Who are Alaskan Klee Kais: description, photo, price. How is it different from a husky?

Description of the Alaskan Klee Kai breed

Popularity 189th place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

13-14 years old

Breed group:

Withdrawn

Height:

standard: 38-42 cm, mini: 33-38 cm, toy: 28-33 cm

Country of origin:

USA

Average price:

5000 dollars (about 350 thousand rubles)

Weight:

standard: 10 kg, mini: 7 kg, toy: 4.5 kg
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Breed characteristics

Key facts

The breed is a small husky, or northern spitz-like dog, intended for keeping in city apartments or small houses. These are very cute, charming, friendly, incredibly smart furry companions who love an active lifestyle, live communication, fun and active games, and long walks in the fresh air.

These are unique pets with a special charm. The main characteristic of the Alaskan Klee Kai breed is its almost exact resemblance to large Siberian Huskies with tiny body parameters. In appearance they resemble small, cute wolf cubs.

These natives from Alaska are easy-going and get along well with other four-legged friends. Despite their small size, they grow into good watchmen, capable of, if not biting the enemy, then at least warning the owner in time about possible danger.

They have an incredible talent for imitating human speech. Possessing excellent vocal skills, they can sing. The description of the Alaskan Klee Kai breed says that many dogs behave like cats: they wash themselves imposingly, slowly lick their paws, and rub against people’s legs.

Despite the fact that the breed was recently bred artificially, the life expectancy of the Alaskan Klee Kai is very long. A small husky can live 15 years.

Man and dog

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a companion dog. It is not designed for hunting and intense sports walks.

Klee Kai is suitable :

• for a family with children: active and mobile, they become partners in games and walks, and can take on the functions of a security guard, as they are distrustful of strangers;
• for older people, such dogs are simply ideal: you will inevitably have to take them for walks regularly; click-kai will make up for the lack of communication;
• homebodies.

The breed is not suitable for very busy people who are rarely at home, as dogs love the attention of their owner, and if it is lacking, they can become uncontrollable.

History of the origin of the Alaskan Klee Kai

When compared with other “northerners”, the breed is considered quite young. The origin story is as follows: in the 1970s, one young girl from Alaska, whose name was Linda Sparlink, went with her husband to visit her family in Oklahoma. While visiting, she saw a wonderful pet named Curis (translated from English as “curious,” “strange,” “inquisitive”).

He was exactly like a large husky, but much smaller in size, with very docile and exemplary behavior. The girl was so touched and admired by the miniature furry inhabitant of the house that she subsequently decided to take him in and then start breeding similar small dogs.

Those around were surprised, delighted, simply perplexed when they met such a strange, sweet creature. At that time, a large number of American residents wanted to make four-legged friends, but in narrow apartments this gave rise to difficulties. The appearance of decorative, tame quadrupeds caused a real stir.

Linda developed a large and detailed plan for breeding a new type of dog through mating and crossbreeding. The main roots belonged to huskies, Alaskan malamutes, huskies, and Eskimo dogs. After about 20 years of breeding as a professional, the enterprising northern woman developed the desired breed. Journalist Eileen Gregory was the first to see and photograph her.

In the 1985s, Sparlink gave a puppy to her close friends for a holiday. It was a real explosion for those years. The woman received an endless number of messages and requests for such a “gift” by phone and in letters. After some time, her house turned into a local landmark in Alaska.

Everyone who bought a new puppy agreed to send various information, photographs, any information about development, growth, and behavior changes. After some time, dog experts conducted a detailed description of the characteristics and appearance, and then in America they created the official Klee Kai Club.

Eileen Gregory greatly influenced the recognition of the created species by the English dog breeding community, becoming the owner of two beautiful dogs. In 1994, the first presentation of Klee Kais took place at the International Exhibition in Danver.

Dogs were included in the official registry of Alaska in 1995 of the 20th century. In 1997, they became full representatives of the United Canine Union and received universal recognition.

For a long time, Linda Sparlink continued to strictly cull dogs according to strict criteria. But the pressure from dog breeders was too strong, so she had to soften her own demands and leave the Club.

Story

The idea of ​​having “apartment” huskies came to American breeder Linda Spurlin in the early 1970s. For almost 20 years, she bred and crossed representatives of such breeds as Alaskan and Siberian huskies, huskies, and American Eskimo dogs. As a result, a cross between “snow” dogs appeared, differing from them in size and “domestic” temperament.

The “kids” were exhibited to judges and guests at a dog show in 1989. The Klee Kai was officially recognized as an independent breed in 1997. Two years earlier, he was “recognized” by the American Rare Breeds Association.

