Alaskan Klee Kai are
loyal, intelligent, vigilant and they are in the Foundation Stock Service.
HEIGHT:
12 - 17 inches.
WEIGHT:
6 - 25 lbs.
LIFE EXPECTANCY:
13-16 years.
Coat type: Double.
Coat length: Medium.
Standard colors: Black & White, Gray & white, Red & white.
General Appearance: The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small sized companion dog that is alert, energetic, and curious, yet reserved with unfamiliar people and situations. The body is well proportioned, with a level topline and a length slightly longer than height. The gait is smooth, agile, and well balanced. The wedge-shaped head, erect triangle shaped ears, well furred double coat, and loosely curled tail reflect its arctic heritage. The most distinctive characteristic of the Alaskan Klee Kai is the contrasting symmetrical facial mask and body markings. This standard is the description of the ideal Alaskan Klee Kai. Any deviation from this description is considered a fault, the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in proportion to the extent of the deviation. Faults common to all breeds are as undesirable to the Alaskan Klee Kai as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned in this standard. Size, Proportion, Substance: Size – Alaskan Klee Kai height is 12 to 17 inches at the withers. Disqualifications- over 17 1⁄2 inches in height. Proportion – In profile, the length of the body, from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, is slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the withers, making the dog slightly longer than tall. Substance – Weight and bone are in proportion to the overall dog.
Head: Expression is alert, keen, and intelligent. Eyes are of medium size and may be any color or combination of colors. Almond-shaped eyes are the most desirable, followed in order of preference by oval and then round. The eyes are moderately spaced, not set too wide or too close together. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have eye rims that are black; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white have eye rims that are liver/brown colored. Serious Faults- Bulging eyes; Eyes set too deep. Disqualification- Partial or completely black eye rims on dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white. Ears are strongly erect and triangle in shape with slightly rounded tips. They are set high yet well apart and are slightly large in proportion to the size of the head. The leather is thick from base to tip and well furred. The ears are extremely mobile and reactive. Disqualifications- Hanging or drop ears. Skull is slightly rounded and somewhat broad, neither too flat nor too domed. It tapers gradually from the widest point to the eyes. The stop is moderate and slightly sloping. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, and it is neither too narrow nor too thick. The skull and muzzle taper toward the nose to form a broad-based wedge shape. Muzzle tapers slightly from the stop to the nose, with a straight bridge, and is well filled in under the eyes. The lower jaw is strong but not protruding. The length of the muzzle from stop to nose is equal to, or slightly shorter than, the length of the skull from occiput to stop. Lips are tight. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have black lip color; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white, have liver/brown lip color.
Faults- Pinched or snipy muzzle. Disqualification- Partial or completely black lips on dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white. Nose in profile, is on the same line as the top of the muzzle and extends just slightly beyond the lower jaw. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have a nose that is black; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white have a nose that is liver/brown colored. A streaked "snow nose" is less desirable, but acceptable. Disqualification- Partial or completely black nose on dog with coat colors in shades of red with white. Bite - Strong white evenly aligned teeth close in a tight scissors bite. Fault- level bite. Disqualifications- Overshot or undershot bite; wry mouth.
Neck, Topline and Body: Neck is medium in length, arched and carried proudly erect when the dog is standing. When moving at a trot, the neck is extended so that the head is carried slightly forward. Body is moderately muscled with a level topline from the withers to the croup. Chest is muscular and moderately broad with a slightly pronounced prosternum clearly defined between the points of the shoulders. The lowest point of the chest does not extend below the elbows and is just behind the forelegs. Ribs are well sprung, forming a strong back, then curving down and inward to form a body that would be nearly heart-shaped if viewed in cross-section. Loin is strong and short, narrower than the rib cage, and has a slight tuck-up. Croup is broad and very slightly sloping. Tail is well furred and set on or just slightly below the level of the topline. The tail is carried in a loose, natural curl which falls to the center of the back or drapes down against either side when the dog is alert or moving. When the tail is curled, it does not stand away from the back or sides of the body. When the dog is relaxed, the tail may hang down. Disqualifications- Kinked tail; Tail too short to naturally curl over and touch the back.
