The Klee Kai
The name "Klee Kai" is derived from Eskimo words meaning "small dog". There are approximately 500 of these dogs in existence in the world.
As in the Alaskan Husky and the Siberians and unlike short haired dogs who shed all year long, the Klee Kai also blows their coat twice a year. Of course, the size of the dogs limit the amount of fur blown; however, it is still formidable. It is best to groom the dog on a regular basis during this time. Some of the longer haired dogs can become matted if not groomed. Most Klee Kai will assist the loss of hair by rubbing against things such as fences.
Other than this period of blowing coat, the Klee Kai is very self sufficient. The normal preventative measures should be taken, such as trimming of nails, normal grooming in the form of brushing. This process is especially important in the bonding process.
This is a very intelligent dog. I have actually seen a male dog unweave a chain link fence to get to the female next to him. I have seen a female pull the fence in so the male could squeeze under the fence. They love to be with their people. If they are put in a climate that is unpleasant for them, they will find a way out of it.
Unlike the Siberian Husky, the Klee Kai is standoffish and suspicious of strangers. They do make extremely good watch dogs. They will let you know when some one is around and seldom bark at nothing. I am sure that they would give their lives protecting their loved ones. Klee Kai do not like being treated like a toy. They want to be treated with respect. Since children will sometimes encroach on that wish, only children who know how to treat animals are their preferred companions. These dogs do tend to be a little dog aggressive if not socialized properly. By this I mean to convey that the Klee Kai can be nice to strange dogs as long as the stranger has good intentions. The Klee Kai are generally self assured around strange dogs but will return in kind any acts of aggression. The Klee Kai is uncomfortable when his master is not around. They would much rather travel with him/her and do so easily. The Klee Kai portrait would be incomplete without conveying his love and passionate affection for his master and family members.
Klee Kai are hunters. If raised or introduced correctly, a Klee Kai can live with cats and in a household with birds. Of course it would be prudent for the owner not to leave birds running loose around the house, or to leave a Klee Kai unattended in a room with gerbils, hamsters, etc. Their hunting instinct is very keen and they have been known to make a meal of them. Once I had a gerbil running around in one of those clear balls, the Klee Kai was in the house and I was on the phone. I heard the dog banging the ball around but figured the gerbil was safe. Next thing I know, my granddaughter comes running in the house crying that Sitka is eating the gerbil. That was the last gerbil in our house. I have also had one of my climbers get on top of a bird cage which was hanging from a stand. She simply climbed upon the table then leaped to the top of the cage. I have had many Klee Kai placed in homes in which there were cats, I've even had a dam nurse abandoned kittens. However, there are some that just cannot be trusted. I will usually know those dogs before they leave my house.
Fences will not hold an unhappy Klee Kai. Most Klee Kai that have
been returned by their families have come from a home which ended up
in separation. They are extremely sensitive to disharmony and don't
like it. They also will leave a home where they are kept in the yard
without having visits to the house to be with their families. They are
easily kennel or crate trained; however, don't lock them in a room.
Walls and fences were made to go over, under or through. As with the
the Siberian Husky, a fenced yard is necessary for an outside dog. The
fence should be strong and 6 feet tall. There should be wire in the
ground to inhibit digging out. Klee Kai like to dig dens; therefore,
it would be a good idea to have an area that would allow this activity
without destroying an entire yard. As with all dogs, a kennel area is
desirable for a dog that has the habit of escaping. The kennel area
should be made of chain link, over a concrete pad. The fence should
be 6 feet tall and covered since Klee Kai are climbers.
They will need a dog house but will
spend most of their time sunning themselves on the roof top. They like
to be "King of the Mountain" and therefore always choose the highest
point available to perch.
Klee Kai are pack oriented; therefore, you must establish yourself as the pack leader. It is not necessary to do the alpha roll that is commonly referred to. You just have to inspire respect, not bully the dog into submission. That tactic can make a resentful, unpredictable dog. Treat your dog with respect and expect the same. If you train your puppy correctly he/she will follow you anywhere. In that vein, training classes not only teach the puppy to socialize and respond to you even with distractions, but it also teaches you and everyone else in the family the correct commands to use and how to get your pup to respond. Consistency is extremely important and training classes give the family a place to practice with someone who is available to reinforce the correct training techniques. The training period is also a bonding experience. You will find that your Klee Kai wants to be the best at everything. The trick to a well trained dog is developing good habits to begin with. Once the behavior you want has become a habit, the dog is less likely to break the command.