Appearance of an Alaskan Klee Kai

Klee-kai are divided into three categories: standard, mini and toy. Representatives of different groups have different body sizes. They are all proportional, so it is difficult to determine which group it belongs to just from a photo of an Alaskan Klee Kai.

General impression

In addition to their overall mass, Alaskan quadrupeds differ from large huskies in the funny shape of their crocheted tail. They seem to have a black mask painted on their face, emphasizing their mirrored eyes and elongated nose.

Head

The skull has an elongated, triangular shape. There are practically no skin folds on the head. The back of the head is in the form of a small tubercle, the frontal lobe is generally rounded with a small depression in the middle. The lower jaw is very strong, a strong and sharp grip is developed.

Neck

The neck is medium in length, level, and set high. Thanks to this head position, pets look very stately and graceful. When walking or running, they slightly stretch their necks forward, as if cutting through the space in front of them with a sharp nose.

Torso

The shape of the body is rectangular, oblong. There is a slight curve in the lumbar region. They have a very strong and robust back, as well as a powerful thoracic spine. This was passed on to dogs from large Siberian descendants. The rounded chest is pushed forward. The pelvis is significantly narrower than shoulder width. The tummy is expressively tucked.

Forelegs

The musculoskeletal system is powerful, with flexible joints and strong muscles. Compared to the length of the body, the paws are quite short. Limbs are straight and slender. The elbows are positioned directly relative to the body. The pasterns are round in shape with soft pads hidden behind a thick mop of hair.

Hind limbs

Despite the narrow pelvis, the thighs are very strong, with clearly visible muscles. The hind legs are slightly shorter than the front legs. In the standard position they have a smooth oval curve.

Tail

The tail has an unusual, even wonderful shape. It looks like a small fluffy bagel, with one corner turned toward the back. It is tilted 90 degrees relative to the spine, but can tilt slightly to one side. According to standards, the tail should be dark or black.

Movements

The nature of the movements is smooth. Quadrupeds walk confidently, run very quickly, and move deftly while playing or hunting. Without much effort, these little beauties quickly climb heights twice their own height.

Wool

Medium length fur. The undercoat is thick. Heavy and straight hair has a dense structure. Due to the massive fur, a kind of “apron” is formed on the neck, as if supporting the head and chin in a constantly raised position. Most of the soft fur is on the belly, chest, ears, and paw pads.

Color

Different colors of the Alaskan Klee Kai are acceptable: gray, red, black. The main characteristic, standard feature is a black mask on the face. Because of this detail, the dogs have thick eyebrows that match the main color. The forehead and tail are usually slightly darker than the rest of the body.

Dimensions

The size of the Alaskan Klee Kai varies greatly and is therefore divided into three groups. Standard type parameters: height – about 35-43 cm, body weight – 6-9 kg. The mini species is usually 30-35 cm tall and weighs from 4 to 6 kg. In the toy species, the height of the Alaskan Klee Kai will be approximately 25-30 cm, and the weight will be 3-4 kg.

If the weight of an Alaskan Klee Kai exceeds 10 kilograms, most likely it is just a husky mix and not a purebred Alaskan.

Photos of color options

of colors are currently acceptable :

• Black and white.
• Grey-white.
• Red and white.

At the same time, black-and-white and gray-white dogs should have black pigmentation of the nose, as well as the edging of the eyelids and lips. For red and white mini huskies, the pigmentation of a dark brick or brownish-liver shade is desirable.

White markings are located in places strictly defined by the standard - on the head and muzzle, as well as on the neck, chest, limbs and stomach. In this case, it is desirable to have a narrow groove on the head, a closed mask and white eyebrows.

Not long ago, AKC was recognized as the standard for mini huskies and pure white color. However, individuals with this coat color are not yet allowed for breeding, even in their homeland.

Character of the Alaskan Klee Kai

These creatures are one of the cutest and kindest animals. They, of course, can growl or bark, but this happens only in the most rare and extreme cases. Amazing pets combine all sorts of positive qualities and characteristics that can only belong to dogs. Many people call the character of the Alaskan Klee Kai simply wonderful.

Excellent students in training - that's about them. The main thing in this painstaking, important task is patience and a great desire to teach and raise your own furry friend. With these dogs, even inveterate adherents of home gatherings will love movement and an active lifestyle. Fluffies are always full of energy, the desire to move, play, and charge everyone around with positivity.

