The Canaan Dog is Israel’s national dog and and one of the AKC’s oldest breeds. This placid, medium-sized pasture dog is aloof with strangers. Canaan is a noisy, insistent flock and home guardian. The straight, rough coat comes in many colors and patterns. The Canaan Dog has inquisitive ears and almond shaped eyes. Canaans trot quickly. They’re tough, agile, and relentless, perfect for hikers and runners. Canaans are smart, confident, and territorial. They are not a dog for passive owners. Socialization and early instruction are crucial Their work ethic shows via agility, obedience, herding contests, and sentry duty.
Males measure 20 to 24 inches in height, while females measure 19 to 23 inches. The usual weight range is 45 to 55 pounds for males. Females weigh from 35 to 45 pounds.
The Canaan Dog is usually a healthy dog breed with the life expectancy being 12 to 15 years.
Canaan Dogs take their name from the region that is now Israel, Lebanon, and a portion of neighboring nations. Herds and flocks were fundamental to Israelite daily life in the biblical era. Animals were raised for food, leather, and wool as well as for use in the solemn ritual sacrifices that have been a long-standing tradition. Scripture from the Christian, Hebrew, and Muslim faiths frequently makes reference to sheep and shepherds, demonstrating how important pastoral life was to early Semitic communities.
Canaan-like dogs are shown on artifacts dating back to 4,000 years, but the exact year the breed was formed is one of those canine events that is no longer visible in history. We can suppose that these dogs served as the herding, droving, and security dogs for shepherds for thousands of years.
