Information on AKC Canaan Dog Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Caanan Dog
Inquisitive, loyal and loving with his family, the Caanan Dog is a breed that moves with athletic agility. Today, he is successful in the herding, obedience, agility and conformation arenas. This breed has two color patterns: either predominantly white with a mask, with or without additional patches of color, or solid colored with or without white trim.
A Look Back
The Canaan Dog, the natural breed of Israel, dates back to Biblical times, originating in the Land of Canaan. The Canaan Dog was the guard and herd dog of the ancient Israelites, guarding their camps and flocks. In anticipation of Israel's War of Independence and WWII, Dr. Rudolphina Menzel recruited and trained more than 400 of the best dogs as mine detectors for the Middle East forces, and they proved superior to the mechanical detectors.
On September 7, 1965, Ursula Berkowitz of Oxnard, California, imported the first four Canaan Dogs with the idea of establishing the breed in the United States.
Right Breed for You?
While the Caanan Dog is highly territorial, the breed is docile with his family, yet reserved and aloof with strangers. He may be very vocal at times. This breed will need regular exercise, but is easily trained. His short coat requires minimal maintenance.
If you are considering purchasing a Caanan Dog puppy, learn more here.
- Herding Group; AKC recognized in 1997.
- Ranging in size from 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and 35 to 55 pounds.
- Sheep herder.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Canaan Dog Breed Standard
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 ½ to 1½ 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
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