Canaan Dog Breed History, Description, Health Issues, Grooming, Temperament and Living Conditions

Description: The Canaan Dog is a medium-sized dog that is 19 to 24 inches in height, and weighs in at 35 to 55 pounds. This breed is squarely balanced, whose head is wedge shaped. The muzzle is the same size as the head and has a tapering look. The nose colour is dependant on the colour of the overall body, in varying shades of liver. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite or a level bite depended on the dog. The eyes are almond in colour, and are slightly slanting. The eye rims are various shades of liver. The ears stand erect, and mobile. The neck is arched. The tail is set high and may be carried over the back with excitement. This breed has long straight legs ending in cat like feet, with hard padding. This breed has a double coat, the outer coat, lying flat, is harsh and slightly rough, the undercoat is soft and straight. Colours include tan, brown, sandy, red, liver, white and solid black. Their coats can come in patched patterns of white and liver, black-and-white, brown and white. These have a symmetrical mask, matching the colour of the patches. Some clubs allow solid white, but not all do. White trim to the chest and feet and the tip of the tail is accepted by all.

History: The Canaan breed's origins go back to 1930, in the land of Canaan. It was based upon the wild dogs of Israel. These dogs had worked from biblical times, as the herding and guard dog of flocks. The Bedouins, an Arab desert dwelling group of nomads, still use the dogs today. They have been used in the Middle East, by the Armed Forces to detect buried mines, and it was discovered they could detect mines better than mechanical devices. Some of their many talents are in guides for the blind, search and rescue, as messengers, guard dog, and herder. This breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1997.

Temperament: The Canaan Dog breed has a lot to offer, not only in its traditional role as a herder. It has shown itself to be dependable, agile, and so has found a new place for these talents in tracking and hunting trials being able to work well as a team. They can also think independently. They are devoted and loyal to their families, and instinctively protective and guarding. Training has to happen to control the level to barking this dog may show. This dog needs strong leadership, as it can be aggressive and very domineering over other dogs. They are very friendly with people they know well, but socializing them well with both people and dogs from a very young age is recommended. This is not the best breed with children. It is partly due to the dog's strong sense of order within their pack. This dog will thrive happily with a single leader that is strong and fair.

Health issues: The Canaan Dog breed has good general health with no reported problems. Grooming: This is a clean breed, which is easy to groom. Weekly grooming is all this dog requires and extra when the dog is shedding.

Living conditions: The Canaan Dog will benefit from at least an average sized garden. This breed can live in an apartment, providing their exercise needs are met.