The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred Canaan Dog

Information and Pictures

Maccabee the Canaan Dog is looking to the right and standing in a field of sticks

JK Maccabee Northern Warrior aka Maccabee the Canaan Dog at 3 years old

Other Names
  • Kelef K'naani
  • Israeli Pariah
Pronunciation

key-nuh n dawg

Description

The Canaan Dog is medium-sized and squarely proportioned. The head is wedge-shaped with a shallow, but defined stop. The muzzle is the same size or slightly longer than the skull and tapered. The nose is varying shades of liver depending on the coat color. The teeth meet in a scissors bite; a level bite is accepted in the FCI standard but not the AKC. The almond-shaped eyes are slightly slanted and come in shades of hazel. The eye rims are varying shades of liver depending on the coat color. The ears are erect and mobile. The neck is well arched. The legs are straight. The tail is set high and may be carried over the back when the dog is excited. The cat-like feet have hard pads. Dewclaws may be removed. The Canaan Dog has a double coat. The outer coat is harsh, lying flat with a slight rough and the undercoat is straight and soft, lying flat. Coat colors include solid black, tan, brown, sandy, red, liver, white, or in a patched pattern of liver and white, brown and white, black and white, with a symmetrical mask matching the color of its patches. Solid colors may have white trim on the chest, feet and tip of the tail. Note: the FCI standard allows solid white dogs, but the AKC and the Canaan Club of America standards do not. Dogs with red coats are either born creamy white and then darken or dark reddish brown and then lighten.

Temperament

Not only does the Canaan Dog excel as a herder, but it has also proven itself in a variety of tasks involving dependability and obedience such as agility, tracking and herding trials. They work well as a team, but at the same time can think independently. Will respond to positive, motivational training if the owner mixes things up, but will get bored with repetition. This very intelligent breed can do exceptionally well in obedience. Devoted, gentle and loyal, they like their families. A naturally protective, independent guard dog as well as an excellent watchdog that has an instinct to defend their territory, the Canaan Dog will bark a lot if allowed to get away with it. He has a higher dominancy level and can be aggressive with dogs so he needs an authoritative owner who can communicate that aggressiveness toward other dogs is an unwanted behavior. Active, alert and docile, they are very friendly with those they know. They should be well socialized, preferably when young with both dogs and people, especially with children, as the breed tends to be naturally wary of strangers. In order to successfully keep a Canaan Dog the family must achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success.

Height, Weight

Height: 19 - 24 inches (48 - 61 cm)

Weight: 35 - 55 pounds (16 - 25 kg)

Health Problems

Generally healthy.

Living Conditions

The Canaan Dog will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. Its dense undercoat protects the dog from extreme temperatures, whether they be hot or cold—so it can live outdoors, but also makes a wonderful housedog.

Exercise

This is a working dog that will not be happy just sitting around. They need a lot of exercise and mental and physical challenges, which include long daily walks, or a daily jog, along with herding exercises, a strenuous game session along with a challenging training session.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Litter Size

About 4 to 6 puppies

Grooming

The Canaan Dog is a very clean breed with no doggie odor. It is easy to groom. Comb and brush once a week, taking extra care when the dog is shedding. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.

Origin

The Canaan Dog originated in the 1930s in the land of Canaan out of breedings of the wild dogs of Israel, which dated back to biblical times working as guard and herding dogs for the Israelites. Drawings of dogs which looked like the Canaan Dog were found in tombs that date back to 2200 BC. Arab desert-dwelling groups (Bedouins) still use the dogs for guarding their camps and sheep and for herding the flocks. The breed's founder, Dr. Rudolphina Menzel trained more than 400 Canaan Dogs to use in mine detection work for the Middle East forces. The dogs were able to detect mines better than any mechanical devices. In 1965 he imported four dogs to the United States by ship on the western shores. These first four imports had coat colorings of white with black masks and patches. Later imports introduced a variety of other color patterns. Some of the Canaan Dog's talents include search and rescue, war sentry, messenger, mine detector, tracker, herder, guard and a guide for the blind. The Canaan Dog was first recognized by the AKC in 1997.

Group

Southern, AKC Herding

Recognition
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • CDCA = Canaan Dog Club of America
  • KC = Kennel Club
  • CDC = The Canaan Dog Club (UK)
  • ICDCA = Israel Canaan Dog Club of America
  • ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
Lola the white Canaan Dog is laying on a white tiled floor and looking back behind her

Lola the Canaan Dog from Greece—"A clever dog, sporty and full of energy. She barks a lot and likes to hunt cats and insects."

Lola the white Canaan Dog is sitting on a carpet and looking to the right with her mouth open and tongue out

Lola the Canaan Dog from Greece

Lola the white Canaan Dog is laying down with her head on a throw rug and her body on a white tiled floor

Lola the Canaan Dog from Greece

Right Profile - A white Canaan Dog is standing on a blacktop and a person is behind it and looking to the left

Babrees Desert Orchid Via Caoilta, owned by Pam O'Loughlin

A black and white Canaan Dog is standing in dirt with a wall of greenery behind it and looking back towards its tail

Photo courtesy of Chris Miller, River Rock Farm

Cyrus the tan Canaan Dog is standing on a blacktop surface in front of a wooden house

Cyrus the Canaan Dog

Ishta the tan Canaan dog is chained up sitting in front of a dog house which is in front of a stone wall. There's a dog food bowl in front of him.

Ishta at 5 years old

Close Up - Ishta the tan Canaan dog is laying outside in grass at night and looking towards the camera holder

Ishta at 5 years old

Close Up - Ishta the Canaan dog is yawning and stretching outside in dirt

Ishta at 5 years old

Taffy the chocolage Canaan dog is standing in a doorway on a tiled floor and licking its nose

Taffy the Canaan Dog at 1 year old