Alaskan Klee Kai Road to AKC
Linda Spurlin, Breed Developer Initiative
In 1988, Linda Spurlni originally contacted the American Kennel Club for the requirements needed to recognize the new Klee Kai breed which she had developed in Alaska. AKC required a larger number of dogs, breeders, and multiple different owners in locations
all across the United States. They also required decades (at least 30-40 years at that time)
with multiple pure-bred generations of the distinct breed.
In August of 2002, Linda Spurlin started the Alaskan Klee Kai Club of America (AKKCOA),
with the same goal of achieving AKC recognition. Throughout the years since that time,
the breed continued to grow in numbers, generations, breeders, owners and history.
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Several people have been involved over the years to help Linda Spurlin,
Eileen Gregory, and Chris Shackelford to work to bring this AKC initiative to reality,
and to help protect the breed and standards to the original vision of development
with good health, structure, temperament and standards.
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Foundation Stock Service New Breed Consideration Requirements
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Submit letter from petitioner (breed developer, Linda Spurlin), requesting admission of the Alaskan Klee Kai into the AKC Foundation Stock Service as a new breed.
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Complete AKC FSS Questionnaire for new breed.
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Written breed history and overview of the breed over a period of many decades (at least 40 years) providing source of historical information.
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Alaskan Klee Kai Health documentation - OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) and UC Davis (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory).
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Written breed Standard for FSS with AKC required formatting.
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Documentation of differences between the current UKC breed standard and the FSS breed standard (required at least 10% difference).
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Photographs of the Alaskan Klee Kai on CD showing puppies and adults, as well as both dogs and bitches, and variations of accepted types.
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Also included photograph examples of Alaskan Klee Kai in performance sports and multiple activities showing versatility.
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Completed and Submitted - 06/01/2020
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October 27, 2020 - Linda received notification from AKC that the Alaskan Klee Kai was accepted into AKC-FSS as a new breed and
approved to continue with the next set of requirements.
October 28, 2020 – Letter from Linda about her initiative, and notice of acceptance in FSS for our breed, posted in the AKKAOA newsletter and AKK facebook sites and websites to inform AKK breeders, owners, and enthusiasts.
AKC Foundation Stock Service New Breed Web Page Requirements
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Short Breed Introduction and Breed Characteristics
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Height, Weight and Life Expectancy Information
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Breed Club and Website Link
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General Characteristics Categories
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Nutrition
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Grooming
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Exercise
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Training
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Health and Recommended Health Testing
- Did You Know? Fun Facts
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​Breed History (shorter version)
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FSS Breed Standard
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Multiple Breed Photos and Release Forms meeting AKC requirements​
​Completed and submitted - 01/07/2021
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January 25, 2021 - AKC FSS added the details of the
Alaskan Klee Kai to their new breed database.
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January 25, 2021 - Notified AKK community.
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At this time, the only acceptable registry recognized by AKC-FSS for our breed is the
United Kennel Club (UKC). Eligible Alaskan Klee Kai dogs registered with the
UKC having at least 3-generation pedigrees may continue to the
registered directly with the Foundation Stock Service.
Please be sure your dog is FULLY registered with the UKC as well as being
entered into the AKC-FSS records, since the breed is not yet fully recognized
with the AKC. These FSS registration papers do NOT qualify as
full AKC registration papers, and are not accepted by other registries as such.
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The American Kennel Club gave exclusive authorization to the
Alaskan Klee Kai Club of America (AKKCOA) to submit a ONE TIME FREE bulk
group of registrations for eligible Alaskan Klee Kai.
*** Finalizing to submit to AKC for FSS registration ***
The Alaskan Klee Kai is currently in the AKC-FSS and working to become part of the
Non-Sporting Group. They are permitted to compete in all AKC Companion events
(Agility, Obedience, Rally, and Tracking) as pure-bred Alaskan Klee Kai.
They are NOT yet permitted to compete in AKC Championship Conformation
Shows, however they can compete in Open Shows that are essentially
Conformation matches for AKC-FSS breeds.
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