Are you looking for an intelligent dog known to be quick at learning? Look no further as we are to explain one of the oldest and smartest breeds, coming directly from Israel.
The Canaan Dog is an ancient breed that was once used as a guard dog and herder in its native Israel. It is still used as a working dog in many parts of the world, but it has also gained popularity as a loyal and loving family pet.
If you consider adding a Canaan Dog to your home, read on!
History of Canaan Dogs
The Canaan dog is an ancient Israeli breed initially used as a herding and guard dog in the Middle East. Some might say it’s the national dog of Israel.
They are thought to be descended from the same ancestors as the other herding and guard dog breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog, Briard, and Beauceron. Even back then, the dogs had smooth coats, prick ears, and bushy tails curling over their backs, which marks today’s Canaan dog appearance.
What’s extremely interesting about this dog breed is that archeologists found artifacts similar to this particular breed, dating back 4,000 years. But the exact time and date when the breed was developed remain unknown– it has vanished in the rearview mirror of history.
We strongly believe that the ancestors of this breed group helped people at the A.D.e by herding livestock and guarding property.
Additionally, it is believed that when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem back in 70 A.D, many Israelites had to leave their dogs behind and run away from their homes without their most loyal companion.
That must have hurt them deeply that the lovely dogs that were with them every step of the way had to live in horror and ruins the Romans left behind.
So they were left with no choice but to return to the wild, where the Canaan dog continued his life, remaining unchanged and undomesticated until the 20th century.
At the beginning of the 20th century, people began domesticating these canines again. Some found their place as service dogs in the military and law enforcement, while others once again returned to their habits – to be guardians of the household.
Who was Rudolphina Menzel?
Rudolphina Menzel, a professor of animal and comparative psychology at the time, tried to develop a dog that would help Jews in their time of need.
Dr. Menzel took the task very seriously, and after some time, she gave them back something they weren’t aware they were missing- a loyal companion she took the liberty of calling the Canaan dog.
The breed quickly proved its worth, serving as sentry dogs, Red Cross helpers, and even locators of wounded soldiers during World War II.
When introduced to the task, she immediately thought of the desert tough guard dog, and even though it took her six months to capture one, the dog was very easy to domesticate. She even drove the bus along with the dog. From that moment, she acquired more and started a breeding program.
After World War II, many wounded soldiers needed guide dogs to help them with their life. That’s why many Canaan dogs continued their career path as guide dogs for the blind in the 1950s, right after the war.
In September 1965, Mendez sent Ursula Berkowitz the first Canaan dogs in the United States of America. A few years later, they introduced the Canaan dogs to the Palestine Kennel Club, a breed of over 150 developed dogs.
The Canaan dog was recognized by the Israeli Kennel Club in 1955 and by the FCI in 1963. Additionally, this overly alert dog it’s the oldest recognized breed by the American Kennel Club in 1997.
Characteristics of Canaan Dogs
The Canaan dog often referred to as a “pariah dog,” is also known as the Palestinian Pariah Dog or the Bedouin Sheepdog.
The Canaan dog is a medium-sized breed with erect ears and a wedge-shaped head, adorable from the moment they are born. All that, coupled with those adorable brown puppy eyes, make for their inquisitive expression, a breed that may be a living portrait of early domesticated dogs.
But besides their wild-type appearance, there is much to learn about this brilliant dog breed.
Did we catch your attention yet? If yes, you are probably thinking about getting one for your home, but what about their characteristics? Can they quickly adapt to every environment?
Do they love kids, and how friendly are they with strangers? These are some of the questions that we will touch upon in just a second.
Adaptability
The Canaan dog is an alert and watchful breed that can quickly adapt to different environments, whether you live in the country or the city.
Canaan dogs will do best with an owner who can provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation as they are very active dogs. They are agile and tireless, so their perfect home would be with hikers and runners.
However, if you decide to keep them in small apartments, they can quickly adapt to the place. After that, you’ll just need to take them for regular walks and give them plenty of exercise.
Cans have a strong herding instinct and can be suspicious of strangers, so early socialization must prevent shyness or aggression.
Because Can is a patrol dog and extremely territorial, they are not known as friendly dogs. However, proper socialization training can also increase friendliness towards strange dogs and animals.
Trainability
Being developed to serve in the military to help the Jews later re-trained to become guide dogs, we stand firmly behind the idea that they can be trained for everything.
However, they became harder to train as guide dogs because of their independent nature and medium length, but they still managed to help many wounded children.
While the Canaan dog is not a good fit for first-time dog owners, it tends to be an excellent match for experienced dog owners because they require more training and care. But since they get bored easily, please avoid any harsh training methods, keep the training sessions short and give them a lot of treats and praise.
Often aloof and reserved with strangers, dog owners need to pay extra attention whenever their dog is exposed to a new environment. However, with the proper training and socialization, the canine will certainly be one friendly dog, always around to play with. Some even consider sending their puppies to a puppy kindergarten class.
When it comes to dog sports and other activities, Cans are very versatile. They are quick learners and will undoubtedly understand any dog sport or activity you train them.
Even though they still retain their primitive herding skills, their herding instinct is not as powerful as other herding breeds.
Canaan Dog Care
Because of their aloofness and strange behavior toward strangers, Cans can be a handful for first-time owners. But if you are so inclined to have this primitive breed in your home, even if you are a first-time owner, don’t worry as much – with proper training, patience, and early socialization, it will be way easier to care for.
But besides being wary of strangers, you still need to learn about their grooming rituals and how to care for this particular breed group.
