Alaskan Klee Kai Puppies

The Alaskan Klee Kai is known for being very alert and intelligent. They're curious by nature, but they also tend to be shy and cautious around strangers. In order to be friendly with new people, the Klee Kai needs a lot of socialization, often throughout its entire life. However, their suspicion of strangers makes them excellent watchdogs. This breed is very loyal and makes a great family dog, but has a tendency to bark more than the average dog, especially if their needs aren't being met. So, it's not an ideal breed for apartment-dwellers. If raised in the right home, though, the Alaskan Klee Kai makes a great companion for all types of people.

They are a healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen them for conditions like patellar luxation, heart murmur, Factor VII Deficiency, and eye disorders.

Energetic and lively, the Alaskan Klee Kai requires lots of exercise, such as free play in a fenced yard or long walks on a leash. Without enough activity, these dogs can become restless or anxious.

The Alaskan Klee Kai's dense double coat should be brushed 1-2 times per week to keep their coat and skin healthy. Their coat naturally repels dirt so baths are only necessary a few times per year, unless their curiosity causes them to get particularly messy.

They shed moderately year round, and will "blow" their inner coat twice a year. Owning this breed may require you to vacuum your floor and furniture a few times a week, but when they aren't blowing their coat it is very manageable.

Physically, the Alaskan Klee Kai resembles a Siberian Husky, but smaller. These dogs have a thick double coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black and white, gray and white, or red and white. Klee Kais shed moderately throughout the year, but they also have heavy seasonal shedding.

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new breed, and it was originally bred to be a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky. Surprisingly, this breed was personally bred by one woman and her family in the 1970s in Wasilla, Alaska. The family carefully chose and bred dogs like Huskies, American Eskimos, and Schipperkes in order to create the Klee Kai. In 1988, the breed became available to the public under the name "Klee Kai," an Inuit term meaning "small dog." In 1995, it was renamed to the "Alaskan Klee Kai, and was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1997. As a newer breed, however, the Alaskan Klee Kai has yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a purebred dog.