Breed Spotlight: The Alaskan Klee Kai!

Alaskan Klee Kais are intelligent, loyal, and energetic dogs!

In our daycare environment, you would most likely see our Alaskan Klee Kai's cuddled up on a bed, watching the action in the room, or being the life of the party!  They often go from being couch potatoes to having a burst of energy and then back to their favorite bed in the sun. But, of course, they love attention from their favorite staff members, too!

These dogs generally weigh between 6 - 25 pounds and have a life expectancy of 13 - 16 years!

History

Alaskan Klee Kais have deep, ancient roots descending from the native dogs in Alaska!

Their descendants had many skills like tracking, hunting, and pulling sleds.  They were often crucial in the survival of tribal groups and nomadic people of Alaska.

The modern Alaskan Klee Kai that we see today was formed in Alaska.  They were bred from Siberian Husky lines by Linda Spurlin in the 1970s.  She used a breeding program by selecting the smaller the Huskies with the look, temperament, and health she desired.

Temperament

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a versatile breed that can adapt to multiple lifestyles. In addition, they are excellent companion dogs, as they tend to have tight bonds with their people.

They can sometimes be cautious about new people or things, but with encouragement through positive reinforcement training, they will be eager to please!  They love to be physically and mentally challenged, making them a great candidate for sports like agility, rally obedience, and scent work.

Care

Alaskan Klee Kais are not considered "high maintenance", but they require regular grooming, exercise, and socialization.

This breed has a double coat, so brushing is a must!  It is recommended that they be brushed once a week to help reduce the amount of dog hair around your home.

While Klee Kais enjoy lounging around the house, they require regular exercise.  They are excellent camping and hiking companions.  For those that do not do many outdoor activities, they would enjoy daily walks or playing fetch in the backyard!

Alaskan Klee Klais are considered a healthy breed and are not prone to many health issues. But, of course, we recommend looking into reputable breeders that screen for things like heart murmurs, patella luxation, and other health conditions.

Meet Sandy!

Sandy is one of our regular training clients here at Wags & Wiggles.  She has an older Klee Kai sister, Katana, too!

She is currently enrolled in our Puppy Raising Program.  This program is designed for the dogs to have training sessions while getting the socialization they need in daycare.  When she first started coming to our facility, she was reserved and mostly hung out with her older sister. However, after beginning her training and building confidence, she has become the life of the party!

Her owner's goals for her training were to help her gain confidence, have positive socialization, learn basic obedience, and be an overall well-rounded puppy.

She is an excellent example of why it is essential to begin positive reinforcement training with your Alaskan Klee Kai as soon as possible.  And to continue to train, explore,  and have fun with them!