Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Kieran Beckles
If you’re thinking about getting an Alaskan Klee Kai but you’re wondering whether these dogs shed a lot, the answer is yes!
It’s a resounding yes, too. Alaskan Klee Kai will shed throughout the year so there’s really no escaping the hair.
We find with Copper and Skye are constant shedders and it’s something that we’ve just become accustomed to living with. There’s hair everywhere, all the time.
Alaskan Klee Kai, or Mini Huskies as they’re often dubbed, can make much-loved pets and attract a lot of attention thanks to their striking resemblance to their larger cousins, the Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Huskies.
Alaskan Klee Kai possess a unique blend of charm and intelligence, making them a popular choice among dog owners.
However, like all dogs, Alaskan Klee Kai have certain traits that potential owners should be aware of, one of which is shedding.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at how much Alaskan Klee Kai shed.
Do Alaskan Klee Kai Shed A Lot?
Alaskan Klee Kai have a double coat that is typically made up of a thick, dense undercoat and a coarse, versatile outer coat. While the Alaskan Klee Kai is considered a moderate-to-high shedder throughout the year, these mini huskies are seasonal shedders too.
We find that our Alaskan Klee Kai will blow out their undercoat during the changing of the seasons.
Typically Copper and Skye will shed noticeably more as we leave spring and say hello to summer. It’s a similar story when we’re in autumn and the months are getting colder. There’s Alaskan Klee Kai hair all over our home and our clothes.
Alaskan Klee Kai shedding is something prospective dog owners should consider before getting a Klee Kai.
Seeing as Klee Kai are related to the Alaskan Husky and the Siberian Husky, it’s no surprise these dogs shed a lot.
As with most double-coated dogs, Alaskan Klee Kai have a topcoat, which serves as a protective layer against the elements, and a dense undercoat that provides insulation.
The undercoat is the primary culprit for shedding, especially during seasonal changes.
Klee Kai, who were recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1997, are double coated dogs that shed a lot.
But how often can you expect your Klee Kai to shed? Let’s find out!
Frequency of Shedding
Alaskan Klee Kai shed their fur throughout the year, but Alaskan Klee Kai experience more intense shedding during at different times of the year.
With our Klee Kai, we find they tend to shed more during the changing of the season.
A Klee Kai’s shedding season usually occurs twice a year: in the spring when Alaskan Klee Kai lose their winter coat, and in the fall when Alaskan Klee Kai prepare for their warmer summer coat.
During these times, you may find yourself dealing with larger quantities of dog hair around your home.
As you’ll know if you’ve followed us for a while, we’ve moved from California to London before heading back to California again. Our Klee Kai shed a lot in the initial months after our return to California.
So a change of climate could be something to consider with regard to Klee Kai and their shedding.
Factors Influencing Shedding
Several factors can influence the shedding intensity of Alaskan Klee Kai:
Seasonal Changes
As mentioned earlier, the shedding season plays a significant role in their shedding habits.
Hormonal Changes
Female Alaskan Klee Kai may experience additional shedding during their heat cycles. We haven’t experienced this with Skye as she was spayed before she turned one.
Climate
Alaskan Klee Kai living in warmer climates may not experience as much seasonal shedding, as these dogs adapt to the milder weather.
Like we touched upon above, moving to different climates certainly affected our Alaskan Klee Kai and how much they shed.
Managing Alaskan Klee Kai Dog Hair
While shedding is a natural and unavoidable process with these funny dogs, there are effective ways to manage and minimize the fur around your home.
Regular Grooming
Regular grooming is essential for Alaskan Klee Kai. Using a slicker brush and grooming glove can help remove loose fur from their coat.
Aim to groom them at least once or twice a week to stay on top of shedding.
Bathing and Blow-Drying
Regular baths can help loosen and remove loose fur. After a bath, blow-drying their coat on a cool setting can help remove even more loose hair.
In fact, our dogs shed an incredible amount after a bath. It’s crazy! We find dog fur around the home for the next few days.
Healthy Diet
A balanced and nutritious diet can contribute to the overall health of your Alaskan Klee Kai’s coat, potentially reducing excessive dog hair around your home.
Proper Vacuuming
Having a good vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair can be a lifesaver when dealing with shedding. It ensures your home stays clean and free of fur.
Of course, any family pet will contribute a certain amount dirt to the home.
In our experience with Copper and Skye, they’re really clean and don’t have a dog odour. But they make up for the lack of smell with the sheer amount of fur!
Consult a Groomer
If you’re unsure about grooming techniques, consider consulting a professional groomer who specializes in double-coated breeds and other dogs who shed a lot.