Agility for these dogs is a great challenge. All they have to do is watch another dog perform on the A-frame or the Bridge and they will follow without human direction. This is the type of training that is fun and productive. Both the owner and the dog have fun learning and following the rules. You will find that challenging your dog is the best way to keep him/her from getting bored and into trouble.
The worst thing that you can do is spoil these precious little dogs. Many people get one of these dogs and treat them like their "baby". Dogs don't understand their role if it is supposed to be your baby. Its a dog and only knows how to be one. When put in this kind of position, your dog can become willful, aggressive and in general unpleasant to be around.
Sometimes shyness can be a problem: both parents should be outgoing and friendly and show no traces of shyness or fear (not to be mistaken for aloofness).
Careful attention must be paid to the patella. It is very easy to develop luxating patellas in the smaller dogs, therefore, extra care must be given to the possible tendencies in our breeding stock. You should check that any pup you are considering has had its parents screened for luxating patellas by a veterinarian.
However, most breeders are very careful, and for this reason, a Klee Kai is remarkably problem free medically speaking.
When the breed was just beginning we believe that a Schipperke and an American Husky were used to bring the size of the Siberian and Alaskan Husky down.Can you get a Klee Kai with blue eyes?
Yes, Klee Kai can have one or both blue eyes. They may also have an eye that is only part blue and the other part brown. In The Siberian this is called a "pinto eye", "parti eye", or "split eye." There is nothing wrong with the eye: the dog can see perfectly clearly. This is a common trait in the Siberian Husky and in the Klee Kai.Most little dogs are yappy and hyper, how are the Klee Kai temperaments?
Klee Kai have a big dog bark. Occasionally we get a screamer or bugler as I call it. This tone is saved for an alarm. Klee Kai are very busy dogs, but not hyper. They are impish and creative. They will keep their owners on their toes. It was reported that one dog was able to get into a dishwasher where a treat had been hidden. They are like having a 2 year old for life.How do Klee Kai stand the cold?
Since the breed was developed in Alaska, they are extremely hardy and tolerant to cold. In the snow they will alternate which paw is on the ground, thus minimizing the chances for frostbite. You will note that the Klee Kai is double coated. A gray and white Klee Kai will have a white undercoat. A black and white Klee Kai will have a white undercoat. The wolf gray and white Klee Kai will have a gray undercoat. A red and white Klee Kai will have a white undercoat. The undercoat is important for protection against cold and heat. The longer guard hairs protect the Klee Kai from moisture. Twice a year the Klee Kai will shed its undercoat over a two to three week period.I live in Mexico, how will a Klee Kai do in hot weather?
Klee Kai just like other dogs, need plenty of water and shade during the summer. A child's swimming pool is a great way for the dog to cool off. Keeping a dog in a car, crate or any other enclosure during the summer can cause heat exhaustion. Without air circulation, the dog's own body heat can be too much. As with any other dog, don't overheat the dog by encouraging excessive exercising during the heat of the day. Klee Kai like to eat ice, and especially appreciate it in the summer time. The Klee Kai will shed its coat prior to summer and does not need to be shaved. This is not necessary and is discouraged. Common sense should prevail, don't put your dog in a situation that you yourself could not tolerate.How are they with kids?
Klee Kai love kids and do great with them as long as the child has been taught to respect the dog and not tease it. These dogs are small enough that an out of control child could be a serious threat. Most Klee Kai would give a child enough leeway that the child could cause serious damage before the dog could run. Good owners make good dogs. They do seem to have this sixth sense about the intentions of a child and will usually avoid a child with bad intentions.Is a yard big enough for a Klee Kai?
Yes, even though they require a lot of exercise, they will accomplish this in a nice sized yard. If there is more than one dog, they will play chase. If not, they will chase birds or birds shadows, grasshoppers, snakes, or anything else that looks like it should be chased. They can also be kept in an apartment, they were bred to be apartment sized huskies, if the owner is sure to walk the dog at least three times a day.Do they shed a lot?
