Is the Alaskan Klee Kai Better than the Australian Kelpie as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Alaskan Klee Kai Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Alaskan Klee Kai and for the Australian Kelpie. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Australian Kelpie.

Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie: Overview

A very important difference between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small-sized dog while the Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Alaskan Klee Kai belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Australian Kelpie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Alaskan Klee Kai to the Australian Kelpie based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie

Factor Alaskan Klee Kai Australian Kelpie
Weight 10 to 15 pounds 25 to 46 pounds
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 15 years
Height 13 to 17 inches 15 to 20 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2760 $500
Price Range $2500 – $3200 $500 – $500
Temperament Score 50.0 percent 83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • VetGen
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Alaskan Klee Kai in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Australian Kelpie. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Alaskan Klee Kai is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a better pet than the Australian Kelpie. So, you should get the Alaskan Klee Kai!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie

    Below is a list of where the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are most different:

    • Alaskan Klee Kais cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.
    • Alaskan Klee Kais are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Australian Kelpies are prone to nip and chew at things.

    The Similarities Between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie

    The Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are most similar:

    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are very easy to train.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie are very playful.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie.

    Alaskan Klee Kais weigh 10 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Alaskan Klee Kais are 13 to 17 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Australian Kelpies weigh 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. Australian Kelpies are 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie

    The lifespan of Alaskan Klee Kais is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Alaskan Klee Kais is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is 12.5 years.

    Alaskan Klee Kais live longer than Australian Kelpies.

    Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Alaskan Klee Kai

    The Australian Kelpie has a better temperament than the Alaskan Klee Kai.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Alaskan Klee Kai is 50.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Alaskan Klee Kai has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie by measuring the temperaments of 2 Alaskan Klee Kais and 6 Australian Kelpies.

    Price of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Price of Australian Kelpie

    The average price of the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy is $2760. The price of the Alaskan Klee Kai typically ranges from $2500 – $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 133 Alaskan Klee Kai puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Australian Kelpie puppy is $500. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Alaskan Klee Kai is more expensive than the Australian Kelpie.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Alaskan Klee Kai and Australian Kelpie. For different price points, the charts show how many Alaskan Klee Kai puppies or how many Australian Kelpie puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Alaskan Klee Kais. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Alaskan Klee Kais. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy or the Australian Kelpie puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie

    Alaskan Klee Kais do not like to be left alone.

    Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

    Do Alaskan Klee Kais shed more than Australian Kelpies?

    Alaskan Klee Kais shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Australian Kelpie

    Alaskan Klee Kais do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to groom.

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

    Does the Alaskan Klee Kai Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Australian Kelpies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Alaskan Klee Kais Bark and Howl? What about Australian Kelpies?

    Alaskan Klee Kais bark and howl, but not very much.

    Australian Kelpies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Alaskan Klee Kais can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Alaskan Klee Kai vs. Australian Kelpie

    Alaskan Klee Kais have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Australian Kelpies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Alaskan Klee Kais cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais do not get along well with other dogs.

    Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Alaskan Klee Kais good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Alaskan Klee Kais and Australian Kelpies?

    Alaskan Klee Kais get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Alaskan Klee Kai Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to train.

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

    Is the Alaskan Klee Kai Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Australian Kelpie?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Alaskan Klee Kai versus Australian Kelpie. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Australian Kelpie better suits you and your family.