should never display hostility or fear. While meeting new people, they may withdraw inside themselves. 

They are known for their intelligence and can be trained to perform various tasks.

The Alaskan Klee Kai canines have a stellar reputation for intelligence and trainability. They can quickly learn new information and enjoy challenging their brains with training and competitive play. 

Obedience, agility, and even search and rescue are just some areas in which they can shine with the proper training and socialization.

It's worth noting that the Alaskan Klee Kai, despite their intelligence, can sometimes be quite willful. Tough love and consistency in teaching may be needed to keep them from becoming domineering or stubborn.

In most cases, this breed responds best to praise and treats used in conjunction with positive reinforcement training methods. Some dogs of this breed may attempt to outwit their owners if given a chance. 

Because of this, you must begin teaching your dog when they are a puppy and keep going even when the dog is an adult. The Alaskan Klee Kai is an intelligent dog that, with the proper upbringing, can be an excellent companion or working dog.

Alaskan Klee Kai has a strong prey drive.

You should keep your Alaskan Klee Kai on a leash or within a securely secured area whenever you are outside. They are hardwired to seek out and kill prey of a smaller size, making them ideal hunters of rodents, rabbits, and birds. 

They will chase after the animals, either endangering themselves or inflicting harm to the other creatures. If you don't want this to happen, ensure your Alaskan Klee Kai is always supervised and kept in an enclosed area at all times.

Also, training can help rein in their natural predatory instinct. They can be taught simple obedience orders and rewarded for good conduct using positive reinforcement.

They have a thick, double coat that requires regular grooming.

Your Alaskan Klee Kai's coat will benefit from weekly brushings to eliminate dead hair and prevent mats from forming.

You may need to brush your Alaskan Klee Kai more often during the shedding seasons (which can happen twice a year). If you want your Alaskan Klee Kai to have a clean, healthy coat, you should give it regular baths too.

To avoid infections, in addition to brushing and bathing your Alaskan Klee Kai frequently, you should also regularly trim its nails and clean its ears. 

Alaskan Klee Kai is generally healthy but may be prone to specific health issues.

Alaskan Klee Kai enjoys a long life expectancy and is typically healthy, but they have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eye problems.

Hip dysplasia is inherited and causes abnormal growth and development in the hip joints. As a result, your dog may develop the following: 

• arthritis
• experience discomfort
• and have trouble moving about.

To stop hip dysplasia from being handed down through the generations, it is recommended that Alaskan Klee Kai be tested for the ailment before being bred or adopted.

Some of the more common forms of eye disease among Alaskan Klee Kai include the following:

• cataracts
• progressive retinal atrophy
• and corneal dystrophy.

Having your dog's eyes checked routinely by your vet to spot any concerns early is vital.

They are not recommended for households with small children or other pets.

This is due to the fact that they are easily hurt and may not enjoy hard play or handling. Because of their small size and fragility, Alaskan Klee Kai may be stressed when exposed to the activity and noise of young children.

In addition, Alaskan Klee Kai has a natural hunting drive and may view other pets, such as cats and rodents, as prospective meals. Alaskan Klee Kai makes terrific pets for anyone who can treat them with gentleness and respect, such as adults and teenagers. 

Alaskan Klee Kai can be very vocal.

To express their emotions, Alaskan Klee Kai may bark or howl. However, excessive barking might be an issue in residential or shared spaces like flats.

Give your Alaskan Klee Kai lots of physical and mental stimulation to reduce barking. Excessive barking might be a symptom of a deeper issue. It may be caused by various factors, including: 

• separation anxiety
• fear of strangers or other dogs
• and even simple boredom.

If you're having difficulties stopping your Alaskan Klee Kai from barking, a dog trainer or behaviorist is your best bet. 

They do well in various living situations.

The Alaskan Klee Kai do well in various environments, including apartments, provided they get plenty of attention and exercise. Because of their high energy levels, Alaskan Klee Kai needs regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. 

Their small stature makes them perfect for apartments, but they still require plenty of activities and toys to keep them from getting into trouble. When Alaskan Klee Kai has more opportunities to engage in engaging activities, they are less likely to resort to destructive chewing and digging.

Alaskan Klee Kai is rare and may be difficult to find from a reputable breeder.

Alaskan Klee Kai isn't always available from every breeder because they're uncommon. 

Respectable dog breeders care deeply about their canine charges' well-being and share this expertise with you as the prospective owners. 

Ideally, they could give you details about the following: 

• the puppy's lineage
• potential genetic health issues
• and health clearances for both parents.

Some unscrupulous breeders may put profit before the dogs' well-being. The lack of socialization and care for these breeders could lead to behavioral and health problems in the offspring.

They may be prone to separation anxiety and may not do well if left alone for long periods.

Alaskan Klee Kai requires extensive time spent playing with their owners. They get along fine with other canines and cats as long as they are socialized from an early age. 

Long durations of isolation are stressful for Alaskan Klee Kai. They often develop strong attachments with their owners. This degree of affection might cause the dog to develop separation anxiety, making them agitated and frightened whenever it is left alone. 

They may exhibit harmful behaviors like excessive chewing or even running away.

Alaskan Klee Kai is a unique and beautiful breed, but they are not the right fit for everyone.

While Alaskan Klee Kai is a gorgeous breed, they are not necessarily the best choice for every family. Thinking about how you'll care for an Alaskan Klee Kai before bringing one into your home is crucial.

High-energy Alaskan Klee Kai needs a lot of physical and mental activity. Hence, they might not be a good fit for busy people or families who can't give them enough exercise and mental stimulation opportunities.

It's also worth noting that, as was said in point 10, Alaskan Klee Kai aren't ideal for families with young children or multiple pets, as they can be fragile and may not respond well to harsh handling or play. The presence of small children or other animals in the home may necessitate the adoption of a different breed of dog.

Lastly, as noted in point 13, Alaskan Klee Kai is uncommon, making it challenging to locate a reliable breeder from whom to acquire one. Although Alaskan Klee Kai makes lovely pets for the appropriate people, you should seriously consider your lifestyle and requirements before committing to adopt one into your house.

Summary

Alaskan Klee Kai makes wonderful companions for the appropriate people, but these dogs aren't always the best choice for households. The decision to welcome an Alaskan Klee Kai into your family should not be made lightly. Considering your options will help you and your Alaskan Klee Kai have long, healthy lives together.