They cannot stand long separations or loneliness. Without attention, mini-wolf cubs gnaw everything that gets in their way: shoes, things, toys, furniture.

Their barking can be called a kind of song. The vocal cords of pets have a special structure, which is why a certain howling onomatopoeia of human speech emerges.

Dogs build excellent relationships with other pets. They immensely love to jump and frolic with children, posing as true hunters. However, if the dog is offended by pulling the ears, tail or roughly pushing, he may bare his teeth, growl or even claw; he will not allow himself to be offended. Therefore, it is important for adults and children to understand that this is not a toy, but a living creature.

Alaskan mini-huskies behave suspiciously towards strangers, but over time they get used to it. Despite their small size, if danger arises, they instantly make noise, warning of a possible threat.

One of their favorite pastimes is digging small holes and wide holes under fences, stairs, trees or houses. Sometimes they dig burrows for various wild rodents, which can be carriers of various infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to monitor your four-legged dog, even if all vaccinations are up to date.

Pocket size wolf

Small, charming and friendly dogs, similar to Siberian Huskies, are always the center of attention. They are sociable, talkative, curious, and enjoy participating in children's games. The disadvantages of the breed include the high price, difficulty in training and selecting a partner for mating. For those who are not afraid of this and who have time for a pet, the Klee Kai will become a good friend and a reliable “live alarm.”

Alaskan Mini Huskies are curious, active and cheerful creatures with high sociability. They require little care and are excellent companions and guards. Small defenders will not attack the enemy, but they will loudly inform the owner about any problem. They absolutely cannot stand loneliness and are capable of greatly “tweaking” the interior if left in an empty apartment. They require attention, long walks and respect. You can feed your babies both natural and ready-made food, but these two types of feeding cannot be mixed.

Education and training

From birth, dogs need communication and large doses of attention. They are not shy, therefore, if necessary, they skillfully defend themselves, for example, they can growl, bark loudly, and in extreme cases, bare their teeth or scratch.

The process of training and raising an Alaskan Klee Kai is best done in the form of a game. This is how new commands, lessons, and prohibitions are learned. It is important to praise your pet in a timely manner. But mischief and disobedience must be stopped with a threatening tone or appropriate punishment, since the little pupil must see authority in the owner and unconditionally obey him.

Intelligence and intelligence both facilitate and complicate the learning process. Klee Kai pick up new commands with incredible speed, but are not always willing to follow them. This shows the stubbornness inherited from our great Siberian ancestors.

Constant development, training in new commands – this is what is vital for representatives of this breed. It is important to follow a certain training plan, without loading the “student” with a mountain of new lessons at a time, but also without taking long breaks between the learned material. Order is important here. It is not recommended to show aggression, because animals remember a bad or dismissive attitude for a long time.

It is better to dilute clear lesson plans with games and competitions. This could be Frisbee, steeplechase, chasing a bicycle, repeating learned commands to fun, dynamic music.

From birth, your four-legged dog should be accustomed to wearing a collar and leash. There are frequent cases of little pranksters escaping. Of course, a mini-husky should know its name from puppyhood and always quickly respond to it.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Charm, good nature, well-developed intelligence are only part of the advantages of the breed. Mini-huskies are not confrontational by nature. He will get along with the whole family, including other animals in the house. Dogs, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and the rest of the “zoo”, with proper upbringing of the puppy, become part of the pack and do not cause aggressive intentions. Conflict can only happen with cats that are as independent as a small dog. But natural curiosity will sooner or later take over, and the cat and dog will become friends, contrary to the saying.

Klee Kai loves active and fun games and will happily frolic with children, but only on his own terms. The dog does not like noisy babies: they disrupt the established order and create too much noise. This makes our perfectionist nervous. Relationships with older children are more successful, but the mini-dog will not tolerate excessive pranks and disrespectful attitude toward himself.

The miniature husky breed is independent. On the one hand, this is not bad: an adult pet will not run its tail after its owner, demanding affection and attention. He is able to find something to do for himself. On the other hand, the independent nature of the baby affects training and education. The owner will have to take into account the wishes of the micro-husky. The best results are achieved by respectful treatment of the dog, requests, not orders. The Klee Kai strictly follows the established rules, but demands the same from the owner.

No matter how smart and obedient a small pet is, this nut is too tough for a novice dog breeder. Mini-huskies need training with a dog handler. An experienced owner can handle it on his own if he shows respect for the baby and is patient. A dog is not suitable for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Out of boredom, your pet will begin to look for adventures within the apartment. And he will definitely find it.

