It all started a little over 5 years ago. I really, really wanted a small dog. My husband really, really wanted a husky. So... the husband said that if I could find a small husky then I could get a dog! And that's when I started the long search and I found the Alaskan Klee Kai!
My three girls - Starbuck, Nari and Alpha!
A lot of people refer to the Alaskan Klee Kai (AKK) as a miniature husky. There are actually 3 sizes - toys (under 13" tall at the withers), miniature (13-15" tall) and standard (15-17" tall).
The AKK started in the 70's and was recognized in 1997 by the United Kennel Club (still not an AKC breed). Their origin is from the working huskies in Alaska, along with Schipperkes and Eskimos. They used these smaller breeds to bring down the size of the husky without using dwarfism. And they retained the structure of the husky so that these little guys are still working dogs with HIGH energy levels (which a lot of people don't understand, these little guys love to have a job to be happy!)
Yep, they are tiny! Here is 8 week old baby Alpha - all 2 pounds of her!
The AKK started in the 70's and was recognized in 1997 by the United Kennel Club (still not an AKC breed). Their origin is from the working huskies in Alaska, along with Schipperkes and Eskimos. They used these smaller breeds to bring down the size of the husky without using dwarfism. And they retained the structure of the husky so that these little guys are still working dogs with HIGH energy levels (which a lot of people don't understand, these little guys love to have a job to be happy!)
Here you can tell how small these guys are. If I don't have a size reference in the picture
a lot of people think that they are full size huskies.
Most people think my dogs are husky puppies and don't believe me when I say they are full grown :) Kind of funny when people think they know more about your dogs then you do!
Starbuck and her super strong dad, Loki!
A lot of people joke about how they must pull little sleds - but these little guys can pull A LOT! My dogs' dad competes in weight pull competitions and he has pulled around 700 lbs on rails! Yep 700 pounds!!
Nari and I running in the Grand Prix finals at 2012 Cynosport World Games.
You can see how small she is.
My dogs have a lot of jobs to do to keep them busy. They work out just like people do :) They love to do tricks. Starbuck has competed in flyball. And of course they do agility!!
Okay, just one more agility pictures. Grand Prix semis at the 2011 Cynosport World Games.
I think they are just awesome little dogs. Starbuck is actually the first dog I've ever owned so I guess I am biased because it's the only breed I've ever owned :)
Well, hope you guys enjoyed my little overview of the AKK. Oh, and one more thing - the plural of Alaskan Klee Kai is.... Alaskan Klee Kai!!
Anymore questions out there? I'd love to answer them :)
Hope everyone has a great week!
Thanks for the background. We think the Alaskan Klee Kai is a beautiful dog, but of course, we do have a bit of a bias:) You have done so many great things with your dogs and it is obvious how much you love them. There are small huskies out there if you think 35-40 lbs. is small, but it is really hard to tell from a puppy how big they will get. Mom wishes she could do agility with one of us but she has bad bones and can't risk falling. We will just have to enjoy the fun through you and your talented pups.
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That is soooo cool! I would love to see a small team (no pun intended!! BOL!) of you guys pulling a sled! Maybe Santa should get away from smelly poopy raindeers and use you adorable guys! Oh yes, we're on to something!!
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