Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Alaskan Klee Kai Versus Norfolk Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier? 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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier. 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 Norfolk Terrier.

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 Norfolk Terrier.

Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small-sized dog while the Norfolk Terrier is a tiny-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 Norfolk Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Alaskan Klee Kai to the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier

Factor Alaskan Klee Kai Norfolk Terrier
Weight 10 to 15 pounds 11 to 12 pounds
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 13 to 17 inches 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2760 $2500
Price Range $2500 – $3200 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 50.0 percent 92.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • VetGen
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    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 Norfolk Terrier. 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 Norfolk Terrier is 94 out of 125.

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

    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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are most different:

    • Alaskan Klee Kais are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Norfolk Terriers are good for new dog owners.
    • Alaskan Klee Kais do not get along well with other dogs. However, Norfolk Terriers get along well with other dogs.
    • Alaskan Klee Kais are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Norfolk Terriers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Alaskan Klee Kais shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Alaskan Klee Kais have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norfolk Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier

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

    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are very playful.
    • Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier can tolerate cold weather.

    Size Comparison of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier.

    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, Norfolk Terriers weigh 11 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norfolk Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier

    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 Norfolk Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norfolk Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Alaskan Klee Kais live longer than Norfolk Terriers.

    Temperament of the Alaskan Klee Kai Versus the Norfolk Terrier

    The Norfolk Terrier has a better temperament than the Alaskan Klee Kai.

    This is because the temperament score for the Norfolk Terrier is 92.9 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 92.9 percent, the Norfolk Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 2 Alaskan Klee Kais and 14 Norfolk Terriers.

    Price of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Price of Norfolk Terrier

    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 Norfolk Terrier puppy is $2500. The price of the Norfolk Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Norfolk Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Alaskan Klee Kai is more expensive than the Norfolk Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Alaskan Klee Kai and Norfolk Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Alaskan Klee Kai puppies or how many Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy or the Norfolk Terrier 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.

    Health Problems of Alaskan Klee Kai versus Health Problems of Norfolk Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Alaskan Klee Kai and the Norfolk Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Alaskan Klee Kai is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norfolk Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Alaskan Klee Kai than for the Norfolk Terrier.

    7 health tests are recommended for Alaskan Klee Kai while 5 tests are recommended for the Norfolk Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Alaskan Klee Kais and in Norfolk Terriers.

    Alaskan Klee Kai Health Problems

    Alaskan Klee Kais are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Alaskan Klee Kai puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Alaskan Klee Kai puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Alaskan Klee Kai breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Alaskan Klee Kais for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • VetGen

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Alaskan Klee Kais here.

    Norfolk Terrier Health Problems

    Norfolk Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norfolk Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Norfolk Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norfolk Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norfolk Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norfolk Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier

    Alaskan Klee Kais do not like to be left alone.

    Norfolk Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Alaskan Klee Kais shed more than Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Norfolk Terrier

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

    Norfolk Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Norfolk Terrier?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to groom.

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Alaskan Klee Kai Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norfolk Terrier?

    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.

    Norfolk Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Alaskan Klee Kais Bark and Howl? What about Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Alaskan Klee Kais can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norfolk Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Alaskan Klee Kai vs. Norfolk Terrier

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

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

    Can Alaskan Klee Kais Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Norfolk Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Norfolk Terrier?

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

    Norfolk Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Alaskan Klee Kais good family dogs? What about Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Alaskan Klee Kais and Norfolk Terriers?

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

    Norfolk Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Alaskan Klee Kai Easier to Train than the Norfolk Terrier?

    Alaskan Klee Kais are very easy to train.

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Alaskan Klee Kai Better for Apartment Owners than the Norfolk Terrier?

    Alaskan Klee Kais adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Alaskan Klee Kai or the Norfolk Terrier?

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

    Norfolk Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Alaskan Klee Kai versus Norfolk Terrier. 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 Norfolk Terrier better suits you and your family.