An ancient breed , Canaans are bonk and loyal with their families but upstage with stranger . They are extremely intelligent and a undecomposed scene for experienced dog owners .
Super firm when it come to their kin , Canaan Canis familiaris take their well friend responsibility seriously . Thesemedium - sized dogsare extremely intelligent , passion being part of a family , and do well in a dwelling with children but mostly prefer to be the only pet in a home . expert agree that the Canaan dog stock tends to be a beneficial match forexperienced detent owner .
" Canaan dogs are your devout shielder , " Suzee Camilleri , DVM , veterinarian advisor toKabo , a refreshed dog food for thought delivery society . " For the owner , they are love , fast and will fend for you and your family line member . "
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Highly agile and impudent , some of them are mistaken forGerman shepherdsdue to their similar dead body case and intelligence service , Camilleri says . But this breed that remain somewhatrare in the United Statesis one of a kind .
Appearance
Canaans are wild - see dogs with wedge - mold promontory , cat - corresponding feet , tumid ears , and redundant - bushy rear , accord to theCanaan Dog Club of America(CDCA ) spawn standard . They possess an alert , watchful , and inquisitive saying and their eyes are black and almond - wrought . Occasionally , they ’re misguided for German shepherds , but Canaans are humble in size and some have discern coats .
Athletic dogsthat are intermediate in size , manlike Canaans are 20–24 inches in height and weigh between 45–55 pound , while female wiener are 19–23 inches and weigh 35–45 pounds .
Thesedogs have doubly coatswith an outer pelage that ’s straight , rough , and straight - lying . Meanwhile , the undercoat is soft and light . Coat colors include black , cream , gold , red , tan , and white . Canaan patterns can vary and can be preponderantly white with patches of color or prominent fleck or solid colorful , sometimes with a white passementerie . On a square chocolate-brown or tan frump , there are often shadings of Shirley Temple .
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Canaan dogshave a shake off seasonat least once a year , and , during this time , need to be regularly sweep . But for the most part , they do n’t have an tangled dressing routine .
Temperament
A Canaan frankfurter ’s temperament can be described as spanking , vigilant , devoted , and docile when around their family members . But with strangers , this breed tend to be reserved and aloof .
" Canaan dogs are sensitive and affectionate with their family , but they can be mistrustful of strangers or new thing , making proper socialization essentialfor this breed , " says Annette Louviere , DVM , veterinary proficient backing manager atWisdom Panel .
Because of their alert nature , Canaans can be very outspoken andpersistent barkers . But ashighly reasoning dogs , Canaan hot dog make forgreat training students , according to the CDCA .
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By nature , Camilleri say herd dogs are get it on to their owners and attend up to them for guidance and love life . " In return , they areincredibly loyal creaturesthat will watch over their kinsperson , show band of philia , and are very eager to please , " she says .
And while well - trained Canaan dogscan be bully with children , having one in a home with other pets can be tricky . They are well suited in a one - dog menage , but , if socialized during puppyhood , Camilleri allege they can get along well with another dog . computed axial tomography , however , may not be the best four - legged friends to have around pay Canaan ’s herding nature .
Living Needs
Canaan dogs are active whelp that call for lots of distance , preferably alarge fenced yardto hunt about in .
" They also may have a gimcrack barque , realize them more contributing to rest home that have a larger grand for them to work out in and show off their cryptical , booming vocalisation , " Camilleri says . " Suburban to rural environments are idealistic versus small urban setting . "
Also , due to their alert nature , Canaan pawl get along better in calmer environments where they do n’t palpate constantly on guard , Camilleri articulate . ( Think of all the base dealings outdoors of an apartment complex ! )
With moderate to gamy vigour levels , this strain does require a lot of mental and forcible stimulation . Otherwise , Camilleri says they may become bored and await for vices , like chewing on article of furniture .
Care
When it hail to grooming , a Canaan frankfurter is fairly gloomy maintenance , says Corinne Wigfall , DVM , BVS , BVM , confer with veterinarian withSpiritDog Training . Canaans have a twofold coat with a harsh greatcoat and shorter , softer undercoat . brush on a weekly basis will facilitate absent loose hairs and dirt .
When Canaans are shedding , which happens once or twice a twelvemonth depending on the climate you live in , you ’ll need to sweep your dog on a daily foundation , Wigfall says .
Also , aweekly nail trimis recommended to prevent overgrowing , and pup parent shouldbrush their frankfurter ’s teethon a day-to-day ( or every - other - day ) basis to keep those pearly whites healthy .
education should be easywith these reasoning , teachable detent . Canaans are devout dogs eager to please , sobring on the treatsand head dab as you top short and productive training sessions . You may even want to add somebrain - pursue teaser toysinto the mix because Canaans enjoy mental stimulation , too .
Canaans postulate moderate daily exercise . While exercising demand can vary by cad , Canaans enjoy two walk a day , fit in to the CDCA .
" While daily walk orruns can keep them glad , they also do well withdog mutation like agilityand herding , " Louviere say . But , due to their herding instincts , it ’s a good approximation to keep this stock either on collar or within a batten down , fenced - in domain when exercising .
Health
Canaans arerelatively healthy dogsthat can livelong and levelheaded liveswith lifespans of 12–15 years . However , there are some unequaled health problems that this rarified dog breed faces .
Canaans are prone tohypothyroidism , meaning they do not make enough thyroid hormone , Camilleri says . However , hypothyroidism can be detected betimes and manage with a medication that exchange the endocrine and monitored with yearly testing , she says .
Canaan dogs are also susceptible to an inherited eye disease calledprogressive retinal atrophy ( PRA)that can chair toblindness , Camilleri order . Early sign such as night blindness or dilate pupil can start around three to five years of age . A genetical examination is available for this experimental condition .
There are a number of different musculoskeletal Canaan ’s can get , include : hip joint dysplasia , displaced patella(kneecap ) , anddegenerative myelopathy(which causes weakness in the hind limbs ) . Each term can be diagnosed , regale , and monitored .
" Being observant at home and knowing about the disease can help you pick up mansion early , get to the veterinarian , and aid extenuate disease procession , " Camilleri says .
History
Canaan dogs are an ancient breed advert for the district that is today Israel , Lebanon , and part of bordering country . The Middle Eastern Pariah dog was the savage forefather of Canaan cad , dating back to pre - biblical times and originating in the " country of Canaan,“according to the CDCA .
The Pariah andiron was the guard and herd dog of ancient Israelites , guarding their raft and camp . When the Hebrew population sprinkle , the absolute majority of the dogs sought resort in the Negev Desert where they remained mostly wild , according to breed historians . However , some lived with the Bedouin and help guard herds . They survive mostly on their own up until the twentieth century .
During World War II , Dr. Rudolphina Menzel proposed using the highly intelligent and easily trainable breed to answer as picket dogs , messengers , Red Cross supporter , and land mine locators . Menzel trained more than 400 of the dogs for Middle East Forces during the state of war .
After the warfare , Menzel founded The Institute for Orientation and Mobility of the Blind with Canaan dogs work as guide dogs . The Canaan dog was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1997 .
