Alaskan Klee

Alaskan Klee: Introduction to the Breed

Unlike Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Klee Kai’s are companion dogs rather than working animals that pull sleds. Alaskan Klee Kai’s look similar to Huskies, but they have a different temperament, including wariness toward strangers. Even though they dislike unfamiliar faces, they can be very loving family dogs, and their constant vigilance makes them good watchdogs. Alaskan Klee Kai’s love attention from their humans and are eager to please, making them highly trainable. Despite being a relatively new breed, they are recognized by several other kennel clubs and have many breed standards.

Some breeders are working to change fewer desirable traits, such as skittishness, within the breed. There are not many breeders of Alaskan Klee Kai’s, so they remain a relatively rare breed. A Klee Kai is a small dog breed that is derived from an Inuit term that means "small dog", which is a perfect description for the breed, which is a smaller version of the Husky breed it arose from. The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small companion dog with a smooth, agile, and well-balanced gait, a level topline, and a length slightly longer than height.

Adopting a new pet is one of the biggest decisions you can make as a family. It is essential that you spend the time and energy investigating the variety of puppies available and determining which will be most beneficial to your family and lifestyle. Consider carefully what you want in a dog that you don't want in a dog, and what you would prefer the dog didn't have.

Here are a few things to know about Alaskan Klee’s.

Alaskan Klee is generally:

If you are looking for a devoted, loving friend who will treat you with dignity and respect, Alaskan Klee is the breed for you. In their lives, they need someone who understands their unique needs and can accommodate their unique personalities. It will return your care with all the love and affection it can muster, despite its small size.

Alaskan Klee Kai dogs are intelligent and highly active. In contrast to other husky breeds, they are highly trainable and can make good watchdogs. They are also suspicious of strangers, unlike their cousins. Most of the time, they are at their owner's side, requiring their attention. The dogs "talk back" and howl, but they generally don't bark excessively. There are times when a Klee Kai will be shy around people. Dogs with this temperament may be neutered because they are considered undesirable. Exercise is moderately necessary for Klee Kai. Due to their intelligence, they can become escape artists. Klee kai is capable of escaping through fences. They can play tricks on their owners and have a great sense of humor. Dog agility is one of their specialties.

What are the Origins of Alaskan Klee?

Alaskan Klee Kai descends from a long line of native dogs that have populated Alaska for thousands of years. In the harsh environment of Alaska, these dogs were crucial for survival for tribal groups and nomadic people as well as loving family pets. As well as pulling sleds, hiking, hunting, and tracking, they were early warning alerts for dangers such as wild animals or enemies.

Alaskan Interior Village dogs are one of the largest groups of native dogs that make up what became known as Alaskan Husky dogs. During the dog sled racing boom of the early 1900s, Husky lines from Siberia were imported to Alaska and added to this hearty dog population. As a result, they bred a dog that was intelligent, vigorous, hardworking, and happy.

In the early 1970s, Linda Spurlin and her family developed the Alaskan Klee Kai breed from these well-bred husky dogs. In developing a companion-sized Alaska Husky with a distinctive symmetrical facial mask and markings, she carefully selected somewhat smaller dogs with the type/look she imagined that also met her high standards for health, structure, and temperament through a strict breeding program. A companion dog for all ages, the Alaskan Klee Kai is adaptable to a variety of lifestyles, including traveling, hiking, sports, entertainment, therapy, and service.

The Alaskan Klee Kai has not yet been recognized as a purebred dog by some kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club, but it has been recognized by the American Rare Breed Association since 1995 and the United Kennel Club since 1997.

What are the Risks for the Alaskan Klee Dog Breed?

Alaskan Klee Kais are quite a healthy breed. Nonetheless, owners should be aware that the breed is predisposed to certain conditions, such as luxating patellas, thyroid disease, heart conditions, liver shunts, factor VII deficiency, and cataracts. Keeping baby teeth can also cause problems when adult teeth grow in. These teeth may need to be removed.

Other Alaskan Klee health problems include:

Exercise is very important when it comes to Alaskan Klee Kai care, as they can become high-strung and anxious if they don't have an outlet to burn off energy. All dog breeds require regular teeth brushing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. Ask your veterinarian about your dog's specific needs.

Klee kai’s require a lot of interaction with their owners. Other dogs are well tolerated by them. Their owners should raise them with cats if they plan to get one. As their husky prey drive is strong, owners should be cautious around pet rodents, birds, and reptiles. No pocket pet will be safe from them due to their cleverness. Although Klee Kai makes excellent watchdogs, their size prevents them from being guard dogs. For more information on cost, check out our blog on Alaskan Klee Kai price.

Conclusion

Families and strangers are welcome if introduced by their owners. Although they are hardy dogs with winter coats, they should not be left outdoors in the winter. Once a week, they should be brushed and combed. They are fastidious and keep themselves clean like cats. The Klee Kai is a great choice for owners who want a small, active dog without a large yard, and who can be content with walks and games of fetch. For long periods of time, Klee Kai may not do well left alone. If you cannot tolerate dog hair and shedding, you should consider another breed. There are reports of Klee Kai living for 15 to 20 years.

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