Canaan Dog
A primitive-type dog from the Near East, the Canaan Dog is alert, intelligent and remarkably well suited to hot, dry climates.
History and origins
The Canaan Dog descends from semi-feral dogs that have lived in the Near East for thousands of years. In the 1930s, cynologist Rudolphina Menzel selected these dogs to create a guard and working dog.
The breed is recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.
Temperament
Alert, intelligent and very attached to its family, the Canaan Dog is wary of strangers and barks to signal any intrusion. It can be territorial with other dogs.
It learns quickly with positive training but gets bored with repetition.
Health
This is a very hardy breed with few known inherited problems. Hip dysplasia and some eye conditions are monitored.
Regular veterinary check-ups are usually enough.
This is general information. For any question about your dog's health, consult a veterinarian.
Feeding
Good-quality food matched to its activity suits it.
Avoid excess weight.
Exercise
It needs an hour or more of daily activity: walks, games, agility and tracking.
It likes to dig and patrol.
It is a good guardian for a house with a garden; its barking makes apartment life difficult.
Grooming
Its short double coat needs weekly brushing, more during moults.
It is clean and has little odour.
