Alaskan Klee Kais are playful dogs who love any type of social stimulation. They are very intelligent, making them especially fun to play with and challenge. Your Klee Kai will enjoy any type of play that focuses on agility, endurance, or a good mental challenge—particularly if it appeals to their need to dominate and succeed.
These dogs can be social with young children, especially when socialized correctly. They can adapt well to environments with cats or other animals. While they are considered to be quite sociable, they may be a bit shy around different people. Many attribute this to their reputation as intelligent dogs, considering the possibilities of the situation around them before letting that sweet personality show.
The Alaskan Klee Kai breed generally stays around the same size, averaging about 20 pounds and 16 inches. They’ll do well in a moderately sized home with room to romp and play.
he biggest difference between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Husky is size. Klee Kais only grow to be about 25 pounds at most, while Huskies can be as much as 60 pounds.
The Alaskan Klee Kai’s double-coat and loosely curled tail reflect its arctic heritage. The facial mask is a distinctive characteristic, and the breed always has a dual-colored coat that comes in shades of black, gray, or red. The AKC breed standard requires white on all three coat colors. We teamed up with FidoTabby Alert, and according to their database, the most common two colors for the Alaskan Klee Kai are (60%) gray and white, with a close second of (30%) black and white.
👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Alaskan Klee Kais Blue; Rocky is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our female Alaskan Klee Kai owners love Luna, then Nala.
The Alaskan klee kai breed members are known to be relatively healthy dogs. However, they may be predisposed to a few genetic health conditions. Knowing what these are ahead of time can help you to invest in preventative care, or plan ahead in case future medical needs arise. We’ve summarized common klee kai health issues below:
Alaskan Klee Kais are relatively healthy and shouldn’t require excessive medical intervention. However, it’s always good to be prepared. Pet health insurance can be a great way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a sudden medical event. You may also get bonuses for signing your dog up early on. If you’re looking for a more flexible solution, you may consider investing in a pet savings account that you reserve exclusively for medical needs.
Beyond their costs of medical care, Alaskan Klee Kai dogs are known to be slightly more expensive than the average breed. You may pay anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000 when you purchase your pet, along with $1,000 to $1,500 to get them started in their first year of life. This estimated additional cost covers necessities, such as first vet visits, vaccinations, toys, food, and bedding.
After the first year, you can expect to pay about $1,500 to $2,000 for your Klee Kai’s food and vet visits on an annual basis.
In the 1970s Linda Spurlin, traveler, and dog-lover, encountered a mid-sized Husky on her trip to Oklahoma, where she was visiting family. She brought the pup back home and began to create a smaller, companion breed that mimicked the appearance of a Husky, but offered a potentially brighter health outlook.
The name Klee Kai originates from the Athabaskan language and directly translates to “little dog.” The name is quite fitting, especially due to this breed’s compact size.
We do want to note: Though Klee Kai breed members are commonly thought to be a miniature type of Alaskan Huskies, this isn’t true — although their colors do match. The unique coat and fur color may be influenced by the Alaskan Huskies and Siberian Huskies that are believed to be in their lineage, as well as the high energy and sweetness that Alaskan Klee Kai is known for today.
Caring for a new puppy of any breed can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a helpful “quick start” guide to get your furry friend the best start possible in their new home. First, we recommend making your first trip to the vet for your pup’s vaccinations. This can guard them against certain conditions they might run into as they make their entrance into the world.
We also recommend puppy-proofing your home ahead of your pet’s arrival to prepare for any teething or gnawing. (We promise, your furniture will thank you!)
Lastly, we recommend that you sign up for FidoAlert. This helpful service provides a free Fido ID and tag so you’re prepared in case your dog gets a little too adventurous and manages to get off the leash.
Now that you’ve covered the essentials, here are some other basics specific to the Alaskan Klee Kai breed type.
Alaskan Klee Kais enjoy moderate amounts of exercise, approximately 30 minutes per day. You’ll want to consider activities that appeal to their high level of intellect as well as their need to run and romp — such as mazes, challenge courses, and games like fetch. You can do this at your local dog park, your living room, or your complex’s green belt. There’s no wrong way to get your dog out in the great outdoors!
Additionally, Klee Kais are fairly hearty and enjoy casual activities. Walking, hiking and light jogging can all be fun ways to keep your dog active.
Like their origin breeds, these Alaskan dogs don’t mind a bit of chill. However, we do recommend considering the intensity of your activity if you live in a place that reaches hot temperatures. Since the Klee Kai has a luxurious double coat, they may overheat if you overwork them in excessive temperatures. Always take cues from your pup and respect their boundaries around playtime. You might also choose to structure playtime strategically in the cooler hours during the warm summer months.
This breed is known for having a coarse, dense, double coat. With this type of fur, ongoing maintenance is key. A simple grooming routine will keep their fur healthy. Plan for weekly brushing and combing sessions to naturally disperse the fur’s oil down the shaft and keep overgrowth at bay. This also reduces excessive shedding and keeping your pup as comfortable as possible.
When it comes to bathing, avoid bathing too frequently as this can sap moisture from your dog’s skin, leading to itching and flaking. Generally speaking, the Alaskan Klee Kai has more sensitive skin than some other breeds. Typically a bath every three months is fine for keeping your pup clean and helping their coat retain as much moisture as possible. This, of course, can be more frequent with muddy or messy adventures.
Your pup’s thick fur also extends up to the ear region. Ear cleaning should be a regular occurrence, happening at least once per month according to the American Kennel Club. This can prevent wax buildup, knotting, and irritation which can lead to infections.
Alaskan Klee Kais do best on high-quality dog food that has all of the necessary protein, carb, and healthy fat content to help them grow and thrive. On average, Klee Kai puppies do well with about ¾ of a cup of food per day, spread out across three meals throughout the day (such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner). As they mature, this may be reduced to two larger meals per day, keeping blood sugar levels stable and your pup satiated.
We do want to note that your dog may eat less or more in a range of situations, such as if they are sick, elderly, or in the throes of puppyhood. That’s why the team at betterpet always recommends connecting with your vet for tailored recommendations around diet and consumption rates. They can offer you the best possible advice that aligns with your pup’s specific needs.
Because they are incredibly intelligent and eager to please, they are quite trainable in the hands of a skilled trainable. But, as with any dog, understanding how your pup prefers to learn is the key to successful training sessions.
With this in mind, you’ll want to create a strategy that appeals to your dog’s drive for challenge and achievement. This can look different for every pet. Starting points to consider may include techniques like:
Not quite sure that an Alaskan Klee Kai is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:
Yes, your Klee Kai can live in hotter climates. They just need to have the right tools to do so. Consider investing in an outside water source (like a pool or sprinkler), and be sure to have reliable air conditioning to keep your dog cool during the hotter parts of the day.
Alaskan Klee Kai dogs often do best with a high-quality dog food blend that is made of lean proteins, healthy fats, and a moderate amount of carbohydrates. We always recommend connecting with a vet to ensure your food blend of choice has everything needed to help your Klee Kai grow healthily.
Yes! Alaskan Klee Kai dogs are extremely affectionate and love to cuddle up with their pet parents.
Your Klee Kai can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years of age with the proper care.
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. The Alaskan Klee Kai is not considered to be a hypoallergenic breed due to its dense double coat and excessive seasonal shed schedule.