Health and Diseases of the Alaskan Klee Kai

Klee Kais have impeccable health and have a strong immune system. All this appeared thanks to strict selective selection. In some cases, problems with blood clotting may occur, but the likelihood is very small. There is a small percentage of developmental disorders of the hip joints, and there is a risk of eye diseases. No genetic diseases have been found in the breed.

However, a systematic examination by a veterinarian once every six months or a year is required. These furry friends are real long-livers. With proper care, proper diet, and timely treatment, they move actively and, to the joy of their owners, live up to twenty years.

Suitable for living in an apartment or outdoors?

Klee Kais are equally suitable for keeping in an apartment or in rural areas. They have quite thick and warm wool, and therefore they can easily tolerate not too severe frosts and live outside almost all year round.

In the apartment, the mini husky behaves quite decently: when left alone, it does not howl and does not spoil things.

When keeping a pet of this breed in an apartment, you will have to regularly go for walks.

Features of feeding and diet

Pets are very active, so their diet should be sufficiently high in calories, but not exceeding the norm. The diet is best made up of foods containing a lot of protein and microelements - in particular calcium. The following will be especially useful:

· cereals; · vegetables; · low-fat poultry meats; · sea fish; · beef, rabbit meat: steamed or boiled; · some by-products; · porridge with water or with added milk (half with water).

Periodically you should give fermented milk, for example, kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese. Warm whole milk once or twice a day will benefit babies, but it is not advisable to give it to an adult dog. What is prohibited from offering to Klee Kais:

· raw meat, eggs; · highly peppered or salted food; · pork; · bones; · smoked products; · various sweets, baked goods.

It is better to choose premium quality commercial food. Veterinarians recommend not mixing food with homemade food, this can cause disruption of the digestive tract and provoke the occurrence of illnesses. The animal should always have access to clean drinking water at room temperature. Both purchased water from bottles and from the tap will do, which is best left to settle for about six to seven hours.

Miniature Husky puppies

Considering that the Klee Kai breed is still considered rare, the first difficulties arise at the stage of choosing a kennel and the puppy itself. On the territory of Russia there are only a few nurseries engaged in breeding mini-huskies, and therefore in order to purchase a puppy, you will most likely have to sign up for a waiting list in advance, and it is very possible that you will have to wait for a puppy for many months if all the available litters in the nursery you have chosen will already be sold out or reserved .
Kennel owners often organize the delivery of puppies to all regions of the country themselves. But in this case, you will be able to see your baby only after he is brought to you. So, keep in mind that you may be buying a “pig in a poke,” since it is difficult to judge the character of the puppy you have chosen from a photograph or even a video, and some exterior flaws are also very easy to hide in this way.

But let’s say you finally become the happy owner of a long-awaited Click Kai. So what's next? And then you have to start training and socializing him from the very first days of the baby’s appearance in your home . If this is not done, the dog may grow up disobedient, mischievous and, possibly, aggressive towards strangers or other animals.

IMPORTANT! The Klee Kai has very strong hunting instincts, so he is quite capable of hunting your own hamsters, guinea pigs, decorative rabbits or parrots. Small kittens may also be at risk.

Even if the mini-husky is quite friendly towards other dogs, then all small animals for him are not friends or even neighbors with whom he can live peacefully in the same house, but prey that needs to be caught and eaten . Therefore, it is necessary to make it clear to the puppy from the first days that it is forbidden to hunt other animals.

It is better to start serious training of Klee Kai early - from four months. And it is advisable to find him something of interest already at this time, so that the puppy has somewhere to put his energy. Only in this case you need to remember that such still small puppies should not jump over high obstacles or pull heavy objects. But this is quite a good time to learn home tricks or the simplest elements of freestyle.

As for the issues of nutrition and care for Klee Kai, everything is very simple. Since these pets are not large in size, and moreover, they are most often kept in an apartment or in a house, they can be fed with ordinary natural food, such as raw or boiled beef, sea fish, dairy products, vegetables, cereals and herbs . It is also acceptable to feed your Klee Kai dry or wet store-bought premium and super-premium dog food.

ATTENTION! Dry food should not be mixed with meat, as this can cause protein poisoning in the dog.

Daily care for your Klee Kai involves brushing its thick coat. If you don’t do this, your pet’s elegant “fur coat” will get tangled. During the shedding period, it is necessary to comb out the fallen undercoat several times a day. It is recommended to use special shampoos to wash long-haired dogs.

