Canaan dog standing alert in an outdoor setting, with upright ears and a curled tail, looking ahead.

Canaan Dog: Astounding Facts, Diet, Lifespan

Canaan Dog Scientific Classification

Kingdom               Animalia

Phylum                    Chordata

Class                            Mammalia

Order                           Carnivora

Family                           Canidae

Genus                              Canis

Scientific Name:           Canis lupus

Canaan Dog Locations

Asia

Canaan Dog Facts

Origin                           Middle East

Size                                 Medium

Exercise needs           Moderate to high

Training needs            Moderate

Temperament              Alert, intelligent

Skin Type                            Hair

Lifespan                         12 – 15 years

Group                             South

Diet                                 Omnivore

Weight                            25kg (55lbs)

2 Pros and Cons of Owning a Canaan Dog 

Pros

Love to exercise

Canaan Dogs are active and like to do almost every kind of outdoor activity. You can take them with you for running, hiking and hunting.

Low maintenance

They need more coats and want deficient maintenance. If you are looking for a dog that sheds at a minimum level, this breed is the best choice.

Cons

Strong prey drive

In the wild, these dogs’ prey-drive capability is necessary for survival. In the domestic environment, they show aggression toward other animals. Please monitor your dog’s behaviour when it is around other pets.

Digging and chewing

These dogs love to dig in the garden and chew on toys, especially when they don’t get sufficient exercise. Please keep your pet entertained so that they don’t create destructive behaviour.

Canaan Dog Breed History and Origins

The Middle Eastern herding dogs of the past kept their charges to protect them from predators and sounded the alarm when danger was near. But over the centuries, with the conquest of the Roman Empire and the distribution of the land inhabitants to the far places of the earth, these dogs became unemployed. After that, they started living in the deserts, earning a living with the Bedouin dwellers or working as guards for the Druse.

For centuries, these dogs have lived in the deserts, but in 1935, world events decided to bring them back into human society. Isolated Jewish settlements in Palestine require guard dogs that can stand in desert conditions, and the area armed forces are looking for a dog that can withstand the harsh desert conditions. Dr. Menzel and her husband need many of the desert dogs and have started breeding this dog breed, recording and refining their bloodlines. They trained their new breed dogs for many works, sentry works, and land mine detection, and they were active with Middle East forces during World War 2.

After the war, these dogs were taken for other purposes, such as guide dogs. In 1948, the Palestine Kennel Club recorded 150 of them. The United Kennel Club identified the breed in 1992, and the American Kennel Club in 1997.

Canaan Dog Personality

Canaan Dog is attentive, vigilant, dedicated, and loving with his family. He’s aloof towards the foreigners, though he should never be violent and highly territorial. He is sure to bark when anyone comes to the door, so keep him away so that you can control the situation.

The breed needs extensive socialization and exposure to many different places, people, sights, and sounds, not just during puppyhood but throughout life. A puppy who has been exposed to many situations will be less stressed when confronted with something at adult age. If you want to compete your Canaan with any dog, training and socialization are necessary for your success.

They can experience a fearing period that starts at 9 to 12 months of age and lasts about a year. They may be very anxious about strangers and bark at seemingly innocuous objects. Temperament is affected by many factors, such as training, heredity, and socialization.

Canaan Dog Lifespan and Health

This dog breed is energetic and healthy, so the typical lifespan of Canaan Dog is around 12 to 15 years. However, this dog breed is disposed to many problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. Sometimes, this breed gets hypothyroidism, which may also cause lethargy, abnormal weight gain, and other metabolic diseases. In some cases, this breed is prone to epilepsy. You can prevent your dogs from these diseases by regular veterinary checkups.

A black and white Canaan dog with pointed ears, standing on a snowy surface under a clear blue sky.
The average lifespan of the Canaan Dog breed is 12 to 15 years.

Canaan Dog Food

The recommended amount of daily food is 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals.

The amount of food your adult dog eats depends on its size, age, metabolism, and activity level. All dogs don’t need an equal amount of energy. A highly active dog needs more food than a lazy dog. The quality of the food you buy may also play a central role in the nourishment of the dog. To keep your dog healthy, give him food two times a day, not all day.

