Choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle is as an important decision as bringing a dog into your life. Although every dog is individual and has a personality, each breed has particular traits. These traits can help you determine which breed will suit you and your lifestyle – ensuring a more harmonious home for you and your new pet.
The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Klee Kai are both wonderful dog breeds. The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Klee Kai are very similar in appearance, except the Siberian Husky is a medium size breed, and the Alaskan Klee Kai is a small breed. They both have a weather-resistant double coat and are extremely smart and energetic.
The Husky needs around 2 hours of daily exercise plus mental stimulation to keep them content. The Alaskan Klee Kai needs about an hour to an hour and a half of daily exercise and mental stimulation to satisfy them.
Let’s look at some breed traits to help you decide. These are general breed traits, and you should remember that breeding and life experiences will affect each dog differently.
Breed History for Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is one of 14 ancient dog breeds. The Chukchi tribe bred the Siberian Husky to pull sleds over long distances in harsh weather conditions. The Siberian Husky would work in teams to pull the sleds and sleep beside the children on cold nights to keep them warm.
Only the most social and playful Huskies would be used to breed, as cooperation and good natures were most important to the tribe. These traits are still found in today’s Siberian Husky.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new breed introduced in Alaska in the 1970s by Linda Spurlin and her family. The Alaskan Klee Kai comes from the Siberian Husky stock introduced to Alaska in the early 1900s. The Klee Kai was bred from this Husky stock as smaller companion dogs. The name Klee Kai means ‘little dog’ in Alaskan Athabaskan words.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a loving, energetic companion dog with the distinctive looks of the Husky. The Klee Kai is sometimes referred to as a miniature Husky. It has similar markings, intelligence, and traits to the Husky but is smaller in stature, has lower energy, and is more of a companion dog than the Husky.
Breed Specifications for Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky has a thick fluffy double coat, with colors ranging from white, sable and white, grey and white, agouti, black and white, and black. Upright pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes can be blue, brown, mixed brown, and blue. In addition, they have a fox brush tail which is often held high in a sickle curve but can also be held low and trailing.
The Siberian Husky is a medium size breed. The adult male Siberian Husky stands at 21-23.5 inches, with an ideal weight range of 45-60lbs (20-27kgs).
The adult female Siberian Husky stands at 20-22 inches, with an ideal weight range of 35-50lbs (16-23kgs).
The life expectancy for a healthy, well-cared-for Siberian Husky is 12-14 years.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai has a medium-length, fluffy weatherproof double coat. The colors are black and white; grey and white; red and white, with similar markings to the Husky. In addition, the Klee Kai has a wedge-shaped head, upright pointed triangular ears, and a loosely curled tail, showing its Husky heritage.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small-sized breed. The adult Alaskan Klee Kai can be 12-17 inches, with an ideal weight range of 6-25 lbs (3-11 kgs).
The life expectancy for a healthy, well-cared-for Alaskan Klee Kai is 13 – 16 years.
Common Breed Health Checks for Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky breed is generally pretty healthy; however, breeders should regularly have the dams and sires screened:
- Hip dysplasia (BVA/KC)
- Eye testing – PLA (gonioscopy) (BVA/KC/ISDS)
- Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is generally pretty healthy. Good breeders should regularly have the dams and sires screened:
- Patella Evaluation
- Factor VII DNA Test
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Cardiac Examination
Energy Levels for Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a bundle of energy with outstanding endurance! This dog is at its happiest when it’s running, exploring, and playing. It can run for hours and still have the energy to play. However, to keep a Siberian Husky content, it will need at least 2 hours of daily exercise and some mental stimulation.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a medium-high-energy companion dog. The Klee Kai enjoys outdoor activities such as exploring, running, hiking, and performance sports. However, the Klee Kai is just as happy to play fetch, walk for an hour, and relax on its owner’s lap.