Forequarters: Angulation - The forequarters are well angulated. Shoulders are well laid back to allow for good reach and freedom of movement. The shoulder blade and upper arm are approximately equal in length. Forelegs, when viewed from the front, are straight, parallel, and moderately spaced with bone in proportion to the dog, appearing neither fragile nor heavy. Elbows are set close to the body and turned neither in nor out. The length of the leg from the ground to the elbow is slightly longer than the length from the elbow to the withers. Pasterns are flexible and strong, moderately short, and slightly angled. Dewclaws removal is optional. Feet are oval in shape, yet not long. The
paws are sized in proportion to the bone of the individual dog and turn neither in nor out. The toes are well arched. The pads are thickly cushioned and furred between the toes and pads. Fault - Splayed feet.
Hindquarters: Angulation - The hindquarters are well angulated. Hind legs, when viewed from the rear, are moderately spaced and parallel, turning neither in nor out. The bone is in proportion to the dog, appearing neither fragile nor heavy. Upper thighs are moderately muscled. Stifles are well bent. Hock joints are well let down. Pasterns are straight. Dewclaws removal is optional. Feet are as described in forequarters. Serious Faults- Over angulation; Under angulation of stifles or hocks.
Coat: The Alaskan Klee Kai is double coated with the hair being medium length, giving a well-furred appearance reminiscent of the breed's Arctic heritage. The coat is never so long as to obscure the outline of the dog. The outer coat guard hairs are straight and somewhat smooth lying, never harsh nor extremely soft. The dense, soft undercoat is of sufficient length to support the outer coat. The absence of an undercoat should not be penalized during shedding season. The neck is well-furred with hair which forms a protective ruff blending into the coat. The tail is also well-furred with longer hair at the base and underside of the tail. Serious faults- Coat that is so long as to obscure the outline of the body. The Alaskan Klee Kai is shown in its natural state and the only trimming permissible is around the foot area to present a clean/neat appearance. Any trimming of the whiskers, or the fur on any other part of the dog, is to be severely penalized.
Color: The Alaskan Klee Kai has symmetrical and distinctive dark and white contrasting-colored markings. The three allowable coat colors are in shades of black, gray or red.
• White is required on all coat colors in the following areas: inside the ears, on the lower portion of the face and jaw, on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, on the throat, on the chest, on the abdomen, on the legs, on the feet, around the vent and on the underside of the tail.
• The darker coat color extends down the sides of the body, shoulders, and hips. It may also extend partially down the outside of the forelegs and hindlegs, and/or reach down and around the upper chest in a symmetrical pattern
• The darker coat color extends down the top side of the tail. It is preferred that the tip of the tail is the same dark color or darker.
The facial mask is a distinctive trait of this breed and must be symmetrical and clearly visible due to the contrasting colors. Different combinations of markings are possible on the mask, ranging from the full mask (described below) which is the most desirable, to the color going down the top/bridge of the muzzle having a symmetrical split, where a narrow white colored strip evenly divides the dark colored strip, which is less desirable, to the widow's peak which is the least desirable. The acceptable masks can have any combination of markings as long as they are symmetrical and have the contrasting white color prominent in the areas listed above. Absence of the darker color forward of the ears is to be considered as having no mask at all.
The full mask is the most desired for the Alaskan Klee Kai. It includes the dark coloration on the head extending continuously down the top/bridge of the muzzle to the nose, and also under or around the eyes. The darker color below the eyes does not extend more than a quarter way down the cheek. The darker color down the top/bridge of the muzzle does not extend more than a quarter of the way off the sides of the muzzle. The color going down the top/bridge of the muzzle is solid. White colored markings above the eyes completes the most desired full mask.
Serious Faults - Darker color below the eyes extending more than halfway down the cheek; Darker color down the top/bridge of the muzzle extending more than halfway off the sides of the muzzle.
