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Breeding &

Testing

I take breeding seriously.  With any breed, a professional, ethical and decent breeder will ensure that a minimum lists of tests and assessments are carried out before deciding whether a dog is suitable for breeding or not.  A dog may seem to be healthy but there are results in certain tests that would deem a dog unsuitable or unfit for breeding.  Only by testing, assessing and monitoring is it possible to know.  This continues even after a dog has been bred from because the monitoring of their own continued suitability as well as their offspring's health is part of the whole process, a bred dog does not automatically stay suitable.  Sometimes a dog may whelp or sire one litter and the result may be that they should not continue breeding, despite their health, tests and assessment so it is very much a complete and constant process not a complacent one. 

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In the Alaskan Klee Kai breed, there are specific tests that should be carried out as a minimum (see below).  With the exception of the colour genetic tests for the K, A, B, D & S Locus which are optional for those interested in colour genetics of the breed like myself, all other tests should be carried out by a breeder.  

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If a breeder you have found is not carrying out some or any of the following tests, or claim to be but cannot, do not or delay in providing evidence of results, regardless of what excuses they give or how lovely and genuine they seem - trust me from experience, you should strongly question why and probably avoid them.

Alaskan Klee Kai are pedigree registered with the United Kennel Club in the USA.  

 

As with any registered breed, there is an official Breed Standard.  Only those that conform are allowed to be registered, only registered AKK are allowed to be bred.  

 

All of the dogs at or used by Northern AKK are registered and proof is provided to anyone who visits or wishes to see it.

Irrespective of excuse or length of time breeding, the following tests are deemed the minimum for the breed.  If that breeder claims to be breeding for the better of the breed or that they have been breeding for years or had many litters, etc but does not do the following tests or tracking results by descent with traceable, legitimate records, or provide evidence to you then they are simply not breeding for the better of the breed and most likely for money.  Just because someone has been breeding longer does not necessarily mean they have been doing it right all that time. Please be mindful of this when finding a breeder but rest assured we are happy to show all potential adopting puppy parents the evidence of testing and registration so you know you are in safe hands with us.

 

It's not all doom and gloom, we do know breeders here that work and test properly as they should and we are happy to inform you of those as we believe good breeders should work together in improving the breed.  If we do not have the type, colour or size of dog you are seeking at the time you are ready, you may be on a waiting list or we are happy to point you to one of these reputable breeders who may either have at that time, may be due a litter or may have dogs we know to have potential to produce those.  Please note though if you have a wish list for a specific combination of coat colour, size, eye colour, etc you may have to wait longer than others. e.g. double blue-eyed black & white coats with full 4-point masks are not often seen in the UK so expect a longer wait for those.  

 

Rest assured we will never point you to breeders we know to be a risk.

It's not how long, it's what you do with it.

Click here to see that Northern AKK

are the only UK Breeders

to be listed on the

Official UKC Breeders List.

The following tests should be carried out on a breeding Alaskan Klee Kai as a minimum.  

Northern AKK do all of the following on any dog in the breed program to determine whether suitable to be in the breed program in the first place.  Any dog that doesn't meet a minimum standard in any of the results doesn't make the breed program.  

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  • Factor VII Deficiency.

  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis by IDEXX laboratories.

  • Congenital Cardiac Disease.

  • Luxating Patellar.

  • Hip/Pelvic Scoring Exam (female dogs).

  • Cryptorchid Exam (male dogs).

  • Genetic Colour Testing.

    • Genetic Colour Test - E Locus​ (essential).

    • Genetic Colour Test - K Locus (optional but recommended).

    • Genetic Colour Test - A Locus (optional but recommended).

    • Genetic Colour Test - B Locus (optional but recommended).

    • Genetic Colour Test - D Locus (optional but recommended).

    • Genetic Colour Test - S Locus (optional).

  • Opthalmology Eye Exam by an ACVO Diplomat.

  • Coefficient of Inbreeding

  • Ancestry Loss Coefficient

  • Relationship Coefficient

  • Mean Kinship Coefficient

  • Genetic Diversity performed by UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

  • Structural Evaluation at 8 weeks of age +/- 3 days (Pat Hastings method).

  • Puppy Aptitude Test at 49 days of age (Volhard method).

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If adopting a puppy from us, only some of these tests will have been done by the time you pick them up.  If the puppy is on a Potential Breed contract, the other tests an exams not yet completed will be done when they are old enough and only if they been deemed fit for breeding at that time.  Remember, sometimes a dog can have all tests, evaluations and exams done and seem fit for breeding and have all the money and time spent doing so but still not be suitable for one reason or another or could have one litter and we decide that a further litter is not recommended even if all test results were perfect and despite any investment of time an money.  This is one way to know we are committed to making sure we only breed ethically and properly.  The health and wellbeing of the dogs for a very long time, their whole life is number one priority. 

Which Tests?

Registration & recording of test results

Most tests are on the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) website under each breed.  Many of the tests should be registered with OFA who then issue a certificate.  Anyone can then search their database to ensure a dog has been tested and registered.  OFA require evidence of testing before they will issue a certificate or add a tested dog to the database.  

 

You should always ask your breeder what the registered name of the Dam (mother) and Sire (father) of the pups is so you can check to ensure they have both been tested, assessed and examined for breeding suitability.  If they are not on the database you should ask why.  Some breeders choose not to register the results to save money as it costs between $7.50 and $35 per test (around £5.70 to £27.50 - OFA are in the USA, so registration has to be sent to the US) and as you can see above there are quite a few but you should ask to see the results if they are not on the database.  Never just take a breeder's word for it, we know too many that say they test when we know they do not.  Ask yourself is it worth high vet bills and your furry companion potentially suffering? 

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To check the OFA Database you can click below to go to their website advanced search. Click Alaskan Klee Kai then type in the UKC registered name of the dog.  

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Click/tap here to go to the OFA Website dog records search

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While registering results with OFA is not essential, it is good practice and helps the global breed program among reputable breeders.  While it costs a breeder money to register with OFA, the reason the database is there is ultimately for the purpose of assisting breeders with easy access to health information so anyone not registering is most likely doing so to try to save money which can have a significant negative effect on the breed and/or hinder other breeders.

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