The Alaskan Klee Kai, otherwise known as the Miniature Alaskan Husky or the Mini Husky, is basically a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky (though some people seem to think that this breed resembles the Siberian Husky). This breed has great variety and may weigh anyway from 10 to 40 pounds. There are also three color variations to choose from.
Developed in the 1970s, this breed is still relatively new in the dog world. They look like a smaller Alaskan Husky, but they actually have a little of three distinct breeds -- Alaskan Huksy, Siberian Husky, and American Eskimo. With the focus shifting from large dogs to smaller companion dogs, the Alaskan Klee Kai is becoming more common throughout North America. They are still seldom seen worldwide.
This dog sheds a lot, has an off-the-charts energy level, and can be yappy. Because of this, they are not suitable for apartments or families with irritable neighbors. The Alaskan Klee Kai needs quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis to keep from becoming high strung and even neurotic, so even though they are small in size they need room to move. They are friendly but sometimes distrustful of strangers and they bond very closely to their own family. Because they do tend towards neurotic, they need a calm and loving home where the "pack order" is clearly established.
The Alaskan Klee Kai comes in three basic varieties -- standard, miniature, and toy. Standard Alaskan Klee Kais are usually between 15 and 17.5 inches high at the shoulder. Miniatures typically stand between 13 and 15 inches, again at the shoulder. Toys are considered anything under 13 inches. All varieties are prone to stomach ailments, but toys are particularly susceptible.
With the right home and weekly brushing, the Alaskan Klee Kai can make a delightful companion for anyone from a young teenager to a senior citizen.
An Alaskan Husky is the ultimate working dog and is not the same as the Alaskan Malamute. They are born and bred to pull and are legendary for their endurance. Breeders very carefully select breeding pairs to ensure the best working dog possible. The result is a sturdy dog that resembles the Siberian Husky but with a leaner build. They're also considerably stronger and slightly larger than the Siberian. Alaskan Huskies have a thick coat to deal with all sorts of weather and a fluffy tail that is sometimes carried over the back. They can have eyes ranging from blue to brown. Many dogs have a combination of blue and brown eyes.
Since the Alaskan Husky is bred to be a working dog, they are easily bored and tend to chew or scratch if they don't have something to do. A dog that is lonely or bored will quickly become destructive. They are loyal and gentle, so as long as you can keep them occupied, they make great pets. They stay puppy-like throughout their lives and are wonderful with most children. They tend to love everyone and are relatively quiet (though they do like to howl, sometimes at nothing), so they don't make great watchdogs.
Huskies are incredibly stubborn, so much so that they are sometimes considered stupid. This is untrue, as they are intelligent and highly trainable. If you're going to train an Alaskan Husky, however, you must be prepared to be the leader. If you're not the leader of your own little pack, your Husky will have no respect for you. This disrespect doesn't usually turn to violence, as Huskies are not a naturally violent breed. Instead, your Alaskan Husky is likely to simply ignore you, an ability they seem to share with most cats.
These dogs are born to roam so they don't do well in apartments. They need exercise and room to move. If you do have an Alaskan Husky in an apartment, prepare to walk your dog at least three times a day. This isn't optional as they absolutely must have this much exercise. It would be better if your dog had a fenced yard to explore and toys to keep him or her busy. An Alaskan Husky should not be left to roam without a fence. These dogs do tend to wander off purely by accident and you might never seen your canine companion again. They also like to dig, so the fence should extend at least a foot below the ground.
This dog is bred for colder climates. They enjoy being outside when the temperature dips below freezing, but they really can't stand the heat. On a blistering summer day, you need to give your dog a way to cool down. Maybe an air conditioned garage or even a tub of water large enough for the dog to stand in.
The fluffy coat of an Alaskan Husky requires very little maintenance. But this breed does have two shedding seasons a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. During these periods Huskies will drop a lot of hair and may mat. Brush out the coat every few day with a metal comb to help prevent uncomfortable matting.
Though most Alaskan Huskies are indeed pedigreed, they are not considered pure by the AKC or the CKC and so are not registered by either association. This is because breeders will sometimes introduce other breeds into their breeding programs. Regardless of their acceptance by two of the largest associations in the world, they are a loving and joyful breed and make wonderful companions for many people.