In general, this is a healthy and strong breed; its representatives have practically no hereditary diseases, and miniature huskies live a long time: often up to 15–17 years . True, provided that the owner gives his pet all the necessary vaccinations on time, and also carefully monitors his diet.

Care and maintenance

The basic rules for the care and maintenance of an Alaskan Klee Kai are timely walking (on average 2-3 times a day), a properly formulated diet, hygiene, a lot of activity and attention. The dogs are pretty clean. They themselves skillfully clean their fur, eyes and ears, and lick their paws. But the owner should do this 1-2 times a week, using shampoos, dry products, and conditioners while bathing. To comb out fur, you can purchase special brushes or mittens with small spikes at the pet store. For hygiene of the dog’s eyes and ears, you will need clean tissues and cotton pads.

Despite their small size, Klee Kais do not need clothing in winter. A natural fur coat provides great warmth even on the coldest days. These furry friends love large snowdrifts and puddles, so when walking you should learn to avoid such objects. But sometimes you can lower the leash, giving free rein to frolic.

Training of dogs of this breed

As with any other dog breed, you need to spend enough time with a mini husky so that it understands the training process. This is not an easy matter. Although dogs of this breed inherited their appearance from their ancestor, they also inherited a stubborn character and hot temperament. If the owner shows weakness, they may suddenly switch places in training.

The learning process requires patience and a lot of time and effort. The owner must understand that a mini husky is a smart and wise dog. Therefore, you don’t need to chase her just after a ball or slippers. Puppies begin to be trained in a light playful way. The puppy needs to be praised; for a completed command, you can reward it with food or encourage it with a good word.

From a very young age, the dog is taught to walk on a leash. After all, this is an active and playful animal that needs to be tamed. The pet is accustomed to house routine and feeding schedule. It is better to buy a toy for the puppy, otherwise all the furniture will be chewed.

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Tips for choosing a puppy

Often the breeders themselves sell small purebred puppies. Or you can contact a breeding nursery with a good reputation and official confirmation of breeding this particular breed. First, inspect the premises and make sure that the Alaskan Klee Kai puppies are kept clean.

Look at the baby you like from head to tail. The ears should be clean, the eyes clear, the teeth white, the gums pink, and the coat soft. Watch his movements.

It is very important to see the mother of the puppies, take a closer look at her appearance, general condition and behavior of other babies from the litter. If you choose an animal to participate in exhibitions, it is better to get to know both parents. This will allow you to understand how fertile your chosen little Klee Kai is.

How to choose a puppy

Since there are only a few nurseries operating in our country that breed miniature huskies, people who want to purchase a dog of this breed usually entrust the choice of a puppy to the breeder and sign up in advance.

The number of individuals and litters is not too large. When a puppy is born, the potential owner is notified of this event. Nursery owners often provide services for the delivery of animals to various regions. Puppies range in price from $1,000 to $6,000.

Representatives of this rare and unique breed, infectious with their friendliness and cheerfulness, are a good choice for experienced dog breeders who live in the countryside and are willing to spend a lot of time communicating with their pet.

5 / 5 ( 1 voice )

Are they very similar to huskies and how?

Klee Kai is, as already mentioned, a mini-copy of a husky. Externally, these two breeds are very similar. But the tail is also different in size. The rest is the same. But their characters are different: if the husky is a proud northern sled dog, then the kai is a sweet companion in the house. Klee Kai is just a cat compared to a restless husky!

Mini husky next to husky

Where to buy a puppy: nurseries

• “SONG OF ICE” is an Alaskan Klee Kai nursery in Russia. He is a member of the American Klee-Kai Breed Club of Alaska and the British Breed Club. Here you can purchase a professionally raised, socialized and fully vaccinated miniature puppy. Parents who have undergone genetic and health testing. In addition, in the nursery you can get professional advice on breeding and feeding a puppy from a breeder and a zoopsychologist.
• Northern moon. The nursery is located five kilometers from Ryazan. The dogs live in spacious enclosures with special walking areas. Pets are promptly sanitized and vaccinated, and constantly participate in dog shows.
• Artistic sympathy.
• Secrets of Vittoria.

How to choose a puppy: important tips for the future dog owner. Everyone should know!

average price

How much does a Klee Kai puppy cost and what is the average price of a dog? To purchase this breed, you should choose the most proven breeds that are able to provide all the necessary documents, certificates, and so on. It is impossible to buy a purebred animal manually or through advertising on the Internet.

This breed is rare in Russia, so puppies are quite expensive. The cost of a miniature husky Klee Kai starts from $2,000 and can reach 5,000-6,000 rubles.