The Alaskan Kleedoodle is a cross between a Poodle and an Alaskan Klee Kai.
Because of its friendly and outgoing nature, this breed is perfect as a family pet.
If you’re considering adding this breed to your family, this guide will give you all the information to make the best decision for you and your loved ones.
What is an Alaskan Kleedoodle?
An Alaskan Kleedoodle is a mix between an Alaskan Klee Kai and a Poodle.
Alaskan Klee Kai is a breed of medium-sized dogs that are very athletic, energetic, and intelligent. They have a fox-like face and long, fluffy tail curling over their back. Their coat is often silver-white with black tips or spots on the face and body, but they can also be found in red or brown colors.
Poodles are among the most popular dog breeds known for their intelligence, versatility, and good temperaments. They are also known for their striking coats, which can be curly or wavy and come in various colors, including black, brown, gray, and white.
History of the Parent Breeds
What’s so interesting about this hybrid pet is that it inherits the qualities of both parent breeds. So that you can better comprehend the Alaskan Kleedoodle’s unique character, I will provide a brief overview of the ancestry of both of its parent breeds.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai had ancestors among the myriad indigenous canines who have lived in the Alaskan region for thousands of years. Some were kept as pets, but all were vital to the survival of indigenous and nomadic populations in Alaska’s extreme climate.
In addition, thanks to Linda Spurlin and her family, who started working with purebred huskies in Alaska in the ’70s, we now have the modern Alaskan Klee Kai [1]akc.org/dog-breeds/alaskan-klee-kai. She painstakingly bred for generations to create a smaller, more manageable version of the Alaska Husky.
The result is a dog with the same dramatic contrasting symmetrical face mask and markings but with a more manageable size [2]ukcdogs.com/alaskan-klee-kai. Like their ancestors, Alaskan Klee Kai are amiable companion dogs for people of all ages, athletes, performers, and therapists in various fields.
Poodle
Poodles were bred in Germany in the 1600s. The breed was originally used as a water retrieval dog, hunting duck and fowl in their natural habitat [3]ukcdogs.com/standard-Poodle.
Although not entirely, Poodles eventually left the hunting grounds and made their way into homes across Europe. France was one country in particular that took a liking to these curly-haired cuties. Poodles were often spotted at the sides of French nobles.
This is how the Poodle became France’s national dog. The standard Poodle was eventually bred down in size to create the Miniature Poodle. In turn, the Miniature Poodle was bred down to make the Toy Poodle.
Poodles of all sizes have been popular family dogs for centuries. They have become more companion dogs than workers and remain popular worldwide.
Appearance
Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodles, or Kleedoodles, have all of the appearances of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Poodle. This includes a small to medium-sized body with a long straight double coat resembling a Poodle.
Coat Type
The Alaskan Kleedoodle has a double-layered coat. The coat is thick, fluffy, and curly, so this dog is really attractive looking. The undercoat covers most of the skin on the face, neck, and chest area. The outer hair is longer and makes this Doodle dog look really cute.
Coat Colors
Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodle mixes come in a variety of colors. They can be a combination of café au lait like Poodles [4]akc.org/dog-breeds/Poodle-standard, white to black and silver. The coat usually features some patterning.
It is not uncommon for the color of the coat to be almost solid, and this is typically the case if you have the Poodle as the dominant breed. The dominant feature you will see in most cases with Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodles is that they share their coats’ color with the Poodle and their Alaskan husky counterparts.
Size
Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodles stand somewhere between the height of their parent breeds. Since both parent breeds are known to be moderately sized, it is no surprise that the Alaskan Kleedoodle similarly takes on this medium stature. [5]akkcoa.org/about-the-breed
Height
The Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodle is a mixed-breed dog that combines the best of both breeds. Its height is 15 inches, which falls within the range of its parent breeds.
The female and male Alaskan Klee Kai average between 15 and 17 inches in height. Female and male Poodles are around the same height, at 15 inches [6]akc.org/dog-breeds/Poodle-standard. Because of this, it shouldn’t be surprising that an Alaskan Klee Kai-typical Poodle’s size is 15 inches.
Weight
Just like their parent breeds, these dogs are average-sized. The male Kleedoodle comes in at around 23 to 28 pounds. Meanwhile, the female averages between 17 and 22 pounds.
Traits and Characteristics
Temperament and Personality
The Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodle mix is a small dog with a big personality. They are an affectionate and social breed that makes an excellent family companion. They crave human companionship as well as attention.
Like Poodles, they are great with children and have a lovely temperament [7]youtube.com/watch?v=_Pw-39u9344. They’re constantly delighted by their owners as these pups have very friendly personalities and beautiful appearances that put smiles on everyone’s faces.
Easy to train
The Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodle mix is brilliant, alert, and playful. Their herding heritage leads them to chase things naturally. In addition, they are intelligent dogs that respond well to training when they are young [8]akc.org/canine-partners/husky-lite-meet-alaskan-klee-kai.
They may have some stubbornness as they get older, but with proper training, they will quickly learn what you want them to do.
Strong protective sense
They are also protective of their families and can be territorial at times. This means that they may act aggressively towards strangers or other animals when they feel threatened by them.
Some owners have found that this can be reduced by socializing them when they are still young so that they don’t become too protective over time [9]youtube.com/watch?v=ZzS_-ofv0HE.
Be prepared for exercise
It’s important to know that your Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodle mix will require a lot of exercise and attention. While small, they are full of energy and must be kept active.
These dogs can be trained to do almost anything you want them to, but they need to be introduced to training early in their lives. If you don’t know how much time and energy a dog like this requires, choose a different breed altogether.
Common Health Issues
Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodles are generally healthy dogs, but they may have some health issues like:
- Hip dysplasia
- Cancer
- Addison’s disease
- Gastric torsion
- Thyroid issues
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Various eye disorders
Additionally, some genetic conditions can affect this breed: cardiac defects, patella luxation, and cryptorchidism.
Lifespan
They are generally healthy and have minimal medical issues. The average lifespan of a healthy, well-cared-for one is 12 years, but it can go as high as 15-17 years.
Final Thoughts
Alaskan Klee Kai-Poodles are sweet, loyal, and exceptionally cute. They make great companions, and they are easy to train. If you want a dog that can get along with your family, this is the dog for you.
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