Alt Names: Kelev Knaani Country of Origin: Israel

History: The Canaan Dog began in ancient times as a pariah dog in Israel. This dog is one of the oldest, dating back to biblical times.

The Canaan Dog was the guard and herd dog of the ancient Israelites, guarding their camps and flocks. They were plentiful in the region until the dispersion of the Israelites by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. As the Hebrew population dropped, the majority of the dogs sought refuge in the Negev Desert, a natural reservoir of Israeli wildlife. Avoiding extinction, they remained undomesticated for the most part, although some lived with the Bedouins and earned their keep by guarding the herds and camps. Some were also guards for the Druze on Mount Carmel.

They survived this way until Dr. Rudolphina Menzel came up with the idea to use these intelligent scavenger dogs mainly found in the desert, as guard dogs for the scattered Jewish settlements. She initiated a selective breeding program to produce the breed known today as the Canaan Dog.

Appearance: The Canaan Dog comes in more colors than almost all other registered breeds. Its shape, body type, and size can vary widely, but the dogs are generally of medium size and often black and white. Other possible colors include tan, golden, or cream. Their bodies are generally lean with a distinctive shape.

Males are distinctly masculine with coarse hair, while bitches are expected to be feminine, without over refinement. Height: 19-24 inches (48-61 cm) and Weight: 37-57 pounds (16-25 kg)

Temperament: Canaan Dogs make good house pets. When treated kindly, the dogs work hard and are not aggressive. Extremely intelligent and good at problem solving, these dogs are very useful even in today's society. The breed is loyal and loving.