Alaskan Klee Kai Facts – Wisdom Panel™ Dog Breeds

In the 1970s, a breeder named Linda Spurlin fell in love with a small Alaskan Husky. And she wasn’t alone. The dog captured the attention and affection of onlookers in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. Spurlin set out to create more dogs like it by breeding Alaskan Huskies with small Nordic breeds, such as the Schipperke and American Eskimo Dog.

Spurlin eventually developed a strict breed standard and began selling Klee Kai puppies to the public in 1987. Less than a decade later, the name was changed to Alaskan Klee Kai to honor their origins.

The AKC doesn’t recognize the Alaskan Klee Kai. But many other organizations—including the Federation of International Canines, the American Rare Breed Association, and the United Kennel Club—do. The Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America also helps maintain breed standards.