Products We Use To Tackle Alaskan Klee Kai Shedding
Klee Kai shed a moderate amount so dog owners will want to have some tools to help maintain their coats.
Tangle Teezer
When it comes to brushing our Klee Kai, we use the Tangle Teezer (more on this brush later!). We find that both Copper and Skye tend to shed starting from their hindquarters and lower back.
It’s where most of the loose hair comes from so we pay special attention to their fluffy rears, legs, and lower back to collect as much hair as possible.
Their necks are usually another area of their body where there’s plenty of loose hair to collect with our Tangle Teezer.
If we’re honest, we don’t brush Copper and Skye enough.
It really should be a daily task to make the shedding much more manageable. But as life tends to get in the way, we aim to brush their coats a couple of times a week.
A typical grooming session will last 10 to 15 minutes. We brush Skye and Copper, remove the hair collected, go again. By the time we’ve finished brushing them, we’ll usually have 5 or 6 big balls of fur.
Some Alaskan Klee Kai owners take their mini huskies to the groomers to get brushed but this is something we haven’t tried.
It’s worth noting that Alaskan Klee Kai should only be bathed once or twice a year, so if you do have a Klee Kai, you don’t want to wash them too often. This is where they’re different to most other dogs.
Grooming Glove
We’ve tried a lot of different grooming products since getting Copper and Skye five years ago. Some have worked well, some not so much. Initially we opted for a grooming glove that you can find on Amazon.
This was probably Copper and Skye’s preferred way of being brushed but we felt it wasn’t the most effective. If you’ve got an anxious or nervous Alaskan Klee Kai, it could be a good way to introduce regular grooming sessions to built their confidence before transitioning to a brush.
Skye and Copper weren’t big fans of wire brushes that you’ll often see being used by groomers. Alaskan Klee Kai can be skittish by nature and they’d twist and wiggle because it seemed to be uncomfortable.
You won’t be surprised to hear that we ditched the wire brush in favour of the Tangle Teezer.
DYSON V12 DETECT VACUUM
Of all the vacuums that we have used since getting our Alaskan Klee Kai, the Dyson V12 detect vacuum comes out on top. We love using this vacuum to collect all the fur.
It’s so useful to have a quality vacuum, especially with this unique breed. They shed a lot and we wouldn’t notice half of the hair but for the Dyson vacuum’s laser. It highlights all the hair from their coats that we find around the home so we can be sure to collect it all.
This Dyson vacuum is probably one of the best tools to have if you’ve got a Klee Kai, Alaskan and Siberian Huskies or any Spitz-type breed that sheds a moderate amount.
EUFY ROBOVAC X8
If you have a breed that sheds a moderate amount but you don’t have a lot of time to vacuum, you may prefer to opt for a robotic vacuum.
We’ve owned iRobot devices in the past but we’d recommend the Eufy because it’s significantly cheaper and does a much better job.
Our Alaskan Klee Kai love the Eufy – they follow around the home, so it keeps them entertained. Our breeder used a robotic vacuum so our Klee Kai weren’t spooked by the vacuum, which might not be the case with every Klee Kai dog you meet.
Anything Else To Consider?
Alaskan Klee Kai are unique in many ways, and their shedding is just one aspect that sets them apart from other dog breeds. Their fluffy double coat and striking appearance make them an alluring family pet.
While their smaller size means they won’t make effective guard dogs, Alaskan Klee Kai are energetic, intelligent, and can sometimes be escape artists, so proper training and socialization are crucial.
And don’t think having small dogs will mean less hair, Alaskan Klee Kai shed just as much as big dogs such as their cousin Alaskan Husky.
Conclusion
Alaskan Klee Kai shedding is a natural process that all owners of this charming breed should be prepared to manage. They’ve got Alaskan Huskies and Siberian Huskies to thank – it’s in these dogs’ genes!
While their double coat requires regular maintenance and attention, we truly don’t mind brushing our Alaskan Klee Kai because life wouldn’t be the same without Copper and Skye.
By understanding their shedding habits and implementing proper grooming practices, you can enjoy a happy and fur-friendly life with your Alaskan Klee Kai.
Remember, regular brushing and grooming not only manage shedding but also strengthen the bond between you and your Alaskan Klee Kai. It’s a great way to connect and build trust.
Kieran runs Life With Klee Kai on social media and other online platforms alongside his wife Yasmin. With over 10 years of experience as a journalist and a passionate dog owner, Kieran loves to combine his passion for pets and writing to share useful insights and product reviews to help other dog owners.