Breed Info

How Long Do Alaskan Klee Kai Live?

Alaskan Klee Kai life expectancy

Last Updated on June 12, 2024 by Kieran Beckles

Alaskan Klee Kai have a relatively long life expectancy.

The original Alaskan Klee Kai were created using Alaskan Huskies, Siberian Huskies, American Eskimo Dogs and Schipperke.

However, it’s important to note that you can only get an Alaskan Klee Kai these days by breeding two United Kennel Club-registered Alaskan Klee Kai.

Copper the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

The Alaskan Klee Kai was recognised by the United Kennel Club (in 1997) and the American Rare Breed Association but the Alaskan Klee Kai still hasn’t been granted status by the American Kennel Club.

As an Alaskan Klee Kai owner, I’ve often wondered the life expectancy of my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs compared to other small dog breeds.

In this article, I’ll be directly answering the question of Alaskan Klee Kai life expectancy as well as sharing some insights into the general health of Alaskan Klee Kai.

So let’s start by answering the main question posed in this Alaskan Klee Kai article.

Alaskan Klee Kai Life Expectancy

Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

Alaskan Klee Kai are still a new breed in terms of most dog breeds and how long they’ve been around.

It’s often said that small dog breeds like the Alaskan Klee Kai tend to have longer lives than large dogs.

Furthermore, a purebred dog is often given a lesser life expectancy than mixed breeds.

But how do Alaskan Klee Kai compare to their cousins, Alaskan Huskies and Siberian Huskies?

Well, Alaskan Klee Kai dogs have a typical lifespan ranging between 15 and 17 years, according to the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America.

At the time of writing, my older Alaskan Klee Kai Skye just turned six years old and my younger Alaskan Klee Kai Copper will be six at the start of next year.

Copper in London (Photo: lifewithkleekai)
Copper in London (Photo: lifewithkleekai)

So using the Alaskan Klee Kai Association Of America’s website as a guide, Copper and Skye are roughly one-third of the way through the lives with my family.

It’s also worth noting the life expectancy of the founding breeds used to create the Alaskan Klee Kai.

Siberian and Alaskan Huskies have significantly shorter lifespans, according to the American Kennel Club. For example, Siberian Huskies tend to live between 12 to 15 years.

Looking at the American Eskimo Dog and the Schipperke, they’ve both got a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years.

Are Alaskan Klee Kai Healthy Dogs?

Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

Alaskan Klee Kai health is a big consideration when we’re looking at Alaskan Klee Kai life expectancy.

The American Kennel Club describe Alaskan Klee Kai dogs as a “generally healthy breed”.

However, Alaskan Klee Kai can be prone to some health issues just like other dogs.

Whether you’re considering a Standard Alaskan Klee Kai, Miniature Alaskan Klee Kai or Toy Alaskan Klee Kai, you should take the necessary steps to find a responsible Alaskan Klee Kai breeder.

A good Alaskan Klee Kai breeder will be screening their Alaskan Klee Kai puppies for a number of health conditions, including patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, heart murmur, eye disorders, and Factor VII deficiency.

Copper (Photo: lifewithkleekai.com)
Copper (Photo: lifewithkleekai.com)

If you’re relatively new to the Alaskan Klee Kai breed, it’s important to point out that the Alaskan Klee Kai Association Of America is the trusted source for Alaskan Klee Kai breeders in your region of the USA or country.

Here’s the advice offered by the American Kennel Club for prospective Alaskan Klee Kai owners.

“Prospective Alaskan Klee Kai owners are encouraged to purchase from responsible/reputable Alaskan Klee Kai breeders who are doing these evaluations, and confirm the health screening of the sire and dam.”

Do My Alaskan Klee Kai Have Any Health Issues?

Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

As we’ve already touched upon, Alaskan Klee Kai should live between 15 and 17 years.

The breed remains rare but I’ve seen firsthand instances of Alaskan Klee Kai hitting 15 years or older. We’ve even got some members in our Life With Klee Kai community.

My Alaskan Klee Kai Copper and Skye are six months apart having come from the same breeder – Nordic Mini Husky.

Our breeder carried out all the necessary checks before we brought our Alaskan Klee kai home.

Copper the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Copper the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

I’m happy to report that my Alaskan Klee Kai don’t have any chronic health issues so they’re on course to hopefully be part of our lives for at least another decade.

The only issues we’ve had with our Alaskan Klee Kai is pickiness at mealtime and separation anxiety.

Finishing Up

Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Skye the Alaskan Klee Kai (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)

We’ve reached the end of feature on Alaskan Klee Kai life expectancy.

As you’ll know by now, Alaskan Klee Kai dogs will typically live up to 15 years. In some cases, Alaskan Klee Kai can even reach the ripe age of 17 or older!

So if you’re thinking about an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy, you should prepare to have a companion dog or companion dogs for a large part of your life.

Alaskan Klee Kai dogs are relatively low maintenance when it comes to their health but it’s a good idea to know some of the potential concerns associated with the Alaskan Klee Kai breed.

I want to emphasise the importance of going to a trusted Alaskan Klee Kai breeder who carries out the recommended tests on their Alaskan Klee Kai puppies.

The best place to find Alaskan Klee Kai breeders is the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America’s website. They’ve got a list of Alaskan Klee Kai breeders who have signed up to their code of ethics.

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