Overview
The Alaskan Klee Kai was developed in the 1970s to look like a miniature husky, mixing Siberian and Alaskan Huskies with smaller spitz breeds. The result is a neat, fox-faced dog in three sizes, with the mask, curled tail and double coat of its larger relatives.
What it is not is a lapdog. Klee Kai are alert, agile and busy, and many are wary of people they do not know. A new walker is a stranger, so plan a gentle introduction and expect the dog to hang back for the first few visits.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two walks, with a chance to run in a secure space, keeps most adults happy. They are quick and nimble and enjoy agility-style games, chasing a ball and investigating every corner of a field.
The coat copes with cold and rain. They do not like heat much, so slow down on warm afternoons.
On the walk
- Escaping: Narrow heads slip collars and small bodies fit through gaps in hedges. A well-fitted harness and a check of any fence before you unclip are essential.
- Prey: Husky ancestry shows. Squirrels, cats and birds will trigger a chase, and the recall may evaporate. Treat open spaces as lead walks.
- Strangers: Shy to suspicious with unfamiliar people. Let the dog approach you, keep your hands low and never grab for it.
- Noise: A talkative breed. Expect howls, yips and complaints, especially when excited or left waiting at a gate.
Tips for professional walkers
- Bring a long line and use it in anything short of a fully fenced field.
- Do not chase a loose Klee Kai; it will run. Crouch, turn away and use the squeakiest toy you have.
- Keep the first meetings calm and short, and let the owner hand over the lead at home.
- Carry a brush in shedding season if the owner wants loose coat kept down.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever escaped from a harness, garden or field, and how did it happen?
- How does it react to new people, and how long does it usually take to accept someone?
- What is the recall like, and is there a particular toy or sound that brings it back?