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  1. Expert Hub
  2. Dog Breeds
  3. Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kai

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Find Alaskan Klee Kai Breeders Near You

Connect with certified breeders who have Alaskan Klee Kai puppies available.

Find Alaskan Klee Kai Breeders

Get to Know Alaskan Klee Kais

  • Not Mini Huskies: Though they closely resemble Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Klee Kais are a distinct breed with their own lineage and personality traits, they weren’t simply bred down from Huskies but carefully developed using several breeds.
  • They Come in Three Sizes: The breed is divided into three size categories, toy (up to 13 inches), miniature (13–15 inches), and standard (15–17 inches), making them one of the few spitz-type breeds offered in multiple sizes.
  • Husky Style, Cat-Like Behavior: Unlike the outgoing and boisterous Siberian Husky, Klee Kais are known for being more reserved and cautious, especially with strangers. Many owners describe their behavior as cat-like — independent, curious, and sometimes aloof.
  • Talkative but Not Howlers: Klee Kais are known for being vocal, often using a mix of yips, whines, and “talking” to express themselves. However, they are generally less prone to howling than their larger Husky relatives.
  • Escape Artists in Small Packages: Despite their small size, Klee Kais are surprisingly agile and clever, making them excellent escape artists. They can jump high, climb, or squeeze through small gaps, so secure fencing is a must!

Breed History

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new and rare breed developed in the 1970s in Alaska by Linda Spurlin. She aimed to create a companion-sized version of the Alaskan Husky, maintaining the striking appearance and energetic spirit of a northern sled dog in a smaller, more manageable package. By selectively breeding Alaskan Huskies with smaller breeds such as the American Eskimo Dog and Schipperke, Spurlin achieved a compact, intelligent, and alert dog that closely resembles a miniature Siberian Husky. The name "Klee Kai" comes from an Inuit term meaning "small dog." Though not bred for working like their larger relatives, Alaskan Klee Kais are known for their agility, loyalty, and keen awareness, making them excellent companions and watchdogs.

Alaskan Klee Kai Summary

weight iconWeight
6-25 lbs
lifespan iconLifespan
13-16 yrs
exercise iconExercise
Moderate
trainability iconTrainability
Moderate
temperament iconTemperament
Alert
Reserved
Loyal
grooming iconGrooming
Moderate

What to ask your breeder?

It's important to ensure your breeder conducts thorough health screenings on the two dogs that were bred for the litter. Reputable breeders should perform genetic laboratory testing and also orthopedic evaluations. There's no way to guarantee every puppy in every litter is 100% free from health problems, but responsible breeding practices greatly reduce the risk.

Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:

Alaskan Klee Kai Health Testing

ScreeningConsiderations
Autoimmune thyroiditisAutoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA.
Cardiac EvaluationOne of the following: Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam. Results registered with OFA. Advanced Cardiac Exam Basic Cardiac Exam
ACVO Eye ExamOne of the following: ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. International Ophthalmology Exam. Results registered with OFA.
FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test(Optional but recommended) DNA-based F7D test from an approved laboratory. Results registered with OFA.

How Much Does It Cost to Own an Alaskan Klee Kai Per Year?

Determining the cost of owning an Alaskan Klee Kai is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.

The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator

An Alaskan Klee Kai puppy sitting on the couch with a calculatorCalculate Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Alaskan Klee Kai

When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Alaskan Klee Kai puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.

You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:

  • Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Alaskan Klee Kai, and can I see the results?
  • What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
  • How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.

The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.

To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.

Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.

Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.

As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.

Whether an Alaskan Klee Kai is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.

Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.

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