Your Guide to the Alaskan Klee Kai

The Alaskan Klee Kai (AKK) is still a relatively new and thus, rare breed of dog. For those who are thinking of adding an Alaskan Klee Kai to the family and for those who are simply curious, this website contains information and resources on the breed.

The Alaskan Klee Kai to your right is our dog named Kobi. Kobi is a 7 year old Alaskan Klee Kai with a big personality, you will be seeing photos of him throughout the site.

Please note that all the information supplied on this website comes from our personal experiences with Kobi and from thorough research and endless discussions with Alaskan Klee Kai breeders. Meet Kobi the Alaskan Klee Kai. 

About the Alaskan Klee Kai Breed

Most people compare the Alaskan Klee Kai to the popular Siberian Husky due to their similar fur markings. While they are both Spitz breed dogs, the AKK is significantly smaller in size. They are also behaviorally almost utmost opposites to their large husky counterparts; they tend to be shy, skittish and wary around strangers.

History of the Klee Kai

As a relatively new breed of pup, the Alaskan Klee Kai has a rich history of breeding. They are extremely energetic and intelligent, and their northern heritage is evident in their appearance. In contrast to Siberian Huskies, which were originally bred as sled dogs, the AKK were bred as companion dogs. Read more about the Alaskan Klee Kai History.

Temperament and Personality of an Alaskan Klee Kai

This is a highly intelligent, curious, and active breed. As mentioned previously,  these dogs can be cautious and wary around unfamiliar people.

Due to their reservation among strangers, it is strongly recommended for Alaskan Klee Kai owners to socialize their pups, not just during puppy hood but throughout the pup’s life. They are incredibly loving to those who they consider to be their family, and their “people.”

Alaskan Klee Kai love and crave attention from their humans. They want to be involved with their family and will not hesitant to let you know when things aren’t going the way they want them to.

Due to their heightened intelligence, Klee Kai excel in obedience classes and are highly motivated to please their owners. They tend to pick up standard commands such as sit, heel, off, stay, down, and leave quicker than most. Food holds incredible power in the art of training your Klee Kai as most are highly food driven.

Health of a Klee Kai

Health wise, the Alaskan Klee Kai is considered to be fairly free of genetic defects.  However, this may simply be due to the fact that it is still a relatively new breed of dog; genetic conditions may take many years to surface and be noticed.

That being said, most ethical breeders screen their AKK for factor VII deficiency (involves the clotting of blood), luxating patella (dislocation of kneecap, common in small breeds), thyroid disease, and ophthalmology and cardiac conditions.

Cryptorchidism, aka undescended testicles (failure of testicles to move into scrotum) is also very common in male Alaskan Klee Kai pups, however it is generally harmless; it is only an issue if the pup was to be sold as a breeding male.

Most Alaskan klee Kai will be sold on a pet quality contract; meaning that they must be neutered/spayed to ensure that they are not to be bred. Cryptorchidism does not interfere with the neutering of a pup.

It is also very common for Alaskan Klee Kai puppies to retain baby teeth; this can cause problems for the pup as the adult teeth begins to emerge from the gum line.  If a pup has retained puppy teeth, they are usually removed at the same time as their neutering/spaying by a veterinarian (under anesthesia).  

For young puppies, a vaccination schedule should be followed to ensure full protection against various canine diseases, especially against the potentially lethal Parvovirus. Deworming should also be done regularly in puppies (usually at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age) for the prevention of parasites.

The Klee Kai requires daily physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. An under-exercised/stimulated dog is a destructive, unhappy dog. Kobi loves his walks and trips to the dog park but can also be a huge coach potato.

Do Klee Kai Shed?

The Alaskan Klee Kai does shed. They have two layers of fur, the outercoat and the inner coat, they lose the latter when they blow their coats about twice a year- this is when the most shedding occurs. During coat blowing season, frequent brushing is recommended to get rid of the loose fur.

If you think you are ready to go to the next step in bringing an Alaskan Klee Kai into your home, it is highly recommended for you to read more about the costs of raising an Alaskan Klee Kai. Read here to see how much an Alaskan Klee Kai cost.

For more information on the Alaskan Klee Kai breed standards, click here.

Purchasing an Alaskan Klee Kai

Not all dog breeders are created equal and unfortunately, there are many scammers and disreputable breeders who take advantage of inexperienced dog owners. Finding a good, reputable Alaskan Klee Kai breeder is imperative. There are many individuals out there who breed and sell Alaskan Klee Kai mixes as pure bred Alaskan Klee Kai.

Please do adequate research on your breeder before committing to a puppy. If possible, reach out to previous adopters and buyers and ask to hear about their experiences regarding the breeder. You can also message some of the popular Klee Kai owners on Instagram to ask about their experiences. 

There are two organizations that support ethical breeding and adoption: The Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America and The Alaskan Klee Kai National Rescue. Both of these websites offer valuable information regarding the Alaskan Klee Kai. Please avoid scouring internet ads listings that offer Alaskan Klee Kai for sale.