This breed was originally given the name of Klee Kai of Alaska, but it was changed to Alaskan Klee Kai in 1995. It is a new breed, developed exclusively as a companion animal. In the Inuit language, %lee kai’ means ‘little dog’.
This is a small, ‘apartment-sized’ version of the big, northern sled dogs, bred down from Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute ancestors, with Schipperke and American Eskimo crosses introduced to help reduce its size. It was the creation of one breeder, Linda Spurlin of Wasilla, Alaska. She started developing it in the early 1970s, but it was not until 1988 that she was sufficiently satisfied with her stock to allow examples to go to other breeders.
The Klee Kai was an immediate success and, by the end of the 20th century, there were estimated to be about 500 in existence, with owners scattered all over the United States. There are three sizes: the toy, at 13 in (33 cm) in height; the miniature, at 13-15 in (33-38 cm); and the standard at 15-17 in (38-43 cm). For comparison, its large ancestor, the Alaskan Malamute, is 23-25 in (58-63 cm) tall. Like its big relatives, it displays a striking face mask and an attractive coat pattern.
This is a lively little dog, described by its owners as curious, quick, energetic, proud, tenacious, intuitive and observant. It is very friendly with its own human family, but rather reserved with strangers. A cunning escape artist, it is a remarkably agile climber, an ability which can sometimes cause problems. It is also an active hunter, killing and eating rabbits, squirrels, mice, snakes and bugs, whenever the opportunity arises. If Klee Kai dogs are kept together in breeding kennels, they often enjoy group howling sessions, singing together early in the morning and late at night.
The Klee Kai National Kennel Club was formed in 1995, when a breed standard was established for the first time.
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