Canaan

also known as Kalef K39;Naani, Canaanite Dog

Pros History


The Canaan Dog is an ancient breed of pariah dog that originated in the Middle East, specifically in the area known as Canaan, which is present-day Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon. The breed has been used for centuries as a general-purpose herding, hunting, and guarding dog by the nomadic Bedouin tribes. They are considered as a natural breed, as they have not been selectively bred for specific traits.

The breed's origins can be traced back to ancient times, where they were used as a general-purpose herding, hunting, and guarding dog. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1997 and by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1999.

The breed's development can be traced back to the ancient Middle East, where they were used as a general-purpose herding, hunting, and guarding dog. The breed was officially recognized by the Israeli Kennel Club in the 1940s, and it was imported to other countries, mainly to the United States, where they were used as companion dogs and in various other roles.

One interesting historical fact about the Canaan Dog is that they were believed to be the domesticated descendants of the pariah dogs that have lived in the Middle East for thousands of years. They have lived alongside human populations, but they have not been selectively bred for specific traits. They have survived and evolved through natural selection.

Another interesting fact is that, the breed was almost extinct after the Second World War. The Israeli Army used them as sentries during the War of Independence, and many were killed or abandoned after the war. The breed was saved from extinction by Dr. Rudolphina Menzel, who collected, studied and bred the remaining canaan dogs and established the breeding program.

Breed Information


Type

Is Canaan a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Canaan name? How do you say Canaans?

key-nuh n dawg

Purpose

What were Canaans originally used for?

sentry, messenger, and assistance

Lifespan

How Long Do Canaans Live? What is average life expectancy for a Canaan? How long can Canaans live?

12-14 years

The average Canaan lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Canaan Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Canaan?

What is the average height of a Canaan? How big is a Purebred Canaan height? Canaan dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 20-24 inches (50.8 - 61 cm) 16.5 inches (41.9 cm) 20.0 inches (50.8 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm)
Female 19-23 inches (48.3 - 58.4 cm) 15.5 inches (39.4 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm)
What is the average weight of a Canaan? How much should Canaans weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 45-55 pounds (20 - 25 kg) 22.5 pounds (10 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg)
Female 35-45 pounds (16 - 20 kg) 20.0 pounds (9 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Canaans get fat easily?

The Canaan is a dog breed that has a low to average risk for obesity. This means that they are less likely to gain weight than some breeds, but it is still important to monitor their food intake and ensure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.

Hypoallergenic

Are Canaans Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Canaan is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Canaan personality? What are Canaan dogs best known for?

Alert
Devoted
Vigilant
Cautious
Quick

Shedding Level

Are Canaans heavy shedders? How Much Does a Canaan Shed?

Canaan dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Canaan. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Canaan dog?

The Canaan dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Canaans come from?

Israel

Ancestry

What are Canaans descended from?

indian wolf

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Canaan breed?

American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Canaans first bred? How old is the Canaan breed?

ancient times

Canaan Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Canaan eyes?

Hazel

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Canaan nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Canaan coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
Red
Pied
White

Coat Length

How long is a Canaans coat?

The coat of a Canaan dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Canaan Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Canaan?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Canaan have in a litter? How many puppies can a Canaan have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Canaan can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Canaans are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Canaan Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Canaans have a lot of health problems?

The Canaan is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Canaan?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Canaans?

Patellar Luxation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Mono/Bilateral Cryptorchidism
Epilepsy

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Canaan breed?

Blood
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Canaan Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Canaans have a lot of energy?

Canaans are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Canaans need socialization? How social are Canaans?

Canaans have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Canaans get?

The Canaan dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Canaan have? Do Canaans sleep a lot?

Canaans dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Canaan drool a lot?

The Canaan is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Canaans tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Canaans exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Canaans mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Canaan running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Canaan dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Canaans enjoy doing? How do I keep my Canaan busy?

Sniffing, Road trips, Hiking, Long walks

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Canaan? How much energy does a Canaan have?

Medium

Canaans are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Canaan walk each week? How many miles should a Canaan walk every week?

10 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Canaan, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Canaan should exercise a day? How much activity does a Canaan need?

45 minutes

In general most Canaans usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Canaan?

The Canaan is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Canaan?

Weekly

Canaan should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Canaans?

Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Canaan eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 45-55 pound (20 - 25 kg) Canaan feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Canaan Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Canaan is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Canaan Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Canaan is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Canaan Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Canaan?

The Canaan have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Canaans lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Canaan dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Canaan dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Canaan do well in apartments? Are Canaans good indoor dogs?

Canaans are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Canaans good with kids? Are Canaans good around children?

A Canaans typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Canaans good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Canaans good with cats? How friendly Canaans are toward cats?

Canaans are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Canaans can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Canaan dogs get along with other dogs? Are Canaans OK with other dogs?

Canaans are below average dog friendly dogs. Canaan dogs may not always get along well with other dogs they have not been raised with,

Pet friendly

How do Canaan dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Canaans friendly with strangers?

Canaans are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Canaans like to play? Are Canaans playful?

Canaans have an average level of playfulness. The Canaans, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Canaan easily trained?

Canaan dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Apartment Friendly
    Canaan are the perfect breed for apartment living.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
    The risk of Canaans becoming obese is generally low to average.
  • Intelligent
    Canaan are intelligent dogs that are easy to train.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    While beloved by many, Canaans may not be appropriate for those with allergies due to the possibility of allergic reactions.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Canaans are not recommended for households with cats.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Canaans are not suited to the office environment
  • High energy
    Canaan are high energy dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Without enough exercise, they can become bored and destructive.
  • Prone to certain health issues
    Canaan are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, bloat, and eye problems.
  • Grooming needs
    Canaan require regular grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Their coats need to be brushed regularly.