Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kais are spitz type northern dogs. They derive their name from the Athabaskan word for small dog. These dogs are essentially the companion version of the Alaskan Husky. They are intelligent, energetic dogs that have no problems fitting into an apartment. Their appearance clearly depicts their northern origins.

These dogs look like small sized Huskies. Their breed standards are based on Siberian Huskies but there are some marked differences. These dogs weigh between 10-40 pounds and have more than one size and color variety.

These dogs are not ideal pets for everyone because they tend to shed a lot, and also often bark without reason. They can also be hyperactive and therefore, difficult to manage. With adequate exercise and proper training, they can calm down and be made to follow commands. This can make them wonderful companions in homes where they are properly handled. These dogs can be aloof towards strangers but they are generally friendly. These dogs make good pets for owners who are ready to assert their dominance over the animal. These dogs can easily live in apartments but access to a small yard is recommended.

Being intelligent, curious and generally good natured, these dogs quickly become inseparable from their owners and families. They, however, have a tendency to chase and kill furry or feathered animals and should not be left unsupervised around other pets like cats, rabbits, hamsters and birds.

These dogs are also good as pets because they are clean by nature and will often spend hours cleaning and grooming themselves. These dogs dislike wet feet and will never walk into the house with muddy paws that leave imprints everywhere. Their coats do not give off odors, nor do they have bad breath problems. These dogs almost never need to be bathed.

They, however, shed their coat twice yearly. The small size of the dog limits the amount of fur to some extent. It is recommended that these dogs be groomed regularly, especially during shedding times. Some of the long haired varieties of this breed can develop matted hair if proper grooming is not provided. Klee Kais will typically make the shedding process easier and faster by rubbing themselves against fences and other objects.

Compared to other breeds, Klee Kais suffer from very few genetic health disorders. However, they are not immune to all diseases and problems. Some common health problems include cataracts, liver problems, cardiac problems and some thyroid disorders.

Klee Kais originated in Wasilla in Alaska in the 1970s, when a small dog of unknown breed was cross bred with a Siberian Husky. Some other contributors to this breed were Alaskan Huskies, American Eskimo Dogs and Schipperkes. This ancestry allowed the Klee Kais to be compact in size, without the risks of dwarfism. These dogs were bred privately in the beginning and were released to the public only in 1988. The American Rare Breeds Association recognized the breed in 1995 and the United Kennel Club in 1997.