Alaskan Klee Kai are companion-sized dogs that are often referred to as a smaller version of their northern ancestors, the Alaskan Husky.
Klee Kai were created and developed in the the 1970s in Alaska by Linda Spurlin and her family.
In 1988, the Spurlins made their Alaskan Klee Kai available to the public having meticulously selected dogs who met their high standards.
The Alaskan Klee Kai were recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1997.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Alaskan Klee Kai breeders and Alaskan Klee Kai rescue organization
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What is an Alaskan Klee Kai?
Red and white Alaskan Klee Kai pup (Photo: lifewithkleekai/Instagram)
Alaskan Klee Kai are a companion-sized breed of dog.
As we mentioned above, Klee Kai were created by an American lady called Linda Spurlin in the 1970s. Her initial aim was to create a companion-sized version of a northern spitz-type dog referred to as the Alaskan Husky.
Note: Alaskan Huskies are not a breed recognised by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club unlike Siberian Huskies.
Linda and the Spurlin family worked on developing these dogs from the 1970s up until 1988. They carefully selected dogs that met their high standards for appearance and soundness.
In 1988, the Alaskan Klee Kai were made available to the general public.
Spurlin initially named her companion-sized huskies Klee Kai but the name was changed to the Alaskan Klee Kai in 1995 to denote their place of origin.
The United Kennel Club recognised the Alaskan Klee Kai in 1997.
As of 2019, there’s thought to be around 15,000 Alaskan Klee Kai in the USA.
Are Alaskan Klee Kai purebred?
Alaskan Klee Kai are purebred dogs. Therefore, you can only create an Alaskan Klee Kai by breeding two Alaskan Klee Kai together. As we touched upon above, Spurlin’s Klee Kai have been recognised by the United Kennel Club since the 1990s.
Unlike Mini Huskies or Pomskies, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a purebred dog that has a breed standard. The UKC explain the importance of the breed standard on their website:
The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.
What dogs were used to ‘create’ the Alaskan Klee Kai?
It’s important to understand Alaskan Klee Kai are pure breed. So you can’t create an Alaskan Klee Kai other than by breeding two Alaskan Klee Kai together.
When Spurlin created and developed her Klee Kai in the 1970s, she used mostly Alaskan Husky, as well as some Siberian Husky, American Eskimo Dog and Schipperke. This doesn’t mean that you can breed these dogs together and create an Alaskan Klee Kai right now. There are been 15 generations of UKC registered Alaskan Klee Kai.
Here’s Alicia Bieder, the president of the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America, to explain more:
There is a massive misrepresentation in social media and on many websites that there a several breeds put together to “make up an Alaskan Klee Kai.” This belief does a disservice to the creator and the many breeders that have been selectively breeding for the last 30 years. The breed has been breeding true for over 15 generations.
Alaskan Klee Kai color and size
Alaskan Klee Kai have fun at a park (Photo: lifewithkleekai/Instagram)
Alaskan Klee Kai come in three different colors: black and white, grey and white and red and white. The UKC provide more clarity on the colors permitted in the Klee Kai breed on their website:
Coat colors in shades of black, gray or red are acceptable provided that the facial mask is distinct and clearly visible, and there is a contrasting lighter color on the bottom half of the dogs face, throat, chest, breeches, feet, legs and underside. The overall appearance is one of symmetry.
The Alaskan Klee Kai come in three different sizes: standard (15 inches to 17 inches tall), miniature (13 inches to 15 inches tall) and toy (up to 13 inches tall). For the purposes of showing at a competition, over 17 inches in an eliminating fault.
It is intended that the Alaskan Klee Kai remain a small to medium-sized dog. Height is measured from the withers to the ground. Weight should be proportionate to height and bone structure, appearing neither too heavy nor too thin.
Alaskan Klee Kai breeders
There are approximately around 100 Alaskan Klee Kai breeders in the world.
If you’re looking for an Alaskan Klee Kai breeder, the best place to start is the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America’s website, akkaoa.org.
There are 50 breeders who have signed up to the AKKAOA’s code of ethics. You may be wondering why a code of ethics is important. Here’s the AKKAOA’s president Alicia Bieder to highlight why a code of ethics is crucial:
When breeders do not follow a code of ethics, there are a plethora of problems that can occur, including no accountability for overall breeding programs, habits, goals, health testing, or even purity of the breed. We have a code of ethics listed on our website which I think is essential for people to read and understand before they go out and look for a breeder
With that in mind, here’s the list of 50 breeders who have signed up to the AKKAOA’s code of ethics (you can access this list and more information by visiting akkaoa.org).
If you want to know more about buying an Alaskan Klee Kai, you read our interview with Alicia Bieder here.
