Husky Klee Kai Dog Breed

There seems to be a number of guesses why Husky Klee Kais were produced, and they tend to regard size, coat color and temperament. On this is for sure, however: they were not bred to be sled dogs or working animals. They are most likely bred to be companions. They may be cute, but they are high-maintenance dogs that are not good for people getting their first dog, or even people with only a little bit of dog experience. They do well enough with bigger kids, and they are great with other dogs — although you must be careful lest they become a pack!

Here are some more facts and info on these dogs:

PROS

• Very loyal
• Few health issues
• May be easy to train
• Smaller than Huskies
• Superb for active people
• Can be a good watchdog
• Great for cold, snowy places

CONS

• May bark a lot
• Not hypoallergenic
• Very heavy shedders
• Obesity can occur easily
• Not good in hot climates
• Extremely strong prey drive
• Require lots of daily exercise
• Might not be a good watchdog
• May have some dog-aggression
• Cannot ever be let off leash or otherwise unrestrained
• Can be aloof toward strangers and even acquaintances

The two Spitze-type dogs used to produce the Husky Klee Kai are very alike in many ways. Because of this, it's easy to understand the basics of a Husky Klee Kai mix. What's not understood is why these dogs would be produced, as Klee Kais, while a purebred dog, come from Huskies and are essentially smaller versions of them. Mating a Klee Kai with Husky won't make a smaller dog unless the Husky used is a Mini or Toy Husky, which are not purebred dogs.

Regardless, both parent dogs are extremely smart. They tend to not rate very high on certain dog intelligence lists because such lists tend to base results on trainability rather than true intelligence. On their own, Husky Klee Kais can figure things out and are sharp enough to keep such discoveries hidden from you!

Your Husky Klee Kai cross might be always looking to make new friends with everyone, or she may be shy and aloof around even those she somewhat knows. You also shouldn't mistake their stubbornness for a lack of loyalty, for they know what they want and sometimes it's not the same thing you want!

Just like their parents, a Husky Klee Kai will be ready to romp, play, and run for a long time on a daily basis. Left to their own devices, however, they may also choose to nap most the day.

There are many types of Husky Klee Kai variations. The Klee Kai is a very new breed, and while they are small, there are people who want even smaller versions of these dogs. Kais, which were produced to be companion animals rather than working dogs of the Husky type, can be made even smaller by crossing them with a Mini Husky. Color and heft are also reasons people apparently cross these dogs.

Huskies have just one type of coat: thick and double-layered. Klee Kais, however, have two coat styles: fully coated (which is long and fluffy) and standard (like a Husky). One of these styles is most likely to occur in a Husky Klee Kai. Either can occur regardless of the Klee Kai parent's coat type. As purebred Huskies tend to be slim, a Klee Kai can help to give some heft to this hybrid dog's profile.

Huskies have just the one coat color of black and white. Klee Kais have four colors: Pure white (which is rare as well as discouraged by breed clubs); black and white; gray and white; and red (or reddish) and white. Although eye color is not a variation, eye color does affect the price nearly as much as size and coat color.

Size is perhaps the biggest reason that Husky Klee Kais are produced. Huskies come in one basic size, and then there are the Minis and Toy Huskies (which are not purebred) and the three variations of Klee Kai: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. With all these varieties, it can make for a wide range of size types that these dog can come in. The Klee Kai Mini Husky may be one of the most popular sizes.

Huskies have few heritable diseases and yet are sometimes susceptible to typical big dog problems. Klee Kais, being a new breed that started out as an intentionally produced hybrid as late as the 1970s, remain under observation regarding the breed's health profile. Because Kais came from crossing Huskies and other breeds, hybrid vigor may not be as strong as when crossing two wholly separate dog breeds.

Here is a list of health concerns that can affect Husky Klee Kais:

• Pyometra
• Liver disease
• Hip dysplasia
• FVII Deficiency
• Cryptorchidism
• Thyroid disease
• Heart problems
• Patellar luxation
• Juvenile cataracts
• Autoimmune Thyroditis
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

The average lifespan of the Husky Klee Kai is believed to be around 12 to 15 years