HISTORY
The Canaan Dog is an ancient breed resembling the wild dog type which
has survived in Israel through at least 4,000 years of history. Canaan
Dogs are pariah dogs which live on the fringes of civilization and are
frequently used by the Bedouin as flock and camp guardians. In 1934, Dr.
Rudolf and Prof. Rudolphina Menzel immigrated to Israel, then known as
Palestine. They undertook the study of pariah dogs and the Canaan Dog in
particular, becoming the driving force behind its preservation. Prof. Menzel
bred and trained Canaan Dogs, primarily for military work. In 1965, Prof.
Menzel exported four Canaan Dogs to the United States where they became
the foundation stock for American and Canadian Canaan Dogs.
The Canaan Dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club
in 1992.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Canaan Dog is a medium-sized, well-balanced, strong and square
dog, with a wedge-shaped head; erect, low-set ears; and straight, harsh,
dense coat of short-to-medium length. The correct relationship of height
to length of body is 1:1. The tail is bushy, set on high, and is carried
curled over the back when the dog is alert or excited. This breed is presented
in a completely natural condition with no trimming. Moderation and balance
must always be considered when evaluating this breed.
CHARACTERISTICS
The essential characteristics of the Canaan Dog are those which have
enabled them to survive for centuries in the desert. The Canaan Dog gives
the impression of elegance, but is sufficiently substantial to stand up
to jackals, hyenas, and wolves. They are intelligent and adaptable to wide
extremes of lifestyle and climate.
The character of the Canaan Dog is based on their instinct
for survival and sense of territoriality. They are extremely vigilant and
alert, quick to react; distrustful of strangers, both human and animal;
and strongly defensive but not naturally aggressive. Their first reaction,
when confronted with an intruder is not to attack but to stay out of reach
and bark continuously. Canaans of both sexes may be aggressive with other
dogs, particularly in their own territory. Canaan Dogs are extraordinarily
devoted and amenable to training but consider themselves the equal of those
with whom they live. Canaans raised with children are very gentle with
and extremely protective of them.
This breed matures slowly both physically and mentally
and individual dogs may not reach their prime until as late as four years
of age.
NECK
The neck is very muscular and long enough to give a balanced, elegant
appearance.
HEAD
The head is a well-proportioned, wedge shape that is moderately broad
between the ears and tapers evenly toward the muzzle. Head length is approximately
twice the width of the skull. Males should look powerfully masculine without
coarseness and bitches should look feminine without over-refinement. From
the front, the sides of the wedge taper evenly from the ears to a full
muzzle, without prominent cheeks or a pinched muzzle. When viewed from
the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by
a shallow but definite stop.
SKULL
The skull is moderately broad between the ears and tapers toward the
muzzle. At its broadest point, the width of the skull should be approximately
equal to its length. The low set of the ears makes the skull appear broader
than it is. A disproportionately narrow skull is to be penalized. Viewed
from the side, the topline of the skull is slightly flattened.
MUZZLE
The length of the muzzle, measured from stop to the end of the nose,
is equal to the length of the skull, measured from occiput to stop. The
jaw is strong and the muzzle is full and well-filled in under the eyes.
When viewed from the side, the line at the underjaw is almost parallel
to the top line of the muzzle. Lips are black and tightly closed.
TEETH
The Canaan Dog has a complete set of qood-size, evenly spaced, white
teeth meeting in a scissors or level bite.
NOSE
The nose is solid black. In some light-colored dogs, the pigment of
the nose may fade somewhat during the winter months. This is not desirable
but should not be severely penalized. In profile, the nose is on the same
line as the top of the muzzle and extends somewhat beyond the lower jaw.
EYES
The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely.
Dark brown eyes are strongly preferred. Lighter eyes are less desirable
and the lighter the eye, the more serious the fault. Hazel or yellow eyes
are serious faults. Dark eye rims are essential.
EARS
The ears are relatively short and broad, prick, and set low. The ears
are slightly rounded at the tips and point slightly outward although they
can be drawn nearly upright when the dog is alert. The ears are mobile
and react sensitively to sounds. Ears should be fully erect by the time
a dog is one year of age.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are moderately laid back and muscular. The scapula and
the upper arm form an angle of about 110 degrees. When standing, a line
dropped from the highest point of the withers would pass just behind the
forelegs. The muscles of the upper leg are firm and well-developed. The
forelegs are straight, with strong, moderately short , very slightly sloping
pasterns, and moderate bone. The shoulder blade and the upper arm are roughly
equal in length. The upper arm lies close to the ribs but is still very
mobile, with the elbow moving close to the body.
BODY
The Canaan Dog is a square dog. His height, measured from the withers
to the ground, should equal his length of body, measured from point of
shoulder to point of buttocks. The topline inclines very slightly downward
from well-developed withers to a level back. A sloping topline must be
faulted. The back is well-muscled with a short, strong loin. The ribs are
well sprung out from the spine. The chest is deep and moderately broad.
When viewed from the side, the lowest point of the chest is immediately
behind the foreleg. The forechest should extend in a shallow oval shape
in front of the forelegs. The belly is well tucked up. The croup is short
and relatively level.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are powerful with very muscular and moderately broad
thighs. The rear legs are moderately angulated. The hocks are well let
down and perpendicular to the ground when viewed from any angle. Viewed
from the rear, the hocks should be parallel to each other.
FEET
The feet are of medium size, strong, round and cat-like, with hard
pads. Nails are strong and hard. Dewclaws may be removed.
TAIL
The tail is a thick brush set on high. When the dog is alert or excited,
the tail is carried in a loose curl over the back.
COAT
The Canaan Dog has a double coat. The outer coat consists of straight,
dense, harsh-textured short-to-medium length hair. The undercoat is close-fining,
dense, profuse, and downy in texture. The neck is well-furnished with hair,
which forms a protective ruff blending into the apron. The buttocks are
lightly feathered and the tail is well-furred. Correct coat is essential
to survival in the desert so an incorrect coat, including the absence of
undercoat, is a serious fault.
COLOR
Canaan Dogs may be solid color or spotted. Acceptable colors include
any shade between cream and red-brown, including sand, gold, or red; white;
or black. Dogs may be masked or not, but if masked, the mask must be symmetrical.
Black mask and white markings are permitted on all colors. Black shading
on red or sand-colored dogs is acceptable. Gray and liver are unacceptable
colors. Brindle, black and tan, or tri-color are unacceptable color patterns.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
Desirable height ranges from 20 to 24 inches, measured at the withers.
Desirable weight ranges from 40 to 55 pounds. Dogs are distinctively masculine
in appearance compared to bitches and may be considerably larger.
GAIT
The natural gait of the Canaan Dog is an effortless, ground-eating
trot. It is a short, quick, agile gait which enables the Canaan to change
direction instantly, leap effortlessly, or just trot for hours without
tiring. Correct movement is essential in this breed.
FAULTS
The Canaan Dog has survived for thousands of years in the desert. Any
deviation from the standard which compromises that ability should be penalized
in proportion to the degree of the deviation.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Wariness has great survival value, so Canaans often back off slightly when
approached by a stranger. This aspect of Canaan temperament should not
be penalized. However, dogs displaying extreme shyness, panic, or fear-biting
should be disqualified. There is no place for this in domestic stock.