Alaskan Klee Kai Breed Profile

Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, in appearance, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.

Eyes: Medium in size, almond, oval to open-oval in shape, and any color or combination of colors, with preference given to dark brown eyes. The eyes are set obliquely. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.

Ears: Ranging from fairly small (preferred) to moderately large in proportion to the head. Set fairly high on the skull, with the inner edge of each ear above the inner half of the eye below. They are triangles in shape with slightly rounded tips. They are held firmly erect. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.

Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad at the base but tapers smoothly toward the nose. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. Upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.

Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored according to the coat in liver-based varieties. Snow noses are permissible. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose may protrude just slightly beyond the vertical line of the end of the muzzle, or it may be flush with the vertical line of the end of the muzzle.

Neck: Moderately long length to allow for proud head carriage when standing. It is strongly muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, with a slight amount of loose skin at the throat area, but without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.

Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed without being excessively pronounced.

Body: Compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.

Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.

Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline or set just below the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually in a loose curl which may fall to the center or either side of the back. It is carried in a downward, neutral position when relaxed. It should never be tucked. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.

Movement: The gait is smooth and flowing with energetic, effortless, and efficient movements. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in a line with the nose. The width between the forefeet when extended should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.

Temperament: Like their Nordic ken, the Alaskan Klee Kai was bred from independently thinking dogs and carries on the same tradition. For this reason, they are known to be somewhat stubborn and develop their own ideas about things. However, they respond well to gentle training methods such as positive reinforcement and, if started early from puppyhood, eagerly learn their tasks with joy and ease. They are devoted and loving companions to their families, although they can be a bit aloof with strangers. When properly trained and socialized, they make wonderful companions. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.