I have a AKK!
Afternoon Everybody, I'm new here, just thought I'd drop a note on here.
I am owned by an Alaskan Klee Kai. I live in the UK where they are even rarer than in the US.
Firstly can I just say that they are classed as a toy dog by the UKC, and they're 'use' is as a companion, definitely not working.. they have neither the build nor energy levels for that.
Linda Spurlin created this breed in the 70's from Sibes and smaller spitz like the German Spitz. This isn't a miniturisation of the Husky, which is a relief because mini-breeds tend to be full of health problems.. i.e. the size was not accomplished by breeding smaller and smaller huskies, but by combining huskies with other smaller breeds. Klee Kai's as yet have no characteristic illnesses as other dogs, mainly no doubt due to the fact that there genetic make-up was so recently created from a healthy mix of many different dog types.
Anyway, just as someone earlier said in this forum, it was out of the wish to have a husky companion but realising my living conditions would not allow me to meet a huskies demands in what I would consider a responsible manner, that led me to this breed.
Appreance wise they are very husky-like, and obviously walking down the street I get plenty of husky owners stopping to ask about him 'he's a puppy isn't he?' they are quite surprised to learn he's now fully grown (one and a half years old). However their behaviour seems to be more inherited from the toy and companion dogs in their genetic make-up. I can reliably let him off the lead (in parks with no open access to roads obviously) and he is reasonably obeidient.. he does have some of the spitz general temprement though, I can't deny.. he can be competitive with other dogs of the same sex for example.. his voice is also typically spitz. Exercise wise he has very reasonable needs, he has a half hour walk every day and longer ones at weekend and that is plenty for him to spend hours curled up asleep next to the radiator.. Shedding wise he is also distinctly Husky.. and that would be my main note of caution to anyone who wants one... twice a year moulting may sound ok.. but it takes half a year to clean all the hair from every nook and cranny in the house!
I would have to say that anyone who wants to own a Sibe but can't provide the space, exercise and security neccessary for these lovely dogs could consider a Klee Kai. I don't breed them myself, and I don't know any breeders (apart from the one I got my pup from obviously) but you can find them on the web.. AKK owners a little community and will help anyone interested.
My little guy is a healthy standard size (about the same as a finnish laphund) which is just small enough for my lap but not so small I have to worry about treading on him!