The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small dog that loves their families and tends to be affectionate on their terms. Although small, they are a versatile dog breed that enjoys being active and being around the people they like the best. Here are a few more facts about Alaskan Klee Kai:

1. They Are Not Huskies

Although the Alaskan Klee Kai looks like a miniaturized Husky and is even sometimes referred to as a “Miniature Husky”, they are not Huskies as we know them today. The Alaskan Klee Kai is its own dog breed. However, like Huskies and other dog breeds, they are considered a spitz-type dog breed.

They may have Huskies in their ancestry, as they were originally developed to be a companion-sized version of the Alaskan Husky, but they also have Schipperkes and American Eskimo Dogs in their ancestry. Having those smaller breeds in the original crosses was necessary in order to prevent issues with dwarfism.

2. The Alaskan Klee Kai is a Newer Dog Breed

The Alaskan Klee Kai is one of the newer dog breeds and they also originated in the United States. They were developed in Alaska during the 1970s by crossing Siberian and Alaskan Huskies with Schipperkes and American Eskimo Dogs. They became available to the public in 1988.

Although they are not yet recognized as a purebred dog by the American Kennel Club, they can be enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners Program and can also compete in AKC Companion Events. They are currently recognized by both the American Rare Breed Association and the United Kennel Club, so they may be on their way to AKC recognition.

3. They Should Not be Let Off-Leash

Like the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Klee Kai has a high prey drive and an urge to wander. This means they are prone to chase anything they find interesting and also that they have wanderlust.

If let off-leash, they tend to wander off, ignore commands to return, and will only come back once they are good and ready. Because of this, it’s important to only let an Alaskan Klee Kai off-leash in a securely fenced area. They also love to run, so having a fenced-in area where they can run to their heart’s content is a plus.

4. Alaskan Klee Kai Tend to be Wary of Strangers

Although they are being bred and socialized to have more open personalities and you may find a super-friendly one here and there, Alaskan Klee Kai tend to be wary and reserved with strangers.

They are friendly, affectionate, and loving dogs with their families, but they generally do not like to have much to do with strangers. They may be happy to take a treat from someone they don’t know, but they may not enjoy all the attention and petting they receive from strangers.

5. They Are Generally Quiet, But Will “Talk”

Alaskan Klee Kai tend to be quiet in general. Unless they have been trained into it, they don’t usually bark or howl a lot. However, like other northern dog breeds, they will “vocalize” and “talk” to you, especially if you purposefully or inadvertently train them into it.

Their vocalizations will also tend to vary depending on the situation. For example, they’ll have a few they do when they’re happy, which will sound completely different from the vocalizations they make when they are unhappy.

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a good fit for single owners or families who can devote the time to give them the attention, affection, exercise, and consistent training they need to stay happy and healthy. These are just a few facts about Alaskan Klee Kai.

If you think this could be the right dog breed for you, learn more about them and check out the available Alaskan Klee Kai puppies. You could end up finding your new best friend!