Though the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is descended from the English Bulldog, it really has its origins in the late 1800s. In the southern USA (Georgia, to be specific) an effort was made to save the "plantation dog" from extinction. Outcrosses deemed to enhance the line were incorporated over the course of a century. This concerted effort resulted in the rare guard dog we now call the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. Because of its rarity, this dog is not accepted by many societies throughout the world. The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog wasn't recognized by anyone until 1986, and this was only by the Animal Research Foundation (ARF).
This dog certainly has many of the traits we have come to associate with the term bulldog. The dog is well developed and sturdy with a broad head and drop ears. The muzzle is prominent and the eyes are set well apart. The coat of the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is short and coarse and may be of many colors, though the following are preferred: red merle, blue merle, or brown merle. All colors should be trimmed in white, or a combination of chocolate and white. Eyes should be blue or a mix of blue and brown in a single eyes. These eye colors are called glass or marble eyes, respectively. The ears and tail should never be docked or trimmed and the dewclaws should not be removed, so if your breeder suggests these practices, look for another breeder.
The Alapaha is highly trainable and extremely loyal. It will fight to the death to protect its family, and is highly protective of children. It makes a good guard dog and companion dog. It is on the larger size, sometimes growing to as much as 100 pounds, so make sure you take your dog to obedience classes to ensure a well socialized dog. This dog usually does not suit apartment living, but the Alapaha can adapt to an apartment if they are exercised at least twice a day.
Unfortunately, this dog breed is prone to some health problems, mostly because of the limited genetic pool. They tend to suffer from entropion, which is an inversion of the eyelids. Talk to your breeder about health problems specific to the line. Regardless of line, all Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs require some brushing. They have short hair, yes, but the hair can make them itchy, so groom your dog once a week to remove dead hair.
This sturdy breed, which correctly belongs in the mastiff group, is a good guard dog for homes and farms. It's also a good companion dog for many people around the world.
The Alano Español, also called the Spanish Alano or the Spanish Bulldog, is a large sturdy dog with its origins in Molossia (which makes it a molossar breed). They are an ancient breed whose origins are still unclear. The dog looks a little primitive, it's true, but it's built for a purpose. The Alano Español can run at high speeds for a long time as it ranges over over the countryside chasing cattle and holding them in place for many hours at a time. They can also hunt all day and well into the night. The stamina of this breed is rarely matched in the canine world.
The body of the Spanish Bulldog is well proportioned with strong legs and an arched rib cage. The paws are larger than you might think and give the dog a good grip on the ground, allowing for sharp turns and sudden stops. The tail is thick at the base and tapers to a point. It is generally carried over the back and is never cropped. Why? Because the tail is used as a rudder, helping the dog negotiate sharp turns at high speeds.
This dog can appear frightening, but only because it holds it head low and looks to be constantly searching for something. They are agile enough for the toughest agility competitions and smart enough to learn quickly. Acceptable colors for the Spanish Bulldog include yellow, gray, fawn, red, or black. Brindling is allowed but not required, just as with the classic black mask. White markings are allowed, but usually only on the snout, neck, chest, belly, lower legs, or the tip of the tail. White is never the main color of the Spanish Alano.
The Spanish Alano is sweet and submissive with its own family and is generally great with children. As this dog is a social breed, it is generally good with other dogs, though it may see cats as prey. Strangers are another matter. This dog is both serious and dominant, and strangers will be greeted with suspicion. They can attack with very little warning, though generally only when the situation calls for it. These dogs follow the orders of their master, no matter what. If told to hold a bull in place, they will do so or die trying.
This dog is smaller in size than some, sometimes getting as large as 90 pounds. The Alano Español has few health problems, probably because it developed in a place where only the strongest survived. They also heal faster than most other dog breeds. In addition, they are one of the few molossar breeds that does not snore, drool, or slobber, making them easier to have as house pets.
These dogs need a lot of exercise and they like to be outside, so they don't make very good apartment dogs. The Spanish Alano doesn't mind the heat or the cold, happily roaming and investigating during most temperatures. They do need plenty of water in the heat, and they don't like to roast, so bring them in when the temperature is soaring. As for cold ... they don't mind a little cold, but if the temperature drops significantly below freezing, they probably need to come in.
The Alano Español makes a good companion and will guard its family against all ills. But they don't do well with new people, so don't let them roam where they might encounter someone they don't know.
