Alaskan Klee Kai - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Three sizes: toy, miniature & standard

Height: Toy: up to 33 cm (13 inches)

Miniature: 33 - 38 cm (13 - 15 inches)

Standard: 38 - 43 cm (15 - 17 inches)

Weight: Toy: under 4.3 kg (10 lb)

Miniature: 7 kg (15 lb)

Standard: 10 kg (23 lb)

Life Span: 12 years

Grooming: Simple

Exercise: Medium

Feeding: Undemanding

Temperament: Alert & curious

Country of Origin: United States (Alaska)

AKC Group: Not registered

Other names: Miniature Alaskan Husky, Klee Kai of Alaska

Temperament:

Alaskan Klee Kais are active, alert, curious, loyal and affectionate. Alaskan Klee Kais are known to be excellent with children and other animals, but are rather cautious towards strangers. The Alaskan Klee Kai is highly trainable for obedience and is very intelligent and eager to please. They do not bark excessively but will alert their owner upon the arrival of visitors. Alaskan Klee Kais make good watchdogs and ideal family companions.

Grooming:

Weekly brushing is sufficient to keep the coat looking healthy and clean. During shedding the under coat will be lost and more frequent grooming is needed during this time. Alaskan Klee Kais are only allowed to be trimmed between the pads and around the feet for a tidy appearance. An advantage with Alaskan Klee Kais is that they don't tend to have a dog odour and only need to be washed occasionally.

Exercise:

Alaskan Klee Kais are very energetic, but are not overly hyper or active like many other toy breeds. They are very strong dogs despite their small size and should have regular exercise. These dogs need to be kept in a fenced off yard and the fence should be dug and secured deeply as Alaskan Klee Kais are keen diggers.

History:

Linda S. Spurliln and her family from Alaska developed the Alaskan Klee Kai. Their aim was to produce a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky and the breeding programme began in the early 70s until 1988, when Alaskan Klee Kais became available to others. These dogs were developed primarily from the Alaskan Husky, although they do retain some Siberian Husky genes. Spurlin and other breeders were careful to avoid health and temperament problems in this new breed even though it meant the numbers of these dogs was very slow to increase. The Alaskan Klee Kai is still a very rare breed and wasn't recognized by the United Kennel Club until 1997.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Striking masked face with symmetrical markings.

Color: All colors are acceptable provided that the facial mask is distinct and there is a contrasting lighter color on the throat, chest, breeches, feet, legs and underside. All the markings should be symmetrical.

Coat: The outer coat is straight (never rough or wiry) and the under coat is soft, dense and of adequate length to support the outer coat. The coat gives a well-furred appearance.

Tail: Well-furred, set just below the level of the topline and is carried in a loose curl over the back when active.

Ears: Pricked, well-furred, mobile, thick and triangular with slightly rounded tips.

Body: The body is longer than it is tall with a level back. The moderately broad chest is let down to the elbows and the forechest should extend in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs. The croup is broad and very slightly sloping and the ribs are well sprung.

Additional Comments:

The Alaskan Klee Kai is one of the newest dog breeds and also one of the rarest. Since 2003 there are approximately 550 in the world.

The breed's name was originally ""Klee Kai of Alaska"" but in 1995, it was changed to ""Alaskan Klee Kai.""

It is not uncommon for Alaskan Klee Kais to have a different color for each eye.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of Dooziedog.com, for more pictures visit http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/alaskan_klee_kai/