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Canaan Dog breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Canaan Dog one of its oldest breeds and the national dog of Israel: a quick, medium-sized pasture dog, docile with family and aloof with strangers.
The ever-alert Canaan Dog is a vocal, persistent guardian of flock and home.
Temperament
Clever, confident and territorial, Canaan Dogs will end up owning passive owners who have not established themselves as top dog in the family pack. They are also sensitive, affectionate and responsive, devoted family companions.
They are highly intelligent and readily trained, though a natural drive for self-preservation and a well-developed sense of territory shape how they behave.
Lifespan
Canaan Dogs live 12 to 15 years. They are healthy. A small group of dedicated breeders communicates regularly and works together for the betterment of the breed.
Care
Canaan Dogs stay clean and need fewer baths than other moderately active breeds. The double coat has a harsh, flat outer layer over a softer undercoat. It sheds heavily at least once a year, when brushing needs to be frequent.
A moderate amount of exercise suffices and Canaan Dogs adapt to various living situations when given daily outings. Lean, rugged, agile and apparently tireless, they fit hikers and runners and dog sports from tracking to herding to carting give them an outlet.
History
Canaan Dogs are named for the territory that is today Israel, Lebanon and parts of neighboring countries. For Israelites of biblical times, herds and flocks were central to daily life: food, leather, wool and ritual sacrifice.
Artifacts going back some 4,000 years carry inscriptions of dogs that look much like Canaan Dogs, though when the breed was developed is not known.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 4 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 5 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 3 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |