GROUP 7 - NON SPORTING

Brief History
The Canaan Dog has survived in the desert region of Israel for thousands of years. Believed to be the dog breed that the Hebrews used in biblical times to herd and guard their flocks and encampments, some are still used by Bedouins and Druse for this purpose today.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 12 to 15 years. 

Temperament
Alert, quick to react, distrustful of strangers and strongly defensive but not naturally aggressive. Vigilant, not only against man but other animals as well. Extraordinarily devoted and amenable to training.

General Breed Description
A medium sized, well balanced, strong and square dog resembling the wild dog type. There is a strong distinction in looks between the sexes. Colours come in sand to red-brown, white, black, or spotted, with or without a mask. If masked, the mask must be symmetrical. Black mask permitted on all colours. White markings are permitted on all colours with "Boston Terrier" patterns being common. Grey, brindle, black-and-tan or tricolour are unacceptable. Desert colours, sand, gold, red, cream, are most typical of the breed.

Coat and Care requirements
The Canaan Dog has an outer coat which is dense, harsh and straight, of short to medium length. Undercoat is close and profuse. This is a low maintenance breed that only requires regular bathing.

Size
Height: 50 to 60cms (20 to 23.5ins). Males can be considerably larger than females.
Weight: 18 to 25kgs (40 to 55lbs).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Canaan Dog is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Epilepsy and eye issues.

Suitability
As a natural guard and herding breed with a protective instinct, he is distrustful of strangers. Owners of this breed must respect and understand this temperament.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  

https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/breeds/breed-standards/Canaan-Dog