- How did the breed name
originate? How is Alaskan Klee Kai pronounced?
- What size are Alaskan Klee Kai?
What colors are there?
- Are Alaskan Klee Kai noisy? What type
of sounds do they make?
- What is the Alaskan Klee
Kai personality/temperament like?
- Huskies are known for being
diggers capable of digging up gardens. Do Alaskan Klee Kai maintain
that tradition? And are they chewers?
- Is the AKK suitable for
apartment living? How much exercise do Alaskan Klee Kai need?
- How trainable are Alaskan Klee Kai?
- How are they with
children? Strangers? Other animals?
- What is the current waiting
list? Can you estimate how much an AKK would cost. Are breeders
willing to sell to persons outside the United States?
1. Name?
Pronunciation?
The breed's developer, Linda S. Spurlin, derived the
name Klee Kai from the Eskimo words that mean 'little dog'.
A good way to learn to pronounce Klee Kai is to rhyme
Klee with Key and Kai with Tie. So when put together "Klee
Kai" rhymes with "Key Tie". Phonetically:
Use the "cl" sound in "clean" to
give you the "Kl" sound of Klee and rhyme it with Key so that
you say "Cley".
Use the "ki" sound of "kite" and
since that sounds rhymes with Tie, you've just pronounced Kai. 
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2. Sizes and Colors?
There are 3 varieties of Alaskan Klee Kai:
Toy - 10 to 13 inches tall at the withers, weigh
about 10 pounds;
Miniature - over 13 to 15 inches at the withers,
weigh about 15 pounds;
Standard - over 15 to 17 inches at the withers, weigh
about 20 pounds;
Larger AKK (18 inches and over) still occasionally
happen and are not allowed in the breeding program.
The basic color are the same as for huskies: gray
& white, black & white, and red & white. Symmetrical
markings and contrasting facial mask are important breed
characteristics. This means that although an all white or a
asymmetrically marked AKK may be born, those pups will not be allowed in
the breeding program but would and will make wonderful pets for the
proper loving family.
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3. Noisy? Sounds?
Alaskan Klee Kai have, in my opinion, one of the
largest range of vocalizations of any breed of dog exceeding even the
'yodeling' capability of basenjis and the AKK range does (unlike
basenjis) include barking. They are not incessant barkers or
'yippy' barkers, but rather AKK bark when some strange person or animal
enters their 'territory'. Mine have learned over time that in our house
barking is a 'no-no' but talking and singing is okay. Yes, they
still bark but respond to a "No Bark" command within
acceptable limits.
Their ability to talk is, again in my opinion, one of
the breed's greatest features. I enjoy the fact that they need to
tell me about their day when I come home (although there are times when
Jazz begins shouting to me from the moment she hears the key in the
door, that I find less than enjoyable). But that is usually when she's
been alone all day and needs to go out.....and I'd probably shout then
too. 
Basically, I believe the Alaskan Klee Kai talk for
much the same reason that we talk to each other. Left alone all day or
even for a few hours, they need to express their joy at having you home
with them again, they need to tell you about their day, and yes, scold
you for not taking them with you in the first place. But like a child
who needs to tell you those same things....it is, I believe, a true sign
of their love for you and if you give them just a few minutes of true
attention, they tell you their stories and quiet quickly down.
Perhaps because we enjoy listening to our AKK,
perhaps it is true with most AKK, but ours will talk to us frequently
during the day. When I'm in the kitchen or relaxing, I can generally
start a conversation with Jazz by asking her a question. And
definitely when I tell Jazz she can't do something or to stop doing
something....she has a tendency to mutter under her breath....basically
she sasses me back.....not that I appreciate the sassing tone but I have
to admit it brings a smile to my face. Jazz's sassing has definitely
given me a greater appreciation for why my mother use to exclaim in
indignation; "Don't sass me!"
Almost like people, each AKK seem to have their own
vocal and tone range. Jazz is an alto, Melody is a definite soprano, and
Harmony....well he's still too young to tell for sure....but his puppy
bark is deeper than Jazz's was so when he develops he talk and singing
range I suspect he'll be a tenor. I rather hope he is because then he
should really be able to harmonize with Jazz and Melody.
