The Canaan dog is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds still alive today. Drawings in tombs dating to 2000 BCE have been located depicting a dog that bears striking resemblance to today’s modern Canaan dog. Because Middle Eastern herding dogs in ancient history were used to keep their herds from straying and to protect the flock from predators, it is assumed that the Canaan dog was used for the same purposes. For a brief period in time, these dogs lost their place in society and retreated to the hilly deserts. It was in 1935 that the dogs were acquired by Dr. Rudolphia Menzel, and a breeding program began. The new generation of Canaan dog was trained for bomb detection, sentry work, and message delivery during World War II. Four dogs were imported to the United States in 1965. The breed became officially recognized in 1997 by the American Kennel Club.
The Canaan Dog is one of the most pure breeds in existence and it does not look like other herding breeds but shows great strength, agility and endurance like most herding breeds. It has long legs and is athletic and fast. It has a double coat with a soft undercoat and a coarse, straight outer coat. This breed sheds a lot so it needs regular brushing.
Personality
The Canaan is a very smart and has strong instincts. It is an obedient dog that is friendly, loyal and amiable. It can be territorial and is very protective of its family. It needs daily mental and physical exercise and challenges and loves to run or herd. It is reserved towards strangers and sometimes aggressive towards other dogs. This breed also likes to make noise.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Herders |
| Origin: | Asia |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Herding |
| Life Span: | 12-14 Years |
| Nicknames: | No nicknames known |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Canaan Dog Build Information
The Canaan Dog is one of the most pure breeds in existence and it does not look like other herding breeds but shows great strength, agility and endurance like most herding breeds. It has long legs and is athletic and fast. It has a double coat with a soft undercoat and a coarse, straight outer coat. This breed sheds a lot so it needs regular brushing.
| Size: | Medium |
| Length (Male): | 19-25 in. |
| Length (Female): | 18-20 in. |
| Weight: | 26 – 40 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 4 – 5 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The Canaan is a very smart and has strong instincts. It is an obedient dog that is friendly, loyal and amiable. It can be territorial and is very protective of its family. It needs daily mental and physical exercise and challenges and loves to run or herd. It is reserved towards strangers and sometimes aggressive towards other dogs. This breed also likes to make noise.
| Activity Level: | Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Moderate |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Dominating |
| Energy Level: | Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | Yes |
| Independant: | Yes |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
The Canaan dog has a double coat that is designed to insulate it from harsh desert climates. The climate that the dog lives in determines how thick the coat is. Professional grooming is not necessary, and the dog rarely needs to be bathed. Weekly brushings will keep the coat clean.
| Colors: | Black, Black & Cream, Cream, Gold, Liver, Red, Tan, White |
| Shedding: | Seasonal |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Dense |
Canaan Dog Common Health Conditions
If you are looking for a dog that does not suffer with any genetic health issues, the Canaan dog is it. This breed has no health issues that it is predisposed to. Like any other dog, it may be susceptible to gastrointestinal issues, ear infections, allergies, and injury. Routine veterinary exams can help to ensure that your Canaan dog is as healthy as it can be.
Canaan Dog Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
Get a Free Pet Insurance Quote
Breed Talents and Facts
These dogs are not far removed from their somewhat feral ancestry. They are not for first time dog owners. Unlike other breeds that require socialization only as a puppy, this breed requires lifetime socialization in order to get along with other animals and strangers. Canaan dogs are known to be dog aggressive, particularly to dogs of the same sex. These dogs do not make good guard dogs because they perceive almost everything to be a threat. This is a breed that enjoys digging; do not leave it alone in your yard if you don’t want holes. There are only about 1,600 Canaan dogs left in the world; they are considered rare. The Canaan dog is not known by any other names.
| Training: | Very easy to train |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | Yes |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | Yes |
| Police Performer: | Yes |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | Yes |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
