Overview
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a young American spitz breed made to give the look of a Husky or Malamute in a much smaller package. It comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes, all of them sturdy, agile dogs.
The name comes from Athabaskan words meaning little dog. These are bright, energetic companions that thrive with active owners who enjoy training and games.
History
The breed was developed in Alaska in the 1970s by Linda Spurlin. She worked with the Alaskan Husky, adding some Siberian Husky, a little more American Eskimo Dog, and some Schipperke to arrive at a small, northern-looking companion.
It is still a young breed, and breed clubs have refined the standard since the 1990s, including the three size varieties.
Appearance
A small, well-proportioned spitz with erect ears, a wedge-shaped head and a curled tail, much like a scaled-down Husky. Despite their size they are thick-boned and can jump well.
Toys stand up to about 33 cm, miniatures 33 to 38 cm and standards about 38 to 43 cm. Coats come in red and white, black and white, or grey and white, often with a facial mask.
Temperament
Curious, agile and quick to learn, the Klee Kai can be aloof with strangers and may be wary of new people. Intelligence sometimes shows up as stubbornness, so training should be varied and rewarding.
They excel at agility and enjoy being part of the family, though they can be vocal and may chase small animals.
Care and exercise
Daily exercise and mental games are important, and a secure fence is wise since these clever dogs can escape. They shed heavily during seasonal coat changes and need regular brushing, but are otherwise fairly clean and low-maintenance.
Early socialisation helps keep their natural reserve from turning into shyness.
Health
Generally considered a healthy breed, though it is young and the full picture is not yet known. Reported concerns include juvenile cataracts, liver disease, factor VII deficiency, heart problems and thyroid trouble.