Here are some 'chat' sessions and singing sessions
we've enjoyed:
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4. Personality?
Temperament?
As you begin to think about how an AKK would fit into
your home, here are some general breed tendencies. They are an extremely
intelligent, fun-loving breed, eager to please, and quick to learn. They
are a northern breed, so they are independent thinkers....so while quick
to learn....they are not probably going to be 100% obedient. But then as
most experienced dog trainers will tell you, there are no 100% obedient
dogs.
The Alaskan Klee Kai, is devoted to its family
preferring to be with them rather than anywhere else in the world. This
is the breed of dog you want if you want one that enjoys being by your
side as you watch TV or read a book. They are not obtrusive in their
demands and will relax in a quiet spot near you if you're busy, but
they'll spring into excitement when you want to go for a walk, or ride
in the car, or simply out in the yard for an game of fetch.
They are by nature reserved around strangers but how
reserved is directly proportional to the amount of time and attention
the owner spends socializing them. We have found that any outing where
we take our AKK turns into a socialization opportunity....These kids are
such attention getters that walking them down our street draws people to
come out, meet, and pet them. And a walk in a community park is bound to
have them draw practically crowds.
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5. Digging? Chewing?
I'm relatively new to the breed, but I've been in
dogs for a very long time and have experience in working breeds (dobes),
scent hounds (miniature long hair doxies), and sighthounds
(basenjis).....and in my opinion all dogs dig. Alaskan Klee Kai are no
exception. And some rarely dig, some dig a lot, and some dig habitually.
Our Jazz has put small pock marks in our back
yard....but it almost seems she does it as part of what Frank and I call
"bug hunting". She'll kinda pounce like she's either heard a
bug or sighted one and then dig abit like she after it. She did get
enthusiastic in one spot near some bushes outside our back door...and
dug down about 3 inches...but after I brought her in (alias got her
attention off that spot) she's never gone back to it. Although
occasionally she's repeated this behavior in other areas.
Chewing might be more an issue....at least with a
puppy. Jazz has broken off a few bush and/or vine branches and/or
black-eye susan stalks by chewing on them....she likes to play with and
chew on sticks....but again this is more puppy teething/chewing issues
then a long-term issue.
Jazz is not the only AKK I'm aware of who like to
chew on wood....in fact one of her favorite 'outside' toys is a natural
soft pine 'table leg' about 1 foot long. She grabs the stick and
runs around the yard, enjoys playing fetch with it, but frequently will
just lie in the grass and nibble/chew on the wood.
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6. Apartment
Dwelling? Exercise?
I have very little doubt that AKK would do very well
living in an apartment....the main issue would be the need for
sufficient exercise.
When I get home after a day being confined to the
kitchen and dog room....next to telling me all about her day, Jazz hits
the back yard and runs like wildfire! It an actual joy to watch her
speed and agility (although sometimes she runs soooooo fast that when
she corners her feet go out from in under her....not that that stops her
run or her joy of running).
Remember all puppies are boundless packets of energy.
That energy needs to be funneled towards constructive ends through
vigorous exercise and/or play. As the dog matures, they still need
appropriate exercise but their energy level is at least not as
boundless! :-)
I remember when I was living in an apartment, I use
to make use of the tennis courts to provide a fenced area where my dogs
could run off lead. I'm not a jogger....but certainly jogging with a dog
also provides a good means of exercise. Just walking.....which was my
other form of providing exercise for my dogs during my apartment days.
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7. Trainability ?
I've never trained a golden...but I think of Alaskan
Klee Kai as working dogs and having trained dobes, I think AKK are very
trainable. And very smart....which doesn't mean that they are 100%
obedient.
From Jazz, I expect consistent compliance to our
house rules and 'good dog' manners. I expect her to learn quickly and be
obedient either when working or when I require it....tone of voice with
which we issue the command being the key here. Being a northern breed
and therefore somewhat independent thinker....I expect them to test the
waters much like a human kid may test their parent's rules.
