Alaskan Klee Kai

Small dog (5–10 kg), typically living 1316 years.

Typical adult weight

Males: 710 kg

Females: 59 kg

Individual pets vary. Body condition matters more than the number on the scales.

At a glance

Energy
Shedding
Grooming needs
Trainability
Barking / vocal
Good with children
Good with other pets
Heat tolerance

Typical lifespan

Median lifespan for a Alaskan Klee Kai is around 13.3 years, based on an estimate built from this breed's size, type and published lifespan range. Try our dog lifespan calculator for a figure adjusted to your own dog.

Life with a Alaskan Klee Kai

The Alaskan Klee Kai is an active breed that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay content. As a small dog (5–10 kg as an adult), it is reasonably easy to train with positive, reward-based methods, which matters most in the first year while good habits are being formed. It also can be quite vocal, especially if bored or under-exercised.

Coat care is a big part of day-to-day life with this breed: its coat benefits from a regular weekly brush to stay tidy, and it sheds quite heavily, so regular brushing helps keep hair off furniture and floors. Around the home, the Alaskan Klee Kai generally gets on fine with children who understand how to behave around dogs and usually settles in fine alongside other pets with proper introductions, though every individual dog is different and early, positive socialisation makes a real difference.

Weather is worth planning for too – this breed doesn't tolerate heat well and should be walked in the cooler parts of the day. Whatever your plans for exercise, feeding or budgeting, the tools below are pre-loaded with typical figures for the Alaskan Klee Kai so you can get a quick, personalised estimate.

Puppy growth chart

Estimated weight by age, based on an adult weight of around 7.8 kg (the midpoint of typical males and females) and a standard small-breed growth curve. Real puppies vary by ±15% or more.

Age% of adult weightExpected weight
12 weeks50%3.9 kg
16 weeks60%4.6 kg
26 weeks80%6.2 kg
39 weeks95%7.4 kg
52 weeks100%7.8 kg

Feeding guide by weight

Rough daily amounts for a neutered adult Alaskan Klee Kai of average activity, using the standard 70 × weight0.75 formula and a typical dry food energy density of 3600 kcal/kg. Always check the exact figure on your own food's packaging.

Body weightDaily caloriesRoughly dry food
5 kg374 kcal104 g
7.8 kg523 kcal145 g
10 kg630 kcal175 g

For a figure tailored to your dog's age, activity and neuter status, use the dog food calculator.

Daily exercise needs

As a working, sporting and herding breed-type dog, the Alaskan Klee Kai typically needs about 90120 minutes of exercise a day, split across one or two walks plus some off-lead time or play where possible.

Puppies, seniors and dogs recovering from illness need much less – see how much exercise does my dog need for a plan by age and health.

Estimated UK costs

Ongoing costs (food, insurance, routine vet care, flea/worm treatment, grooming and extras) for a Alaskan Klee Kai typically run to around £81–£110 a month, or roughly £12,150–£16,500 over an average 12.5-year lifetime, not including one-off costs like purchase price, neutering or equipment.

These figures are UK averages and will vary by region and lifestyle. See our cost-of-ownership guide for a full breakdown you can adjust yourself.

Health conditions to be aware of

Like all breeds, the Alaskan Klee Kai has its own set of conditions vets keep an eye out for. Knowing about them ahead of time means you can ask the right questions, consider health screening, and choose insurance cover that suits.

  • Luxating patella
  • Heart disease

A breed being prone to a condition does not mean your pet will get it. Ask your vet about screening and insurance.