The Siberian Husky is widely known and has been for quite some time. But there is another breed that is gaining some traction hailing from the north, and its name is the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Being among the most recent inclusions in the American Kennel Clubâs list of standardized breeds, the Alaskan Klee Kai (or AKK) hit official recognition in 2020.
Though AKKs are of Siberian Husky descent, there are several noteworthy differences between the two breeds despite their similarities in appearance.
Here is the Alaskan Klee Kai Vs. Siberian Husky Comparison
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Alaskan Klee Kai History
In the world of dog breeds, the Alaskan Klee Kai is among relatively new breeds of dogs to hit the scene. This particular breed was developed in the early 1970s by a woman named Linda Spurlin, along with her family.
The Klee Kai is a culmination of American Eskimo Dogs, many of whom were also descendants of the Siberian Husky. However, the goal of this selective breeding was to create a pup who shared a similar look to the Husky lines but aimed toward a more reliable temperament, more compact size, and fewer health issues.
In all, there are three different sizes available for this breed- Toy, Miniature, and Standard. They are adaptable to a variety of lifestyles be it apartment life, house with a small yard, or grand estates.
For years the AKK was classified as a rare dog breed and made several lists compiled by entities such as the American Rare Breed Association.
The low numbers launched the Alaskan Klee Kai National Rescue Inc, created to help advance this breed out from the waters of extinction.
Through these efforts and since becoming a recognized breed by the United Kennel Club back in the 1990s, their numbers and popularity have grown exponentially around the world.
Alaskan Klee Kai Size
Toy Sizeâ Up to 12 pounds and standing about 13â tall.
Miniature Sizeâ Up to 18 pounds and stands around 15â tall.
Standard Sizesâ Up to 25 pounds and measures up to 17â at the shoulder.
The Alaskan Klee Kai doesnât look that different from a Siberian Husky. Even its thick coat resembles that of the Husky, making it able to withstand extreme weather, and does require daily brushing.
It does have a slightly different pattern about the facial mask, as well as a more âraccoonâ look to the muzzle.
This is a healthy breed, suffering from fewer hereditary issues than other breeds. However, this doesnât remove the AKK from all health concerns, just fewer than others. ( credits )
Alaskan Klee Kai Temperament
The Alaskan Klee Kai Club of America describes the breed as an intelligent dog, vigilant and loyal. This breed wasnât developed for sport or work, but is widely considered a companion dog or is also referred to as a designer dog.
These dogs generally get along great with other dogs and are also good with children- overall, they make for a great pet. But when it comes to strangers, they often become aloof or untrusting. Itâs important to work this out through training starting at an early age.
When it comes to an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy, obedience training is important regardless of the breedâs size be it a standard or its other smaller forms.
Small dog syndrome will run its course when allowed to with the AKK and should be curbed as soon as possible (which is true with many smaller dogs).
Exercise Requirements of the Alaskan Klee Kai
One of the results of the creation of this breed is the dialing back of energy levels when compared to their Husky roots. Again, itâs not a working breed but a companion, so it doesnât require as much exercise to stay fit and happy.
Bear in mind- not as much exercise as a Husky doesnât by any means qualify the AKK as a lazy dog. It does have a moderate deal of energy with exercise needs that must be met.
Theyâd be happy to accompany owners on a walk, jog, hike, or make new friends at the local dog park. Regular exercise will keep this breed healthy and happy.
Alaskan Klee Kai Price:
Alaskan Klee Kai usually costs between $1800 and $3000Â from reputable breeders in the United States.
About the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky has had a long time to develop into the breed that is ranked amongst the most popular breeds out there today. They were originally bred to be working and hunting dogs, that were also utilized to pull dogsleds across the frigid Siberian snowscape.
However, since the breed hit the mainstream as a pet, reputable breeders carefully made sure to keep the bloodlines and inherent high standards of the breed as pure as possible.
This caused the breed to become a more rounded breed, as opposed to the Alaskan Husky, who continued to be bred for sled pulling and other jobs.
Today, Siberian Huskies are more prone to family life and enjoy dog sports rather than slaving to the grind.
Siberian Size And Weight
The Siberian Husky breed has only one standard size. They average out at 24â at the shoulder and can weigh up to 60 pounds. Their life expectancy is about 14 years, and they are considered to be relatively healthy dogs.
Their thick double coat, tenacity, and power served this breed well in the 1800s and early 1900s making them perfect sled dogs. Being smaller and more agile than their larger cousins the Alaskan Malamute, they soon dominated the sled dog scene and excelled in sled dog racing.
