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Can I Adopt An Alaskan Klee Kai if I Live in An Apartment?

Oftentimes, people who live in apartments put off adopting dogs until they live in larger spaces or have access to a yard. While it’s definitely important to consider the size of the dog you’re looking to adopt when living in an apartment, dogs can be happy apartment-dwellers, too. And Alaskan Klee Kai can be perfect dogs for smaller living spaces like apartments.

Alaskan Klee Kai are really pretty small dogs — generally about 10-20 lbs. in weight —- and they don’t require a whole lot of room. That being said, there are some important things that apartment dwellers should know about getting an Alaskan Klee Kai:

  • They will need to be crate-trained. It’s generally recommended to crate-train your Alaskan Klee Kai no matter what kind of dwelling you occupy, but it’s especially important in an apartment. Puppies who are not being crate trained can get very destructive, very quickly. From chewing on anything their eyes land on to peeing or pooping on the floor, Alaskan Klee Kai puppies can be quite a handful. This is why crate training is recommended. They know not to go potty in their crate, because that’s where they lay their fuzzy little head to sleep. Alaskan Klee Kai, like most dogs, have an acute don’t-poop-or-pee-where-sleeping sense, and it helps them train themselves to hold it instead of peeing or pooping in their crate.

  • Outside of their crate, it’s important that they have a little area that they can play in. If you’re potty-training, a nice patch of fake grass and/or some pee pads can help with this. But because they aren’t really big dogs, they don’t need a really large area to play in, just somewhere they can tumble around under your supervision and play with you.

  • It’s important that all dogs get exercise every day. If they live in an apartment, this is probably also when they go potty. Multiple walks are crucial for Alaskan Klee Kai as they have a lot of energy and also need plenty of time to go to the bathroom. Other forms of exercise, like trips to the dog park or small hikes, can be advantageous as well, especially in terms of socialization, and also giving them a little more room to relax and stretch their little legs.

  • It’s advisable to give your Alaskan Klee Kai a thorough brushing every week and then an extra-thorough grooming when they blow their coats twice a year. If you stay on top of it, it won’t become a problem, but if you get behind or are lax about grooming your Klee Kai, you may end up with a load of dog fur in a small space. Check out our resources on grooming your Alaskan Klee Kai for further advice on this topic!

The bottom line is: if you’re providing a safe, secure space for your dog to learn and play and grow, Alaskan Klee Kai can be perfect dogs for apartment-dwellers. They do require some time and energy, so be prepared! Ultimately, though, you’ll make a friend for life.