Page 1 of 3
Official Standard of the Alaskan Klee Kai General Appearance: The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small sized companion dog that is alert, energetic, and curious, yet reserved with unfamiliar people and situations. The body is well proportioned, with a level topline and a length slightly longer than height. The gait is smooth, agile, and well balanced. The wedge-shaped head, erect triangle shaped ears, well furred double coat, and loosely curled tail reflect its arctic heritage. The most distinctive characteristic of the Alaskan Klee Kai is the contrasting symmetrical facial mask and body markings. This standard is the description of the ideal Alaskan Klee Kai. Any deviation from this description is considered a fault, the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in proportion to the extent of the deviation. Faults common to all breeds are as undesirable to the Alaskan Klee Kai as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned in this standard. Size, Proportion, Substance: Size – Alaskan Klee Kai height is 12 to 17 inches at the withers. Disqualifications - over 17 ½ inches in height. Proportion – In profile, the length of the body, from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks, is slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the withers, making the dog slightly longer than tall. Substance – Weight and bone are in proportion to the overall dog. Head: Expression is alert, keen, and intelligent. Eyes are of medium size and may be any color or combination of colors. Almond-shaped eyes are the most desirable, followed in order of preference by oval and then round. The eyes are moderately spaced, not set too wide or too close together. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have eye rims that are black; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white have eye rims that are liver/brown colored. Serious Faults- Bulging eyes; Eyes set too deep. Disqualification- Partial or completely black eye rims on dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white. Ears are strongly erect and triangle in shape with slightly rounded tips. They are set high yet well apart and are slightly large in proportion to the size of the head. The leather is thick from base to tip and well furred. The ears are extremely mobile and reactive. Disqualifications - Hanging or drop ears. Skull is slightly rounded and somewhat broad, neither too flat nor too domed. It tapers gradually from the widest point to the eyes. The stop is moderate and slightly sloping. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, and it is neither too narrow nor too thick. The skull and muzzle taper toward the nose to form a broad-based wedge shape. Muzzle tapers slightly from the stop to the nose, with a straight bridge, and is well filled in under the eyes. The lower jaw is strong but not protruding. The length of the muzzle from stop to nose is equal to, or slightly shorter than, the length of the skull from occiput to stop. Lips are tight. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have black lip color; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white, have liver/brown lip color. Faults- Pinched or snipy muzzle. Disqualification- Partial or completely black lips on dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white. Nose in profile, is on the same line as the top of the muzzle and extends just slightly beyond the lower jaw. Dogs with coat colors in shades of black with white or gray with white have a nose that is black; and dogs with coat colors in shades of red with white have a nose that is liver/brown colored. A streaked “snow nose” is less desirable, but acceptable. Disqualification- Partial or completely black nose on dog with coat colors in shades of red with white . Bite - Strong white evenly aligned teeth close in a tight scissors bite. Fault- level bite. Disqualifications- Overshot or undershot bite; wry mouth. Neck, Topline and Body: Neck is medium in length, arched and carried proudly erect when the dog is standing. When moving at a trot, the neck is extended so that the head is carried slightly forward. Body is moderately muscled with a level topline from the withers to the croup. Chest is muscular and moderately broad with a slightly pronounced prosternum clearly defined between the points of the shoulders . The lowest point of the chest does not extend below the elbows and is just behind the forelegs. Ribs are well sprung, forming a strong back, then curving down and inward to form a body that would be nearly heart-shaped if viewed in cross-section. Loin is strong and short, narrower than the rib cage, and has a slight tuck-up. Croup is broad and very slightly sloping. Tail is well furred and set on or just slightly below the level of the topline. The tail is carried in a loose, natural curl which falls to the center of the back or drapes down against either side when the dog is alert or moving. When the tail is curled, it does not stand away from the back or sides of the body. When the dog is relaxed, the tail may hang down. Disqualifications - Kinked tail; Tail too short to naturally curl over and touch the back. Forequarters: Angulation - The forequarters are well angulated. Shoulders are well laid back to allow for good reach and freedom of movement. The shoulder blade and upper arm are approximately equal in length. Forelegs , when viewed from the front, are straight, parallel, and moderately spaced with bone in proportion to the dog, appearing neither fragile nor heavy. Elbows are set close to the body and turned neither in nor out. The length of the leg from the ground to the elbow is slightly longer than the length from the elbow to the withers. Pasterns are flexible and strong, moderately short, and slightly angled. Dewclaws removal is optional . Feet are oval in shape, yet not long. The
Powered by FlippingBook