Canaan Dog Size and Weight

Canaan Dogs are average-sized exile dogs with skinny trunks, little fur, and curly tails. The average weight of a male is 45 – 55 pounds, and the height is 20 – 24 inches, while the female measures 35 – 45 pounds, and the height of a female is 19 – 23 inches.

Height and Weight of Males

Height (Male)                  20 – 24 inches

Weight (Male)               45 – 55 pounds

Height and Weight of Females

Height (Female)            19 – 23 inches

Weight (Female)          35 – 45 pounds

Canaan Dog Puppy Price

The average cost of a puppy from a trustworthy breeder is $1,500 to $2,000. Depending on where the dog is bred, transportation charges are extra. Luckily, puppies live well with family and do not need the extra expenses outside the traditional cost of keeping an animal.

Maintenance and Grooming

They have small coats that need very low maintenance. They need minimum shedding and almost no trips to the groomer. As these dogs are native to the desert, their coats naturally tend to protect them from dirt, moisture, and other natural ingredients. To keep your dog fresh, brush it once or twice a week, bathe it once a month, and trim its nails regularly.

A light-colored Canaan Dog standing on snow, with a curled tail and pointed ears, looking into the distance.
Canaan Dogs have small coats that need very low maintenance.

Canaan Dog Exercise

Canaans are very active and need to exercise many hours a day. They do best in houses with a yard or another area where they can run around. Otherwise, try to take them on a walk for at least 40 minutes daily. If your dog does not get proper exercise, he will show destructive behaviour such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.

Canaan Dog Training

Canaan dogs like to study, and they are easy to train. You can start working with your puppy as you get home from the breeder. Keep in mind that to make you a strong leader as soon as possible, these dogs are pack animals, and they will try to dominate if they feel that family is not being taken care of.

Canaan Dog Puppies

Puppies with nice personalities are snooping and spirited, ready to approach people and help them. Because of their loving nature, they are quite good with their children. Puppies are caring and easy to train. As these are social animals as a puppy, they do not do well if left alone for a long period. For better results, at least one member of the family should be around until they are mature. Before you buy a puppy, meet at least one of their parents, if available, to confirm that they have nice temperaments that you are comfortable with. Meeting siblings and relatives is also helpful in determining how the puppy will look when fully grown.

Popular Names for Canaan Dogs

  • Shadha
  • Yeira
  • Nijah
  • Zarifah
  • Zeki
  • Tavi
  • Lyron

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do Canaan Dogs bark a lot?

The Canaan is attentive, vigilant, dedicated, and loving with his family. He’s aloof towards the foreigners, though he should never be violent and extremely territorial. He is sure to bark when anyone comes to the door, so keep him away so that you can control the situation.

Are Canaan Dogs rare?

This dog is an amazing problem solver. She is also affectionate, loving, and protective of her family. This rare and ancient dog breed was bred in Israel for herding and guarding flocks at home.

Are Canaan Dogs friendly?

Canaan is attentive, alert, keen, and affectionate with his family. The breed needs socialization and exposure to many different places, people, sights, and sounds, not just during puppyhood but throughout life.

Are Canaan Dogs easy to train?

These dogs like to learn, and they are calm to train. You can start working with your puppy as you get home from the breeder. Keep in mind that to make you a strong leader as soon as possible, these dogs are pack animals, and they will try to dominate if they feel that family is not being taken care of.

What is the lifespan of Canaan Dogs?

This dog breed is energetic and healthy, so the typical lifespan of Canaan Dog is around 12 to 15 years. However, this dog breed is disposed to many problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

Are Canaan Dogs expensive?

The average cost of a puppy from a trustworthy breeder is $1,500 to $2,000. Depending on where the dog is bred, transportation charges are extra. Luckily, puppies live well with family and do not need the extra expenses outside the traditional cost of keeping an animal.

Are Canaan Dogs healthy?

This lively and healthy dog breed has an ordinary lifespan of almost 12 to 15 years. However, it is inclined to various problems, like elbow and hip dysplasia. Sometimes, it develops hypothyroidism, which may also cause lethargy, abnormal weight gain, and other metabolic diseases.

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