California breeders
• Thurisia Kennels
• Angels’ Crest Alaskan Klee Kai
• Naitok Kennels
• Aklokum
• Helderberg Husky West
• Kenai Ridge Kennels
• Ikigai Kennel
• Rocky Mountain Klee Kai
• Beach Klee Kai
Breeders in other American states
• Nordic Mini Huskys (Oregon)
• Huggable Huskies (Oregon)
• Utah’s Own Klee Kai (Utah)
• ICE Alaskan Klee Kai (Colorado)
• AKK of the Rockies (Colorado)
• Avalonia (Connecticut)
• RPAKK (Florida)
• Southern Sweet Alaskan Klee Kai (Georgia)
• Pocket Huskies Alaskan Klee Kai (Georgia)
• Midwest Klee Kai (Iowa)
• Wiebelhusky’s Alaskan Klee Kai (Kansas)
• TotemHill Alaskan Klee Kai (Massachusetts)
• Old Man Creek Kennel (Maryland)
• Kurscha Alaskan Klee Kai (Michigan)
• Kelevra (Michigan)
• Kiki D’s (Minnesota)
• Diamond E Klee Kai (Missouri)
• Maheekun Alaskan Klee Kai (Montana)
• Regal Alaskan Klee Kai (North Carolina)
• Barkor’s Alaskan Klee Kai (New Jersey)
• AliAK (Nevada)
• MIKKA Klee Kai (Oklahoma)
• Fusion of XXcellence Alaskan Klee Kai (Oklahoma)
• Sibridge Alaskan Klee Kai (Tennessee)
• ATX Klee Kai (Texas)
• Blu Sky (Texas)
• Heart of Texas Alaskan Klee Kai (Texas)
• Top Dog Klee Kai (Texas)
• Mak’s Pack (Virgina)
• Kessel Run AKK (Virgina)
• Alaskan Klee Kai of Puget Sound (Washington)
• Itzy Bitzy Huskies (Wyoming)
Breeders in Europe
• House of Klee Kai (England)
• Beau Bjorn (Finland
• Ratlers Kennel (Sweden)
• Song of Ice (Russia)
• Art Simpatiya (Russia)
Breeders in other part of the world
• Aus Klee Kai (Australia)
• Dara Realta Alaskan Klee Kai (Canada)
• TOPAZ Alaskan Klee Kai (Canada)
• AKKIRA AKK (Canada)
• Sask Klee Kai (Canada)
• House of Kitsune (Singapore)
For more information, visit akkaoa.org
Alaskan Klee Kai price
Alaskan Klee Kai can vary in price from breeder to breeder. However, the price range for a Klee Kai puppy is usually from $1800 to $3000.
Some breeders may charge more money for certain physical traits, such as coat color, eye color or size.
If you see advertisements for Alaskan Klee Kai puppies costing under $1500 or more than $3000, you should be very cautious.
You should ask a breeder to show proof of UKC registration for the parents to ensure you’re not being scammed irrespective of the price.
Alaskan Klee Kai puppies for sale
If you’re looking to buy an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy, you can contact one of the 50 breeders listed above.
Most breeders will have an extensive waiting list which requires a deposit from potential dog owners.
You’ll also have to fill out a questionnaire so the breeder can get an insight into your lifestyle and whether you’re a good fit for an Alaskan Klee Kai.
You can also visit “Available Alaskan Klee Kai dogs and puppies” on Facebook. In order for a breeder to post in the group, the dog has to be UKC registered. They’ve got to list the registration information on the group post.
Alaskan Klee Kai rescue
Alternatively, you may prefer to rescue an Alaskan Klee Kai. Although there don’t tend to be many Klee Kai that are put up for rescue, there are some dogs that need to rehomed.
You could also consider fostering an Alaskan Klee Kai to give you an insight into the breed before you decide to go ahead and get a Klee Kai puppy. As with any dog, an AKK is a big responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Anything else to consider?
If you want to learn more about Alaskan Klee Kai or Klee Kai breeders, you can visit akkaoa.org.
You can also reach out to Alaskan Klee Kai owners on Instagram who can provide you with more background and information on the breed based upon their experience.
Remeber, the UKC registration is the biggest way to tell if you’re encountering a scam:
The number one way to tell if you’re encountering a scam is through that UKC registration. Most dogs that are sold on general websites or in a pet shop don’t have UKC registration. You should walk way immediately! The UKC registration information should be available in the contract for purchasing the dog.
Wrapping up
Alaskan Klee Kai come in three different sizes (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
So that’s everything you need to know about Alaskan Klee Kai breeders.
There are 50 breeders who have signed up to the AKKAOA’s code of ethics. They’re probably your best bet to start with if you’re considering a Klee Kai as a pet.
Don’t ever be lured into buying an Alaskan Klee Kai online, at a pet store or through a third party dealer as it’s almost certainly a scam.
