How to Identify a Canaan Dog

The Canaan dog is a herding breed native to the Middle East. As a herding breed, he must have a good reach and good drive. The quick trot should be natural, brisk and tireless. This agile breed can turn on a dime. While reserved and aloof with strangers, this vigilant breed is very docile with his family. This is a highly territorial breed, and is a very responsive companion and natural guardian. The breed is vocal and shows persistence, and is easily trained.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Note the general appearance. The Canaan dog's medium-sized, square body has a clear, sharp outline. It has a wedge-shaped head with low-set ears that stand erect, a bushy tail and a double coat that lays flat.

2. Look at the size of this breed. Males should be 20 to 24 inches at the withers, and females should be 19 to 23 inches at the withers. This is a square breed, and when measured from the point of the withers to the base of the tail and from the point of the withers to the ground, it should be very close in measurement. Males weigh in at 45 to 55 pounds and females weigh 35 to 45 pounds.

3. Check the elongated head. The length should exceed the breadth and depth by a good amount. It is wedge-shaped when looking down on the dog. The ears are set low on a medium width forehead, giving this breed an alert expression. The eyes are dark almond-shaped eyes, and are slightly slanted. They may be varying shades of hazel in liver-pointed dogs. The eye rims are darkly pigmented, or in the case of liver-colored dogs, may be varying shades of hazel. The erect ears are medium to large and taper to a slightly rounded tip. The ears move forward when this breed is excited. You can tell what mood this breed is in by looking at her ears. The nose is darkly pigmented, or may be varying shades of liver in liver coated dogs.

4. Look at the body of this breed. The body should be strong and display athletic agility. The chest is moderately broad and deep. The tail is set moderately high, and may be carried curled over the back when excited. The tail should only have one full curl. When the tail is extended, the vertebrae should reach the hocks. The tail should never fall over to either side of the back. The forequarters come with moderately angulated shoulders and straight legs. The feet are cat-like with hard pads. The hindquarters are also moderately angulated and balance with the forequarters. The dewclaws may be removed. The rear feet, like the front, are cat-like with hard pads. The tail is bushy and has increasing plumage from the set to the end of the bones. It tapers to a point.

5. Feel the harsh outer coat. This breed has a double coat, and the outer coat lies flat and has a slight ruff. The outer coat should be ½ to 1 ½ inches, but longer on the ruff and the back of the thighs. The undercoat is straight, short and soft and also lies flat. The density of the undercoat varies with the climate. There are two colors for this breed. The first color is predominately white with a mask and may or may not have additional patches of color. The second color is a solid color and may or may not have white trim. The color can range from black to any shade of brown (sandy to red or “liver”). The trimmings on a solid color dog may include the chest, undercarriage, the feet and lower part of the leg and the tip of the tail. There should be no gray or brindle colors, nor should there be all white dogs.

6. Check out the mask. This is the distinguishing feature of the Canaan dog. The mask is the same color as the body patches. It completely covers the eyes and ears and looks like a hood. The dog may have a white blaze or some white on the muzzle under the mask. The mask is on predominately white dogs, and is considered faulty if the mask is missing, the dog has a half mask or the mask is asymmetrical.