Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Klee Kai is a breed originally developed to be a companion dog. It looks like a miniature Siberian Husky but its origins come from an accidental mating of an Alaskan Husky and an unknow small dog.Alaskan Klee Kai can live up to 13-15 years and can be used as guard dogs for the home and family. Alaskan Klee Kai do not bark excessively but are suspicious of strangers. This trait, along with their diminutive size makes them ideal as apartment dogs. Alaskan Klee Kai puppies do need socialization early on to prevent them from being shy dogs.
Alaskan Klee Kai weigh from 4.5 to 9 kg, with a height of 33-43 cm, and the colors are varied, ranging from a mix of black and white, gray-white, red and white, or pure white.
Grooming
Their coats should be brushed and groomed regularly. This breed is an average shedder, but only sheds twice a year, unlike other breeds which shed the whole year. Remarkably, the Alaskan Klee Kai is very clean and have that Northern dog breed characteristic of not having the typical dog smell or breath.
Origin
Named after the Eskimo words for ‘little dog,’ Alaskan Klee Kai are a blend of Alaskan and the Siberian Husky and small amounts of American Eskimo and Schipperke. They have been developed in the 1970s and was only released into the public around 1987, making the Klee Kai still a rare breed.
Health Issues
Alaskan Klee Kai are relatively free from genetic defects. However, because of their small gene pool there are some health conditions associated with the breed including:
- Juvenile Cataracts
- Liver Disease
- Extreme Shyness
- Factor VII Deficiency
- Pyometra
- Luxating Patella
- Cryptorchids
- Cardiac Issues including PDA
- Thyroid disease-including autoimmune thyroiditis
Alaskan Klee Kai Photo