The Trainability of Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a highly intelligent dog. It was bred to decide whether to follow instructions or not for the musher and team’s safety. This intelligence is still present in the Siberian Husky. Once you know what motivates your Siberian Husky, training and cooperation are easier. Most Siberian Huskies are not food motivated, and you must get creative.
The Siberian Husky learns quickly and easily; motivating them to follow instructions consistently can be tricky. Furthermore, the Siberian Husky is not a biddable animal; they are not interested in pleasing their human. High prey drive also means that recall isn’t 100% for most Siberian Huskies.
Alaskan Klee Kai
Like the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a highly intelligent and mischievous. It can be an escape artist if it doesn’t receive enough physical and mental stimulation. However, this intelligent dog enjoys learning, so plenty of positive reinforcement training will ensure it is mentally stimulated.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a loyal companion who thrives on being around its family or participating in agility and other performance sports. The Alaskan Klee Kai can also be trained as a therapy, support, and service dog. In addition, its keen sense of smell is handy for diabetic and gluten detection.
Friendliness of Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is friendly and cooperative with people and other dogs. They have never met strangers or dogs they didn’t want to play with. These were the main traits that the Chukchi looked for in their sled dogs.
The Siberian Husky loves children and being around children – they are pretty gentle. However, the Husky can get boisterous and accidentally knock down little children.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a sensitive, reserved, and cautious dog. It will bond with its family but be wary of strangers. Early socialization for people, other dogs, and places is advised to ensure your Klee Kai grows into a well-rounded pet.
A loyal and loving companion, the Alaskan Klee Kai is energetic and enjoys being with its family so that it can fit well with children. However, they are escape artists and can have a high prey drive, so careful training and an escape-proof fence are advised.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is human-focused and will need early socialization with other dogs. However, the Alaskan Klee Kai is happiest when working with its human.
Grooming and Shedding of Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky has a fluffy, luxurious double coat to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The fur has a protective layer that repels dirt and protects the skin, reducing the doggy odor that most other breeds have. In addition, the Siberian Husky is cat-like in its grooming, keeping its coat clean. As a result, they only need to be bathed a few times a year.
The Siberian Husky needs brushing regularly to keep the coat healthy. In addition, twice a year, the undercoat blows and requires daily brushing – there will be fur everywhere!
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai has a waterproof double coat. However, it will only require brushing weekly to keep the shedding hair under control and the coat clean. In addition, the Alaskan Klee Kai will only need a few baths throughout the year to keep them clean as they have a protective layer to repel dirt, like the Husky.
The Alaskan Klee Kai sheds throughout the year and will blow the undercoat twice yearly. During this blowout, the Alaskan Klee Kai will require extra daily brushing – there will be fur everywhere!
Barking for Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky doesn’t bark, as such. It does, however, huff, chuff, chatter, and howl – also known as singing. In addition, the Siberian Husky is known to chat and sing to their humans. Sometimes for no apparent reason, and other times to communicate their point in the conversation.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai may not bark as such. However, much like the Husky, they are vocal and like to communicate. The Alaskan Klee Kai is known to howl, yodel, growl, grumble, chirp, and purr to communicate with its family!
Overall Thoughts on Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky suits active outdoor people with lots of time for training and exercise. They enjoy running, hiking, and biking – independent dogs who like to think and work things out for themselves. However, the Siberian Husky isn’t for everyone, as the extensive training and lifestyle can be intense.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is versatile; it suits active people, families, and people who lead more sedate lives. It enjoys being around people and will happily settle down with you after a walk and game of fetch or go on a hike and a swim session before settling down.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a sensitive and curious dog, loyal to its family, and keen to learn and participate in activities. This intelligent dog can be taught to be a service dog, participate in performance sports or keep its family company.
If you like the look of a Husky but don’t have the space or energy for the athletic Husky and prefer companionship, the Alaskan Klee Kai might be for you.
For further breed-specific information, the Kennel Club UK and the American Kennel Club are excellent sources of information.
I hope you have found this article helpful.
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