| Alternative Name Kelev K'naani
Basic Info
The Canaan Dog is a breed of dog that has existed in
the Middle East for centuries. They are a typical pariah
dog in appearance. They have a medium build, natural
upright ears, and a short to medium double coat, with a
harsh, flat outercoat and soft undercoat. Color ranges
from black to cream and all shades of brown between,
usually with small white markings, or all white with
color patches. Measurements Height: 19-24 inches (48-61
cm) Weight: 37-57 pounds (16-25 kg)
Behavior
They are natural, aloof, independent dogs. The breed
is intelligent and learn quickly, but may get bored with
repetitive exercises or become oblivious to commands if
they find something of more interest. They are cautious
with strangers, and will alert to any disturbances with
prompt barking, thus making them excellent watchdogs.
The breed is prone to wandering and must be in a
fenced-in yard.
Origin
Israel
History
They began in ancient times as a pariah dog in
Israel. This dog is one of the oldest, dating back to
biblical times. The Canaan Dog was the guard and herd
dog of the ancient Israelites, guarding their camps and
flocks. They were plentiful in the region until the
dispersion of the Israelites by the Romans in the 2nd
Century, CE. As the Hebrew population dropped, the
majority of the dogs sought refuge in the Negev Desert,
a natural reservoir of Israeli wildlife. Avoiding
extinction, they remained undomesticated for the most
part, although some lived with the Bedouins and earned
their keep by guarding the herds and camps. Some were
also guards for the Druze on Mount Carmel. They survived
this way until Dr. Rudolphina Menzel came up with the
idea to use these intelligent scavenger dogs mainly
found in the desert, as guard dogs for the scattered
Jewish settlements. She initiated a selective breeding
program to produce the breed known today.
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