How Much Does an Alaskan Klee Kai Cost?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Klee Kai of Alaska is a dog breed that closely resembles the Husky. It is a new and very rare breed; it is also called Dwarf Husky. As a pet this dog is great. It is smart and can be raised in an apartment. The breed was bred in 1970 by Linda S. Spurlin of Wasilla, Alaska. She wanted to make a smaller breed of Husky. His original name was Klee Kai of Alaska later changed to Alaska Klee Kai. Klee Kai means “little dog”.

How Much Does an Alaskan Klee Kai Cost?

The average cost of an Alaskan Klee Kai is anywhere between $1,550 and $2,550.  Costs can go up to $6,000 for dogs with pedigree and champion bloodlines.

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new breed of dog, but it’s gaining momentum in the pet industry. The reason for this sudden popularity could be attributed to its parent breeds – the Alaskan and Siberian Huskies.

Alaskan Klee Kai cost is affected by some factors such as:

• the showing quality or the breeding will be more expensive because of the physical characteristics of the dog and the inherited genes from the purebred parents;
• the degree of belonging to a certain bloodline, puppies with a pedigree will be more expensive;
• maintenance and care costs that may or may not contain the travel cost, the registration certificates, and the medical needs such as the initial vaccination shots;
• the certain requirements of the buyer may result in a higher cost.

Some may have doubts about the authenticity of their would-be pet because they are not yet registered with the AKC. Though this breed is registered at the United Kennel Club (UKC) and for those of you who are wondering how the United Kennel Club handles registration certificates, they’re just as reputable in handing out registered status as the American Kennel Club.

The cost of Alaskan Klee Kai puppies depends on the breeder

The price of an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy can vary based on factors such as the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s lineage, and the breeder’s geographical location.

The price range for an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy is typically between $1,500 and $3,000. This range is considered standard for puppies from reputable breeders. The current median price for all Alaskan Klee Kai for sale is $1,600.

For puppies with champion bloodlines and pedigrees, the prices can significantly increase, reaching up to $5,900 – $6,000. Such high prices are usually for puppies that have a distinct lineage and are expected to have certain desirable traits or appearances.

It is advised to be cautious if you find an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy advertised for less than $1,000 or more than $3,000, as these could potentially be scams. Extreme pricing is often a red flag in the dog breeding market, especially on the lower end.

It’s important to note that these prices are influenced by the demand for the breed, the Alaskan Klee Kai breeder, the specific characteristics of the puppy, such as coat color, eye color, etc., and the location. Additionally, it’s essential to research and choose a reputable breeder to ensure the health and well-being of the puppy.

Alaskan Klee Kai breed information

Linda Spurlin is credited with the development of the Alaskan Klee Kai during the 1970s in Wasilla, Alaska. She aimed to create a smaller companion dog that retained the appearance of the larger sled dogs native to Alaska.

Spurlin carefully bred the dogs over many years, introducing breeds like the Siberian Husky, Schipperke, and even smaller-sized Alaskan Huskies to achieve the desired size and appearance. The Alaskan Klee Kai was not directly developed from the Alaskan Malamute.

As a general rule, Klee Kai from Alaska is a very beautiful dog, with fur made of long, hard hair, but also short, soft hair. The fur is perfect for protecting their body from the cold, and its color is varied (gray, red, cream, black, white), in lighter shades on the chest, neck, back, and limbs.

Black and white is the most common color variety. These dogs have a primarily black coat with white markings. Red and white is less common than the black and white variety. The red and white Alaskan Klee Kai has a coat that ranges from a light cinnamon to a dark mahogany color, contrasted with white markings.

The tail is curved and covered with thick hair. The head is medium in size, the snout is elongated, the forehead is wide, and the nose is black. The ears are straight, triangular, and have slightly rounded edges. The body is long, the neck short, the back straight, the chest wide, and the forelegs and hind legs strong.

The Alaskan Klee Kai comes in three different sizes:

• Toy Alaskan Klee Kai, the smallest of the three, stands under 13 inches at the shoulder;
• Miniature Alaskan Klee Kai, slightly larger than the Toy variety, t stands between 13 and 15 inches at the shoulder;
• Standard Alaskan Klee Kai, the largest of the breed, stands between 15 and 17 inches at the shoulder.

The AKK dog has an average life expectancy of 10-13 years.