Coat Color And Grooming
The Canaan dog has a double coat. The outer coat is straight and harsh on touch, whereas the undercoat is soft and short. The thickness of the undercoat depends on the climate in which he lives.
Often their outer coat is white with marking of black, cream, red, brown, and grey. They can also be a mixture of two or more colors.
If you decide to keep the dog at home, expect to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes.
We know how frustrating it can be, just as you are to wear that black t-shirt, dog hair is attached to the shirt. But, the moment the Canaan dog stares at you with their lovely puppy eyes, you won’t remember why you were nervous in the first place.
That said, this breed is considered to be a bit low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. However, despite the occasional bath, Canaan dogs require more frequent brushing in the shedding season.
Also, the nails need to be trimmed.
More About This Dog Breed
The personality of Canaan Dog
Besides being good-looking, the Canaan dog has an endearing and responsive personality.
Even though people perceive them as unfriendly dogs, only interested in maintaining control (because it’s a herding dog), they can be friendly with friends and families. But only if introduced from a very young age.
An adult dog, without proper training, is often very territorial and could even attack strangers.
Size of a Canaan Dog
Canaan dogs, as we said, are medium-sized dogs. Males stand at 20-24 inches tall at the shoulder with a shoulder weight of 45-55 pounds, whereas females are smaller and stand at 19 to 23 inches and have a shoulder weight of 35 to 45 pounds.
Life Span of Canaan Dogs
If you are a pet owner, you know that life without a dog is unbearable. And that’s why we are looking and trying for ways to keep our furry best friends a little longer, be it with a great nutrition diet or regular vet checks.
The life span of these purebred dogs is 12-15 years. So make sure your dog’s life, however long it lasts, is filled with love and cuddles.
Interesting Facts About the Canaan Dog!
Let’s see some insightful facts about this national dog of Israel breed group.
Canaan Dog Temperament
Canaan dogs have undergone several behavioral adaptations which helped them survive in the desert all those years. These canines had to move quickly yet be extremely quiet because they were out in the open most of the time. Not only did they quickly catch their prey because of their alertness, but this also helped them stay away from predators, as well.
But they are very territorial and will sound whenever they sense danger ahead. The vocalization warns predators they’ve been spotted, but it also alerts the pack to come for help.
Ears
Just like the desert fox and other animals living in places with extreme temperatures, the Canaan dog has pointy-shaped ears that protect this magnificent dog from the hot weather. In addition, the several blood vessels in the ears help Canaans keep their body cool during hot weather by carrying warm blood from the body’s interior to the thin ear skin.
However, not only do the pointy ears help Canaan dogs survive in extreme temperatures, but they also help them collect sounds to stay away from predators.
Double Coat
Since Canaan dogs are desert animals, they were bred to survive on the coldest nights and the warmest days in the desert, so naturally, they have a double coat, meaning they have two layers of hair. Each layer has a different function to protect the dog from various climate changes.
The inner layer is wool-like, which protects the dog from the extreme temperatures of the desert, whereas the outer layer is medium-length and repulses dirt and moisture.
Besides Cannan dogs, other dogs living in extreme climates have a double coat. Some of them are the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd.
Did you know that the first Canaan dog was brought from Lebanon to the UK in 1965 before being recognized in the AKC? The Canaan dog first entered in the American Kennel Club in June 1989 and was recognized as a breed group in 1997.
Common Health Problems
Overall, the Canaan dog is generally a healthy breed and is not prone to many health issues. However, every canine breed has the potential to develop genetic health problems.
Canaan dogs, in general, have some hereditary health issues such as:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Eye issues
- Thyroid issues
Diet and Nutrition
These canines require well-balanced high-quality dog food.
So it’s up to you whether you are to give them commercially manufactured or homemade with your veterinarian’s approval. Just ensure it’s filled with nutrients that promote good health in canines.
With that said, it’s worth noting that the amount of food will significantly depend on various factors, such as activity level, size, and age. So, naturally, an active dog will eat more than a lazy one (do you think French Bulldogs eat as much as Canaans?). But generally speaking, Canaans require two meals a day.
Instead of leaving food in the food bowl all the time, fed them two measured meals a day. That way, your dog can cherish the food and won’t become one picky eater.
When it comes to treats, treats are a great training aid, but if you exceed the daily limit, it can lead to obesity and health problems. That’s why you must give them treats in moderation.
Before giving them any human food, learn which food is dog-approved and which is not. And never, ever take measures in your own hands and give them leftovers- they may be either toxic or cause digestive problems.
Lastly, clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Where to Adopt a Canaan Dog
Canaan dogs are pretty rare in America, but you can always check the local shelter or specific breed organizations, or a pet store to see whether a Canaan dog is waiting for adoption.
For further info, always refer to the following:
- The Canaan Dog Club of America
- Canaan dog rescue groups
Even if we said that Canaan dogs are rarely found in shelters, many Cans require fostering. Contact the national breed club to help you with your search to see if there is a rescue group nearby.
If you are interested in buying one, expect the price to vary between $800-$1200. Always buy from reputable breeders to make a good bargain, as reputable breeders tend to screen their breeding dogs and breed only the healthiest specimens.
FAQs
Bottom Line
The Canaan dog is a rare, intelligent, loyal breed that can make a great companion for the right owner. They can be great guard dogs and loyal companions with proper training and socialization. If you are considering adopting one, refer to the article above to make sure it’s the right breed for you.
Sources
Related topic: Mountain dog breeds
*photo by Wirestock – depositphotos
