[Alty]

My cousins daughter, who is like my own daughter, wants to purchase a puppy. She has her heart set on an Alaskan Klee Kai.

I didn't know anything about the breed, so I researched it. So did she. Her and her husband are both well suited to this breed and its temperament.

Now comes the hard part, finding a breeder. They're a fairly new breed, so there aren't a lot of breeders out there. I did find one in our area, but there's a waiting list, and it's for years. She really doesn't want to wait years. I get that.

She was thinking of getting a puppy shipped from the US, since there seem to be more breeders there. But I told her I'd be weary of that. Getting a puppy sight unseen is never a good idea, and personally I don't trust any breeder that would ship a puppy to someone they haven't met. In my experience legit breeders are very particular about who they sell to.

She's looking to buy in Canada, specifically Alberta. Does anyone have any info that I'm not finding? I'd really like to help her find a puppy.

I did find rescues for this breed, but from the research I've done, it's best to get a puppy if you have other pets in the home. They're hunters, and unless they're raised with the other pets, they will likely hunt them, and kill them. So a weary scared rescue AKK, wouldn't be ideal for this family.

Any help or info would be appreciated, especially if you're familiar with this breed.

[virginia]

I would advise against going to a breeder, for the reasons you listed and others. Has she thought about checking out the dogs at the local shelter? The shelter will have beautiful pups there who, given the chance, will be grateful and loyal. And likely have a longer lifespan. And! she can meet them and chose the right pup / with the best match for her family & home.
I mean, seriously, check out these faces! AARCS | Adoptable Dogs

[Alty]

virginia, I appreciate your post. I'm a rescue advocate, and have many rescued pets in my home already. If you read my posts you'll see that I promote rescue on this site. I have already urged her to consider a rescue instead. If that were something she was interested in, I wouldn't be asking about breeders for this certain breed.

She wants this specific breed, and she wants a puppy. This breed is fairly rare and not easy to find. Finding this breed in a rescue as a puppy, is something I've already looked into. It's not an option.

A breeder is the only option if she is going to get the breed of her choice near to where we live.

I do appreciate that you are promoting rescue dogs. I feel the same way. But my question was about a specific breed, and finding a registered breeder in my area for that breed.