All About the Breed: Alaskan Klee Kai

The Alaskan Klee Kai is an intelligent and outgoing breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.

History

The origin of the Alaskan Klee Kai can be traced back to 1970’s Alaska, when sled dog enthusiast, Linda Spurling, began experimenting with breeds in order to create a small, Terrier-sized sled dog. Spurling crossed the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and the Schipperke, and the Alaskan Klee Kai was finally born.

Throughout its history, the Alaskan Klee Kai has been most commonly kept as a companion, yet is known to make a remarkable watch and guard dog, due to its suspicious feeling towards strangers.

Today, the Alaskan Klee Kai remains very rare outside of its native Alaska.

Personality Traits

Best known for its lively and outgoing nature, the Alaskan Klee Kai is full of character. These dogs are known for not being social, yet they do rely heavily on strong and dependable relationships with their owners. This breed is highly intelligent, yet stubborn and independent, creating difficulty in training. As a pet, the Alaskan Klee Kai is loyal, loving, and affectionate. These dogs enjoy spending time outdoors and flourish in all climates.

Train-ability

Due to its independent and stubborn attitude, the Alaskan Klee Kai can prove somewhat challenging to train. This breed is known for showing boredom and even irritation with repetitive exercises and tasks.

Establishing immediate dominance, trust, and respect is key to successfully training the Alaskan Klee Kai. These dogs require an experienced, patient, confident, and strong handler with a stern and serious approach.

Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed

There are many benefits to owning an Alaskan Klee Kai, such as its surprisingly no hassle, low maintenance coat. This breed is very active, and often quite amusing and entertaining to watch while at play. When properly socialized from a young age, the Alaskan Klee Kai gets along well with small children and other pets, often making friends quickly. These dogs are very dominant and protective, making amazing watch and guard dogs, announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors, and serving as a deterrent against would-be intruders. The Alaskan Klee Kai is loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent family pet and companion alike.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning an Alaskan Klee Kai. These active and athletic dogs require large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. An Alaskan Klee Kai not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, digging, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.

Like many companion breeds, the Alaskan Klee Kai is known to suffer from separation anxiety. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed who travel frequently, have full time work, or are away from the home on a daily basis are advised to begin researching another breed. During an attack of separation anxiety, the Alaskan Klee Kai will act out of nervous destruction and may destroy property, dig, chew, bark, whine, and ignore housebreaking training.

As previously mentioned, the Alaskan Klee Kai is very rare outside of its native Alaska and can prove quite difficult to obtain. Individuals wishing to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, extremely high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.

Common Health Concerns

While the Alaskan Klee Kai is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, liver disease, congenital heart defects, cryptorchidism – failure of one or both of the testicles to fully descend, and various dental issues.

Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own an Alaskan Klee Kai? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.

Sources:

http://www.heydogs.com/a/alaskan-klee-kai.html

http://www.dogster.com/breeds/alaskan_klee_kai