Dog breeds :
Canaan Dog / Chien de Canaan / Kanaan Hund / Kelef K'naani
The Lion of Judah At Anacan, owner: Mrs E M Minto
General
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.
Temperament
Alert, quick to react, distrustful of strangers, strongly defensive but
not naturally aggressive. Vigilant, not only against man but other animals as well.
Extraordinarily devoted and amenable to training.
History
The Canaan Dog is an ancient breed resembling the wild dog type which
has survived in Israel through at least 4000 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.
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