Yes, they shed twice a year. They blow their coat each time and require plenty of brushing during this period. Of course when you are looking at a 10 to 20 pound dog, there isn't nearly as much hair as regular sized husky. I have allergies and these dogs don't aggravate them, so some people who are allergic to dogs may be able to tolerate these, probably because they are such clean dogs.How are they with other dogs?
Many, not all, Klee Kai are aggressive toward other dogs unless they are well socialized as puppies. These dogs will tend to pick up the characteristics of an older dog if raised around one.How miniature are they?
The average Klee Kai is between 10 and 20 pounds, and 12 and 15 inches.Who should not own a Klee Kai?
Anyone who wants to treat their dog like their baby is asking for trouble. Anyone who can't stand hair should not have a Klee Kai. Anyone who can't stand doggy kisses certainly doesn't want a Klee Kai. Anyone who can't be consistent should not own a Klee Kai. Anyone who does not like to draw attention to themselves because everyone who sees a Klee Kai wants to know what it is, where they can get one and how much they cost nor anyone who just wants a status symbol.Is this breed recognized by the AKC?
We have applied for AKC recognition and are waiting for a response at the present time. We have had many people who are wanting to breed the Klee Kai, who also want to be able to show our dogs, thus the application. We are also looking at some people in other countries who want to get involved in the breed but cannot use any other venue besides AKC and FIC to show their dogs. In order to provide the best possible situation for people all over the world I think it is in our best interest to become involved with the American Kennel Club. Klee Kai National Kennel Club will still require all dogs to pass the present criteria in order to be registered as breeding quality or show quality dogs.
At this time, the breed is new enough that there is no distributed literature about the Klee Kai. The closest you can get would be to get a Siberian Husky book. Some things are different, but the majority of what you read about them will hold true with the Klee Kai. Klee Kai don't run away from a good home and they don't mistake intruders as friends.
Breed History: These dogs were bred down from Siberian and Alaskan Huskies.
Earliest History: Mid 1970
Country of Origin: The United States of America, specifically Wasilla, Alaska.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: A muzzle the same color all the way down the nose, or having a small amount of contrasting color over the lips (as in a fox mask). The color under the eyes extends more than half of the way to the end of the nose (as in a fox mask). The color under the eyes extends more than half of the way to the end of the nose (as in a non-existent or unbalanced mask).
Weight is in proportion to height.
The measurements mentioned above represent the extreme height limits, with no preference give to either extreme.
DISQUALIFICATION: Dogs and bitches over 18 inches at the withers.
Eye Color - may be brown or blue in color, one of each or parti-colored are acceptable. Faults: Eyes set too obliquely; set too close together, so round as to appear bulging.
Skull - Of small size and in proportion to the body, slightly rounded on top and tapering gradually from the widest point to the eyes. It should measure five-eighths to one-half of head from stop to occiput. The stop must be clearly defined but not too steep. The lips should be tight fitting over a scissors bite. Faults: Head clumsy or too heavy for the body hinting at dwarfism. A major fault is a snow nose (pink streaked). A straight bite or a cross scissors bite is a fault.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: A nose any complete color other than black or chocolate in the case of a red coated dog.
Muzzle Of medium length, that is, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput or slightly less as in three-eighths of the head. The stop is well-defined but not pronounced and should slope into the skull. The bridge is straight from the stop to the tip. The muzzle is of medium width, tapering gradually to the nose, with the tip neither too pointed nor too short and square. The lips are well-pigmented and close fitting, teeth closing in a scissors bite. Faults: Muzzle either too sharp or too broad, too short or too long, insufficient or prominent stop; any bite other than scissors.
DISQUALIFICATION: - Overshot or undershot jaw.
Nose - Black or chocolate in red dogs.
Ears Of medium to slightly large size but in proportion, triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the head. They are thick, well-furred, slightly arched at the back, and strongly erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight up and foxlike. The inside base of the ears should be straight up from between the center and inner edge of each eye. Faults: Ears too large in proportion to the head, too wide-set; not strongly erect or any color contrasting or not other than the contrasting color on the rest of the body.
DISQUALIFICATION:Ears that are not strongly erect.
Cosmetic Surgery is not allowed except that dew claws may be removed.