Their coats come in a variety of colors and color combinations that requires regular brushing and they can wind up with light blue, green, or brown eyes. Some can even have a combination of eye colors- one eye blue and the other green or brown.
Siberian Husky Temperament
According to the American Kennel Club, the Siberian Husky is deemed loyal, outgoing, and mischievous. They are pack animals to a certain degree and are often good with other dogs.
Pack dogs often donât like being left alone over long periods and may become anxious; such is true with the Husky. Separation anxiety can come quickly with this breed.
Small animals should be on the lookout though, as Huskies often will opt to chase them due to an intact prey drive.
Theyâre good-natured with small children and are extremely affectionate with all family members. Training from a young age would be best with this breed to help make sure itâs well behaved and a bit more careful around the house.
Exercise Requirements of the Siberian Husky
This is a very high-energy breed, that requires a couple of hours of exercise per day. With enough of this high energy level expelled, the Husky will be less prone to get itself into trouble around the house.
Itâs a smart dog, who can tend to get itself into some mischief when not given the right amount of exercise. Taking long walks, jogs, or some intense playtime that involves a lot of running (fetch for example) would serve this breed well.
Key Differences between the Alaskan Klee Kai and Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are larger than Klee Kai Dogs
Comparing the standard-sized AKK against the standard-sized Siberian Husky, they are both loosely considered medium-sized dogs. That notwithstanding, they are both on opposite sides of the spectrum- literally.
The maximum average weight for a male Alaskan Klee Kai is 20 pounds, and the max average for a male Siberian Husky is 60 pounds.
These numbers are the minimum and the maximum weights for what is considered to be medium-sized breeds. So, when standing next to each other the AKK is the âlittle dogâ between the two.
Coat Color and Color Combination Variety
Huskies can come in 9 standardized different colors or color combinations, whereas the AKK only has 3 standard color combinations. Because of this, the AKK can look like a Husky in any of their main color combinations, but Huskies can have coats that differ from that of the AKK.
Huskies are generally more friendly and outgoing to just about everyone, enough so that they make lousy guard dogs because theyâd rather make friends with new people rather than chase them away.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is far more aloof with strangers and tends to make them good watchdogs as a result.
Different Energy Levels mean Different Behavior
Huskies are famous for being escape artists when left to their own devices in a penned-in yard. Theyâll tirelessly do all to figure out how to escape and chase after the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
The Alaskan Klee Kai, on the other hand, will be much quicker to give up, and wonât dedicate nearly as much energy to attempting to escape.
Similarities Between the Breeds
They have a similar look â It doesnât stretch the imagination for an adult AKK to be mistaken by a casual onlooker for a young Husky (and also Mini Huskies). Their physical features and also their coat colors can make it very easy to get the two mixed up.
Health Problems- Unfortunately, Health problems count toward similarities, as they can suffer from many of the same ailments.
Juvenile cataracts, liver disease, factor VII deficiency, pyometra, patellar luxation, cryptorchidism, cardiac issues, and thyroid diseases, can occur in either of these breeds, though some are more common than others between the two breeds.
Aside from their looks and health concerns, there arenât any notable similarities between the two breeds, as their temperaments, exercise requirements, and overall approaches to life are different. They are not similar breeds at all.
Final Thoughts
Despite their similarities, these are two different breeds that were established with different purposes in mind. Alaskan Klee Kai is often confused with Mini Huskies due to the similarities in appearance and being a smaller breed.
However, the temperament of Miniâs is extremely similar to the standard-sized Husky. Both of which differ from that of the AKK.
The point is, if youâre looking for a smaller-sized Husky that isnât as high-strung as the original article, itâs a good idea to make sure that you get your AKK from a reputable breeder, as theyâre less energetic dogs.
If you want a Husky thatâs smaller but retains all of the same temperamental qualities of the Siberian Husky, get a Mini, again, from a reputable breeder, rather than the dialed-back Alaskan Klee Kai breed.
RELATED QUESTIONS:
Alaskan Husky
Alaskan Huskies are a different breed than the Siberian, due to them being mixed with other breeds to create a more refined working-class dog in the United States around the 1910s.
Because they are seen as a mixed breed without a strong set of breed standards, they are not recognized as their own breed by most kennel clubs.
Miniature Husky
Literally speaking, a Miniature Husky is a Siberian Husky. The difference is that standard-sized Huskies that leaned toward the small side were bred with others of the same size consistently until it became incorporated as a repeatable piece of the Mini Husky genetic makeup.
Therefore, there is no set apart breed for Mini Huskies, as theyâre simply small size Siberian Huskies.