What are the extra costs?

In case you need to have your Alaskan Klee Kai dog shipped you will have to pay for transportation. You can hire a pet travel service that charges anywhere between $355 and $880 for domestic flights and around $3,550 per dog for international flights. These costs may or may not include the customs fee that differs from country to country.

If you want to register your Alaskan Klee Kai dog in the United Kennel Club you should plan on spending anywhere between $25 and $65 for each pup that is under one year old, $50 to $90 for dogs that are older than one year and around $25 for the late fee. To avoid this $25 surcharge, you should register your dog as soon as you receive it.

The main disadvantage of keeping an AKK dog in an apartment is that they can become very noisy if left alone for longer periods. That is why you should install soundproof foam walls. Plan on spending around $12 for twelve panels of 1” x 12” x 12” each.

On the other hand, if you live in a house with a yard then you should install high fences because these dogs are high jumpers just like cats. So, you will have to hire a professional carpenter that charges around $20 per hour.

However, you can install a fence yourself and spend anywhere between $1.5 and $10 for fence picket boards, depending on the quality.

Being an active small dog, the Alaskan Klee Kai does not tend to gain weight as easily as a lower-energy dog. Feed them an adequate amount of high-quality food twice a day.

They tend to do best when fed puzzle food, rather than in bowls, as this helps them slow down, exercise their brains, and consume excess energy. Avoid leaving food around it all day or your little dog will risk gaining weight. You should budget around $45 for a bag of dog food.

Like many active breeds, these dogs often enjoy playing to win their meals. A bored Alaskan Klee Kai can easily become destructive or vocal, so it’s important to exercise both his body and mind. Be prepared to spend $10 to $47 on dog toys.

Also, you should purchase a strong leash and harness necessary while walking your dog. These cost anywhere between $10 and $35.

Caring for an Alaskan Klee Kai is no small task, but fortunately, it is not the same as caring for a Maltese or Akita. Due to their small size, these dogs do not leave much hair around as a larger breed, but they do shed during spring and fall.

While their fur is thick, it stops growing at 0.8 – 2 inches. Brush them several times a week, taking extra care with the tufts around the neck or collar. Plan on spending around $10 for a lint brush to clean the dog’s fur.

Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively healthy breed of dog, probably due to its mixed-breed heritage. Though, Alaskan Klee Kai is vulnerable to conditions such as:

• ball joint dislocation or patellar luxation: occurs when the ball joint dislocates from its normal position;
• portosystemic shunts: a condition in which the dog’s body does not allow the liver to process toxins;
• cataract: occurs when the lens of the eye becomes blurred and vision is blocked.

In the case of patellar luxation surgical treatment is recommended and it can cost anywhere between $955 and $1,150, depending on the professional fee, the gravity of the problem, the number of overnight stays, and pre-surgery and post-surgery checkup fees.

To avoid this problem or other medical issues, you must take your dog to the vet for routine checkups. Expect to pay around $65 for each visit.

Regarding the vaccine shots, plan on spending anywhere between $20 and $40 for each shot.

Important things to consider

Alaskan Klee Kai is very attached to his master, is devoted to him, and is very friendly and affectionate with his children. He is a perfect, cheerful companion, he makes you laugh, and he can quickly become an integral part of the family that adopted him. He must be trained as a puppy. If he has a stubborn temperament, he must never be punished because he is an intelligent dog who will understand all the commands in time.

Being a very energetic dog, sometimes noisy, barking loudly but never for no reason, it would be advisable to be raised in a house with a yard. This way he can have more space to run free and consume his energy. It is a curious dog, strong, quite stubborn, and playful but not hyperactive.

Alaskan Klee Kai can’t stand being pinched, hit, or kicked by children. If subjected to such treatments, the dog will not hesitate to bite. For this reason, it is recommended that the animal not be kept in a house with small children.

He can get along well with other dogs and cats, but he will not miss the opportunity to hunt other animals such as rodents or birds.

Is an Alaskan Klee Kai right for you?

Before you bring home an Alaskan Klee Kai, you may want to look at other similar breeds to compare their personalities and needs. Be sure to talk to the owners and breeders, and meet a few Alaskan Klee Kai in person to learn more.

If you are interested in similar breeds, also check:

• Pomeranian
• Siberian Husky
• Papillon