For example, it took Jazz only a few times to learn
"Sit". Does she sit every time the command is
given....No...not yet....will she?....yup....when I issue it as a
command. In our house the sternly spoken "UT!" is our sternest
command....DEMANDING immediate compliance....which in the case of
"UT!" is STOP WHATEVER YOUR DOING!" Jazz learned this one
when she first came to our home and her compliance with it is excellent.
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8. Kids?
Strangers? Other Animals?
Frank and I do not have children....other than our
dogs and cats. So our experience wtih how AKK and any of our 'kids' is
based on how they accept and deal with either children visiting our
home, or with children when we're out in public.
Our AKK are terrific with children. Our neighbor was
over the other day with her 2year old granddaughter. Jazz was a bit
cautious of her when she was on the floor, and stayed out of reach after
the little girl stepped on Jazz's toe....once on my lap, Jazz delighted
in giving her a face and hand washing....and when the little girl was on
her grandma's lap or sitting on the floor, Jazz was right over there
investigating her and continuing the kissing. When take our 'kids' out
for walks....they are 'children magnets', and Jazz seems to really enjoy
the attention.....she a bit more reserved in home, but still very
accepting.
The key with how AKK deal with children like how
they deal with adult strangers seems in my mind to be really dependent
on their socialization.
And anyone and everyone in this breed will all
agree that SOCIALIZATION is VERY IMPORTANT!!! But as important as it
is for puppies and dogs to learn proper behavior and tolerance with
children....it is JUST as important or even more important for children
to learn proper behavior with and around puppies and dogs! Alaskan Klee
Kai are small dogs and therefore like any small breed cannot and should
not be expected to handle the really rough 'play' and treatment that
larger breeds may be more willing to accept. This is not to say
AKK don't enjoy rigorous tug-o-wars and 'wrestling'....but those
activities need to be tempered to the dog's size and ability.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is by nature a very reserved
breed. Loving to family and well-known friends, they are cautious
of strangers. I like this in a breed, but then many years ago,
I had a super-friendly dog stolen out of my backyard because she was
sooooo willing to go with any 'friendly' person. AKK have a tendency to
look at people and evaluate them, rather than bound up to them with
wagging tails and kisses.
With other animals....my experience is with other
dogs and cats. Again, I've found that how the other animal deals
with other animals. If exposed to accepting other animals when a
pup, the Alaskan Klee Kai will learn to accept other animals.
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9. Waiting Lists?
Costs? Selling outside the United States?
Since the Alaskan Klee Kai is a very young breed,
since the breeding requirements are very rigorous, since litter size is
relatively small with 2 or 3 pups being average, and since the breed is
growing in public awareness and popularity...all breeders have waiting
lists. How long one has to wait is largely dependant on the buyers 'wish
list' (what they really want in their AKK). Alaskan Klee Kai
breeders are dedicated to trying their very best to fit the pup or dog
with their new family and vice versa. I know some AKK owners who
have waited 4 years for their perfect pup....others far less.
The price is really breeder and dog dependent.
It is really best for you to contact various breeders, decide who you
want to work with towards obtaining the AKK member of your family and
request information from them on their prices, sales contracts, and
other issues germane to your personal specifications and
circumstances.
For example, when I decided to enter the Alaskan Klee
Kai fancy, I knew I want a breeding/show potential puppy and before I
ever contacted any AKK breeder I estimated and accepted that
I would be willing to pay between $1,000 and $3,000. Had I been
interested in a guaranteed breeding/show young adult or adult, I would
have anticipated paying between $1,000 to $5,000 or even more.
In general, the cost for a companion (non-show,
non-breeding, on a spay/neuter contract) AKK will be less than for a
show and/or breeding quality....Older puppies/young adults might be a
bit less as well as breeders often grow out a show/breeding potential
puppy and then if the puppy doesn't grow into a show/breeding adult,
they need to place the pup or young adult in a good home.
In general, some breeders are willing to place dogs
outside the US (there are currently Alaskan Klee Kai in both England and
Australia), but that too would be up to individual breeders. I'm sure
serious consideration would be given to transportation issues.
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