Color All colors from black to lightest gray, sable in varying degrees, and all white is acceptable as long as the dog is not albino. All white dogs must be a cream on white and are not allowed to breed with another all white dog. Markings on all parts of the body must appear to be balanced and pleasing to the eye. A variety of markings is common, however, each side should mirror the other. The lips should be black except in the case of a red dog, then the lips may be chocolate.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:A white cape. Any markings on the coat that are not symmetrical. A dog of any solid color which results in no mask and/or no contrasting color on the legs and undertrim except a white dog which must be a cream on white and is not albino. Definite contrasting spots anywhere on the coat (other than over the eyes, a blaze in the middle of the forehead or muzzle and a white tip at the end of the tail).
Faults: Extremely long, rough or shaggy coat, texture too harsh or too flat, the coat being such as to obscure the shape of the dog and trimming of the coat, except as permitted above.
Temperament The characteristic temperament is friendly but protective of territory and family, but is also alert and outgoing once introduced, is otherwise standoffish of strangers and is aggressive toward trespassers whether human or animal. He is defensive with other dogs. His loyalty and loving nature make him a great companion.
Shoulders The shoulder blade is well laid back as an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the ground. The upper arc angles slightly backward from point of shoulder to elbow, and is never perpendicular to the ground. The muscles and ligaments holding the shoulder to the rib cage are firm and well-developed. Faults: - Straight shoulders; loose shoulders.
Chest Deep and strong well muscled but not too broad, with the deepest point being just behind and slightly above the elbows to one-half of the distance from the withers to ground. The ribs are well-sprung from the spine but are slightly above the elbows to one-half of the distance from the withers to ground. The ribs are well-sprung from the spine but are slightly rounded at the sides. Faults: Chest too broad, "barrel ribs," ribs too flat or weak.
Back The back is straight with a level topline from withers to croup. The length of the body from the sternum to the buttocks is an inch or two longer than the withers to the ground It may be neither cobby nor slack from being too long in the body. The loin is taut and lean, slightly narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck-up. The croup sloped away from the spine at an angle, but never so steeply as to restrict the rearward thrust of the hind legs. In profile, it is of medium length giving an almost square appearance. Faults: - Weak or slack back; roached back; sloping topline.
Hindquarters When standing and viewed from the rear, the hind legs are moderately spaced and parallel. The upper thighs are well-muscled, the stifles well-bent, the hock joint well-defined and set low to the ground. Dewclaws (if any) should be removed. The overall picture of the hindquarters should exhibit some degree of power as the Klee Kai was originally developed from working breeds of the Arctic regions. Faults: Too narrow or too wide in the rear. Major faults: Are Straight stifles and cowhocks.
Feet Oval in shape, but not long. The paws are small in size but not fragile looking, compact and well-furred between the toes and pad s. The pads are tough and thickly cushioned. The paws turn neither in nor out when dog is in natural stance. Faults: Soft or splayed toes, paws too large and clumsy, paws too fragile, toeing in or out.
Tail The tail should be moderately long with the tail bone terminating slightly longer than the hock when down, but at least long enough to curl over the back and still touch the back. It should be profusely covered with long hair. FAULT: A tail that flags only.
TESTICLES: Male dogs must have had, and have been able to retain both testicles in the scrotal sac unless there has been accidental damage causing the dog to lose one or more. This fact must have been documented by a Vet. Faults: A double hook or laying flat on the back. The judge should see the tail over the back at least once during competition.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: A tail that is not long enough to curl up to touch the back.
Gait The Klee Kai's characteristic gait is prancing or deerlike. The forelegs and hind legs are carried straight forward, with neither elbows nor stifles turned in or out. While the dog is gaiting, the topline remains firm and level. Faults: Lumbering or rolling gait; crossing, or crabbing.
In addition to the faults already noted, obvious structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Klee Kai as in any other breed, even though they are not specifically mentioned herein.
PUPPIES: Puppies are judged as closely to adult standards as possible. Unless the pup is a black and white it must be noted that Klee Kai puppies do not get their adult color until approximately six months of age. The density of the coat is not that of the adult for approximately one year. Occasionally the color under the eyes will show up at closer to one year old. The puppy's tail can change dramatically when the adult coat comes in. The mask; however, should be in place much earlier. Male puppies should have both testicles in the scrotal sac by six months of age.
