07/17/2025
Big milestone forward for the breed’s pure breed status.
Klee Kai Joins Miscellaneous Class
We welcome the Alaskan Klee Kai into the AKC fold. This alert and mischievous companion became eligible to compete in Miscellaneous Class conformation events on June 25.
The Klee Kai has ancient roots descended from the native dogs that have populated Alaska for thousands of years. The Klee Kai stands no more than 17½ inches, with a medium-length double coat, a wedge-shaped head, and triangular ears.
“The Alaskan Klee Kai breed we see today was developed in Alaska from well-bred husky dogs by Linda Spurlin and her family starting in the early 1970s.
“Using a strict breeding program to select the somewhat smaller dogs with the type/look she envisioned that also met her high standards for health, structure, and temperament, she carefully developed a companion-sized version of the Alaska Husky with a very distinctive contrasting symmetrical facial mask and markings.”—AKKCA
Breed Standardhttps://lnews.akc.org/custloads/1045323955/breed-standard-revisions/20250529/official-standard.pdf
Alaskan Klee Kai Club of America https://www.akkcoa.org/
The July AKC GAZETTE is online for reading and downloadinghttps://images.akc.org/pdf/gazette/july-2025.pdf
Free Gazette subscription https://www.akc.org/subscribe/
Back issues https://www.akc.org/products-services/magazines/akc-gazette/
AKC Podcast “Northern Stars: Spitz-Type Dogs and the Story of Human-Canine Cooperation” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIwT14su3s&list=PLPfEv_pKgm7eKlYtGTtMNag4L1QAYaogi&index=7&t=1s
Gazette YouTube slideshow “Winter Carnival: Dogs Who Love Snow” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnqPI64V4wU
PHOTO: akc.org/©Theresa Garcia
