You will find the Canaan dog is not as popular as some breeds, but they make wonderful pets when you consider their loyalty, ability to work, and of course the affection they share with their owners. The Canaan dog breed began about 2000 years ago in the Middle East. They were then brought to World War II for guarding, patrolling, and tracking. Since then they have been popular in Israel, Europe, the UK, and the US.



The Canaan is usually recognizable due to its powerful body. They are usually white or cream in appearance. They are also single colored. They have pointed ears to help them track and hunt, with a short, relatively narrow muzzle. They have a fairly lengthy tail, but a height of 19 to 24 inches. They usually weigh between 35 and 55 pounds making them a medium dog breed. The coat is usually two layers with a dense undercoat providing them with the warmth they need. They are a heavy shedder during the summer months.

Canaan is usually a very active dog breed. They are intelligent, affectionate, and very loyal. You will find that they are also agile and hardy. They tend to sense danger, track other animals, and have a lot of energy. You will find they tend to become overly attached to family members, but are very wary of strangers. They do not do well with little children and should not be left for long periods of time. They are happy when they have some type of job to do.

They are also not good around small pets or other types of dogs. They have been used for herding in the past as well. This dog needs an active owner who will be around for most of the day. They do not do well in homes with two working adults. Training is important with socialization as well as obedience. They need an owner who is going to be the master rather than subservient. When training make sure that you are fair and consistent. Harsh words will not go over well and can make them unhappy. They can be easily bored with repetition.

For care you will find that daily exercise is needed. Usually if you take the Canaan for a walk in the morning and evening for a half hour or more they will be content as long as they have a backyard. You will find they do best with jogging, and playing in open areas. Mental as well as physical exercise is needed. They like to have tasks as well as fun. Games where they need to think can be great for both of you. They are not good in apartments. You will also find that they are rather easy to groom.

The short hair allows for brushing once a week to take care of the dead or loose hair. Care also includes the proper nutrients. You will want to provide enzyme rich food as well as protein. Most often a natural diet is the best for these dogs. The Canaan suffers from hypothyroidism, elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as patella luxation. It is important to check their eyes and ears daily as well. They can have problems with site later in life.