Canaan Dog: Wild For Many Generations
He could be a white sheepdog, but the Canaan dog has its tail curled over its back, which leads us to conclude that it is not a herding dog. The breed even has its own story.
The Canaan dog and its history
The story of the Canaan dog is very interesting: it was a primitive breed that lived in the Middle East and took on the role of herding dog there.
The Canaan dog accompanied the cattle up the mountains and protected them from predators. He also protected the homes of his reference people from intruders.
However, in the second century of the Roman invasion, the area’s population dispersed and the breed became wild animals. They lived freely in the Negev desert and were released into the wild for a long time.
For almost 2,000 years, the Canaan dog was wild but nonetheless dependent on humans. A few of them approached the herds of the people who had stayed, others became pets again.
A great many of the animals survived thanks to the garbage that humans produce.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the residents of the zone needed the help of strong, intelligent dogs with a herding instinct. The Canaan dog was the best alternative and the animals quickly got used to their new role as working or family dogs.
Characteristics of the Canaan dog
It is a medium-sized dog that weighs between 18 and 25 kg. Males are usually slightly larger than bitches, but generally speaking they reach a height of around 50 to 60 cm.
Your body appears square and balanced. They are agile but muscular, like many other herding dogs.
Their head is cradle-shaped, their muzzle is square, and their lips are dark. The head looks wider than it actually is, this is due to the low ears.
These are triangular and the dog wears them standing above his head. They are very agile in all directions and therefore very expressive.
One of the most noticeable features of this breed is their tail. They carry them rolled up over their backs. At first glance it seems like a sheepdog, but these animals have a straight and deep tail. The Canaan dog is actually a primitive dog, just like the huskies, for example.
He has a double layer of fur. The inner layer is woolly and dense, it protects you from the extreme temperatures of the desert. It is very cold at night and unbearably hot during the day. The outer layer of fur is firmer and of medium length.
The Canaan dog comes in different colors: sand, reddish or black. He can have a mask, but it has to be symmetrical. The official norm for breeders does not allow gray, tabby or fire-black animals.
The mask and white marks, on the other hand, may appear in combination with any color.
Behavior of the Canaan Dog
The centuries of wild life have left their mark on this breed. They are independent animals that are very good at solving problems on their own.
Sometimes they are more stubborn than intelligent. They always think very carefully first if it is worth the effort and time before going into action.
The Canaan Dog does not tolerate boredom and inactivity. He is used to always being active or looking for food and to playing with his fellow dogs.
Therefore, this breed needs a lot of mental stimulation. This dog is ideal for long walks in the fields and woods and needs at least three long walks a day.
Because of his independent yet protective nature, he distrusts strangers, both dogs and people. They do not moan for long, but rather, by their barking, draw attention to the fact that something unusual is happening.
However, he rarely shows aggressiveness. He sees it as his job to scare intruders, not to hurt them.
Grooming the Canaan Dog
Since he has only recently approached humans again and the artificial genetic selection has only been taking place for a short time, there are still no increased hereditary diseases in this breed.
Therefore, of course, you should not neglect your health and regular visits to the vet.
You have to keep the vaccinations recommended by your vet regularly. Since this dog loves nature, it is also necessary to dewormer him again and again and also to use remedies against external parasites.
In addition, it should be checked frequently for ticks, spines, thorns and the like in the fur and especially on the paws, paws and ears.
The Canaan dog has been around for centuries, but for a long time it survived in a semi-wild state. However, they easily get used to living with people as long as one respects their intelligence and the need for mental stimulation.
