Alaskan Klee Kai Breed Guide: Size, Temperament, History and Adoption
Klee Kai history and origins
Linda Spurlin and her family created the Alaskan Klee Kai in Alaska, aiming for a companion-sized relative of the northern spitz-type dog often called the Alaskan Husky. The Spurlins chose dogs for appearance and soundness over many years, and then offered the breed to others. The breed began as the Klee Kai, and the name was later extended to show where it came from. The United Kennel Club has recognized the breed, while the AKC lists it in its Miscellaneous Class, which is not full AKC recognition.
How big do Alaskan Klee Kai get?
The UKC intends the Alaskan Klee Kai to remain a small to medium-sized dog, shown in toy, miniature and standard varieties. For the Alaskan Klee Kai toy size, the UKC standard allows up to and including 13 inches, with the miniature variety over 13 up to and including 15 inches and the standard variety over 15 up to and including 17 inches. Overall height differs by publisher: the AKC publishes 12 - 17 inches, while the UKC's variety limits run up to 17 inches, with 17.5 inches a serious fault threshold. The AKC publishes a weight of 6 - 25 lbs and places the breed in its medium size category.
Alaskan Klee Kai temperament
The AKC describes the breed's temperament as loyal, intelligent and vigilant. The UKC calls these dogs curious, intelligent, active, quick and agile. They tend to be devoted to their owners but may be aloof with strangers and territorial despite their small size. The AKC's general breed ratings put stranger openness low and dog compatibility high.
Activity and training
The AKC's general ratings place the breed in the middle of its scale for energy, mental enrichment and trainability.
Alaskan Klee Kai shedding and coat care
The coat is double, and the AKC lists it as medium length. The AKC's general ratings put both shedding and grooming frequency in the middle of its scale. The UKC says a lack of undercoat during the shedding season is normal, and that trimming is limited to the hair between the pads and around the feet.
Alaskan Klee Kai lifespan
For Alaskan Klee Kai life expectancy and life span, the AKC gives a general figure of 13-16 years.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Alaskan Klee Kai as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC Miscellaneous Class (not full AKC recognition)
- Miscellaneous Class
- Height (AKC published)
- 12 - 17 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 6 - 25 lbs
- General life expectancy
- 13-16 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 3 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 3 of 5
- Playfulness: 3 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 3 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 1 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 5 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Cardiac Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Factor VII DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Alaskan Klee Kai | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
- Alaskan Klee Kai - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
