The Canaan Dog, also known as Kelev K'naani, is a recent breed out of ancient Pariah Dog stock, and is the unique project of a pair of scientists, Drs. Rudolph and Rudolphina Menzel, dog experts and world authorities on Pariah Dogs, who loved Pariah Dogs and considered them worthy progenitors of what would become the modern Canaan Dog.
The Canaan Dog was developed from redomesticated Pariah Dog stock captured in the Palestine, where they were first used for guarding and tending cattle and sheep.
Temperament in the Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog is not a man made breed, they are one of the few natural breeds in existence today. They have become domesticated over the years but still possess extremely strong survival instincts, which can make them independent and wary. They are territorial, but not aggressive to people although they can be to other dogs. Canaan Dogs make very good family pets and are protective of their family, both adults and children. At the age of about 10 months Canaan dogs go through an insecure phase. They can be fearful of things they do not know. They will grow out of this as they mature. As a breed Canaans mature slowly and only come into their own at about 3 or 4 years old.
Formal breed standard for the Canaan Dog
General Appearance
The Canaan Dog is a herding and flock guardian dog native to the Middle
East. He is aloof with strangers, inquisitive, loyal and loving with
his family. His medium-size, square body is without extremes, showing a
clear, sharp outline. The Canaan Dog moves with athletic agility and
grace in a quick, brisk, ground-covering trot. He has a wedge-shaped
head with low-set erect ears, a bushy tail that curls over the back
when excited, and a straight, harsh, flat-lying double coat.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--Height at the withers is 20 to 24 inches for
dogs and 19 to 23 inches for bitches. The ideal Canaan Dog lies in the
middle of the stated ranges. Disqualifications--Dogs less
than 20 inches or more than 25 inches. Bitches less than 18 inches or
more than 23 inches. Proportion--Square when measured from
the point of the withers to the base of the tail and from the point of
the withers to the ground. Substance--Moderate.
Dogs generally weigh 45 to 55 pounds and bitches approximately 35 to 45
pounds. Dogs distinctly masculine without coarseness and bitches
feminine without over-refinement.
Head
Elongated, the length exceeding the breadth and depth considerably.
Wedge-shaped, when viewed from above. Slightly arched when viewed from
the side, tapering to stop. The region of the forehead is of medium
width, but appearing broader through ears set low to complete an alert
expression, with a slight furrow between the eyes. Expression--Alert,
watchful and inquisitive. Dignified. Eyes--Dark,
almond-shaped, slightly slanted. Varying shades of hazel with
liver-pointed dogs. Eye rims darkly pigmented or of varying shades of
liver harmonizing with coat color. Fault--Unpigmented eye rims. Ears--Erect,
medium to large, set moderately low, broad at the base, tapering to a
very slightly rounded tip. Ears angled very slightly forward when
excited. A straight line from the inner corner of the ear to the tip of
the nose should just touch the inner corner of the eye and a line drawn
from the tip of the ear to the tip of the nose should just touch the
outer corner of the eye. Ear motion contributes to expression and
clearly defines the mood of the dog. Major Fault--In the adult dog,
other than erect ears. Stop--Slightly accentuated. Muzzle--Tapering
to complete the wedge shape of the head. Length equal to or slightly
longer than the length of the skull from the occiput to stop. Whisker
trimming optional. Nose--Darkly pigmented or
varying shades of liver, harmonizing with coat color. Lips--Tight
with good pigmentation. Bite--Scissors.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--well arched. Balance to body and head and free
from throatiness. Topline--Level with slight arch
over the loins. Body--Strong, displaying athletic
agility and trimness. Chest--Moderately broad and
deep, extending to the elbows, with well-sprung ribs. Loin--Well-tucked
up. Short, muscled flanks. Tail--Set moderately
high. May be carried curled over the back when excited; limited to one
full curl. When extended, the bone must reach to the hocks. Fault: Tail
which falls over to either side of the back.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately angulated. Legs straight. Pasterns
flexible with very slight slope when viewed from the side. Dewclaws may
be removed. Feet--Catlike, pads hard, pigmentation
harmonizing with nose and eye rims. Nails strong, hard, pigmentation
harmonizing with either nose and eye rims or coat.
Hindquarters
Moderately angulated. In balance with forequarters. Straight when
viewed from the rear. Thigh musculature well-developed, moderately
broad. Hocks well-let-down. Dewclaws must be removed. Feet and nails as
in fore-quarters.
Coat
Double coat. Outer coat-straight, harsh, flat-lying, with slight ruff.
Ruff more pronounced on males. Length of outer coat ˝ to
1˝ inch; longer on ruff and back of thighs, shorter on body,
legs and head. Undercoat--straight, soft, short, flat-lying, density
varying with climate. Tail bushy, increasing in plumage from set to end
of bones, then tapering to pointed tip. Faults--Excessively long guard
coat that masks the clean outline of the dog. Any trimming that alters
the natural appearance of the dog.
Color
There are two color patterns. Pattern 1) Predominantly white with mask
and with or without additional patches of color (large body patches are
desirable). Pattern 2) Solid colored with or without white trim. Color
may range from black through all shades of brown - sandy to red or
liver. Shadings of black on a solid brown or tan dog are frequently
seen. The trim on a solid colored dog may include chest, undercarriage,
feet and lower part of leg and tip of tail. In all color patterns
self-ticking may be present. Disqualifications--a) Gray
and/or brindle. b) All white.
Mask
The mask is a desired and distinguishing feature of the predominantly
white Canaan Dog. The mask is the same color(s) as the body patches on
the dog. The basically symmetrical mask must completely cover the eyes
and ears or can completely cover the head as in a hood. The only
allowed white in the mask or hood is a white blaze of any size or shape
and/or white on the muzzle below the mask. Faults--On predominantly
white dogs--absence of mask, half mask, or grossly asymmetrical mask.
Gait
Movement is very important. Good reach and drive. Quick, brisk natural
trot, apparently tireless, indicating an animal capable of trotting for
hours. Covers ground more quickly than expected. Agile, able to change
directions almost instantaneously. Tends to single-track at high speed.
Fault--Anything that detracts from efficient movement.
Temperament
Alert, vigilant, devoted and docile with his family. Reserved and aloof
with strangers. Highly territorial, serving as a responsive companion
and natural guardian. Very vocal, persistent. Easily trained.
Faults--Shyness or dominance toward people.
Disqualifications
Dogs less than 20 inches or more than 25 inches.
Bitches less than 18 inches or more than 23 inches.
Gray and/or brindle.
All white.
Approved: June 10, 1996
Effective: August 12, 1997