Disqualifications -
• Asymmetrical markings;
• Absence of distinct mask;
• Any solid coat color lacking distinct and contrasting markings;
• Absence of required white contrasting color as described in the color section;
• Distinct dark area, spots or speckles in the white areas, other than the tip of the tail, and the
symmetrical markings on the facial mask, chest, and legs as described;
• Distinct white area or spots in the dark areas, other than the tip of the tail, and the symmetrical
markings on the facial mask, chest, and legs as described
Gait: The characteristic gait of the Alaskan Klee Kai is seemingly effortless, smooth, agile, and well balanced, with neither crossing nor crabbing. It has good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters with the top line remaining firm and level. Shown on a loose lead at a moderately fast trot, the dog will single track as their speed increases and their legs gradually angle inward until the pads are falling on a line directly under the longitudinal center of the body, single tracking. The forelegs and hind legs are carried straight forward, with neither the elbows nor stifles turning in or out.
Temperament: The Alaskan Klee Kai is intelligent, alert, curious and talkative. They enjoy being physically and mentally challenged and have an energetic eagerness to participate in a broad array of activities. A perceptive yet mischievous nature, and an adaptability to most lifestyles, make them a loving and devoted companion. The Alaskan Klee Kai has a sensitive and reserved nature so positive reinforcement and proper socialization from an early age is important.
Faults:
• Pinched or snipy muzzle;
• Level bite;
• Splayed feet.
Serious Faults:
• Bulging eyes;
• Eyes set too deep;
• Over angulation;
• Under angulation of stifles or hocks;
• Coat that is so long as to obscure the outline of the body;
• Darker color below the eyes extending more than halfway down the cheek;
• Darker color down the top/bridge of the muzzle extending more than halfway off the sides of the muzzle.
Disqualifications:
• Over 17 1⁄2 inches in height;
• Partial or completely black eye rims, lips, or nose on dog with coat colors in shades of red with white;
• Hanging or drop ears;
• Overshot or undershot bite;
• Wry mouth;
• Kinked tail;
• Tail too short to naturally curl over and touch the back;
• Asymmetrical markings;
• Absence of distinct mask;
• any solid coat color lacking distinct and contrasting markings;
• Absence of required white contrasting color as described in color section;
• Distinct dark area, spots or speckles in the white areas, other than the tip of the tail, and the symmetrical
markings on the facial mask, chest, and legs as described;
• Distinct white area or spots in the dark areas, other than the tip of the tail, and the symmetrical markings
on the facial mask, chest, and legs as described.
Severely Penalized: The Alaskan Klee Kai is shown in its natural state and the only trimming permissible is around the foot area to present a clean/neat appearance. Any trimming of the whiskers, or the fur on any other part of the dog is to be severely penalized.
About the Breed:
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small-sized companion dog that is alert, energetic, and curious, yet reserved with unfamiliar people and situations.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small sized companion dog with a smooth, agile, and well-balanced gait, a body that is well proportioned with a level topline and a length slightly longer than height. The wedge-shaped head, erect triangle shaped ears, well furred double coat in three symmetrical contrasting color varieties, and a loosely curled tail reflect its arctic heritage.
History:
The Alaskan Klee Kai have ancient roots descending from the numerous native dogs which have populated Alaska for thousands of years. Many of these dogs became not only loving family pets, but in the harsh environment of Alaska, were crucial for survival for the tribal groups and nomadic people. They excelled at pulling sleds, hiking, hunting, tracking, and were early warning alerts for dangers such as wild animals or enemies approaching. One of the largest groups of native dogs that make up the base of what became known as the Alaskan Husky type of dog are the Alaskan Interior Village dogs. Husky lines from Siberia, which were imported to Alaska in the early 1900s, were added to much of this hearty dog population as dog sled racing started to grow. They developed an intelligent, vigorous, and hardworking dog, with a happy nature.
The Alaskan Klee Kai breed we see today was developed in Alaska from these well-bred husky dogs by Linda Spurlin and her family starting in the early 1970s. Using a strict breeding program to select the somewhat smaller dogs with the type/look she envisioned that also met her high standards for health, structure and temperament, she carefully developed a companion-sized version of the Alaska Husky with a very distinctive contrasting symmetrical facial mask and markings. Much like their ancestors, the Alaskan Klee Kai is adaptable to multiple lifestyles, traveling, hiking, sports, entertainment, therapy and service, and most importantly, a loving companion dog for all ages.