10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Canaan Dog Breed
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There are some dog breeds that are both popular and well known around the world, such as Labradors and Poodles. Other breeds are less well known across the globe, as they are usually only found in certain parts of the world and are rare in other areas. One such example is the Canaan Dog, which is also known as the Palestinian Pariah Dog and the Bedouin Sheepdog, and there are many things that people do not know about this dog breed. Here are 10 interesting facts about the Canaan Dog breed that you might not know.
1. They Originate from the Middle East
The Canaan Dog is an ancient breed that originates from the Middle East, and they are the national dog of Israel. Although they are predominantly associated with Israel, they live in many other Middle East countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and the Sinai Peninsula. They have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, and they were originally used by shepherds in the desert for herding and droving flocks. However, most of this breed lived wild in the deserts and remained predominantly undomesticated until the 20th century.
2. They Are Often Used as Guard Dogs
Although Canaan Dogs were originally used for herding, they now more commonly work as guard dogs. According to Purina (https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/dog-breeds/library/canaan), the Bedouin tribes use Canaan Dogs to guard their settlements as they can survive the harsh conditions. This breed is also used for guard and patrol work by the Israeli army.
3. Males Are Usually Larger Than Females
While the males and females of some breeds are roughly the same sizes, there are significant differences between male and female Canaan Dogs in terms of both their height and weight. According to the American Kennel Club, the height of males is usually between 20 and 24-inches, while females are usually between 19 and 23-inches. There is a bigger difference in the weight of the sexes, as healthy adult females weigh between 34 and 45 pounds, while males weigh between 45 and 55 pounds. Eating a healthy and balanced diet will also impact the weight of your dog.
4. They Are Available in Various Colors
Most Canaan Dogs are bicolor, and white is usually one of the two colors. They often have patches, and some also have some spotting. Typical markings include darker patches around their eyes and ears and a tail that has a differently colored tip to its base. Canaan Dogs usually have a black nose and brown eyes. Other than white, some of Canaan Dogs’ color variations include black, cream, golden, tan, red, and liver.
5. Canaan Dogs Shed a Lot
Canaan Dogs have a coat that is straight and coarse, with longer hair on their curved tail. It is a double coat with an abundant undercoat, and they are known to shed a lot of hair, with clumps often coming out in handfuls. You will need to give your Canaan Dog a good brushing once a week. In the warmer months, their shedding increases. At this time, you will need to increase your grooming regime and brush your dog every day. You will also need to give your dog a bath regularly. Not only will this help to reduce shedding, but it will also keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy.
6. Early Training Is Essential to Avoid Dominating Behavior
Canaan Dogs have strong personalities. Although they are domesticated, they have retained some of their wild survival skills, and this means they are very independent. Sometimes, these personality traits lead to an adult dog wanting to dominate their owner as they see themselves as the pack leader. To avoid issues arising with your Canaan Dog relating to their dominance, you must start training early, and you must include socialization in their training to give them some experience of mixing with strangers and other dogs.
7. They Are Loyal and Territorial
Two of the personality traits of Canaan Dogs are loyalty and territorialism. They are extremely loyal to their family, although they are not trusting of strangers and new environments. Although they are territorial and protective, they do not tend to have an aggressive streak towards people, and they are fine around children. On the other hand, they may not take well to other dogs, so you should be aware of this if you have other dogs.
8. Canaan Dogs Are Best Suited to Homes with Plenty of Room
Due to their size and their need for physical activity, the best environment for Canaan Dogs to live is in a house that has plenty of room and outdoor space. Although apartment-living is not the best option for these dogs, it is possible if you have a larger apartment and you can commit to taking your dog for a walk or a run for an hour every day.
9. There Are Drawings of Canaan Dogs on Beni-Hassan Tombs
Evidence of this ancient dog breed living amongst humans for thousands of years comes in many forms. One example of evidence is the drawings of dogs resembling Canaan Dogs that are seen on the Beni-Hassan tombs. Beni-Hassan is an Egyptian cemetery near modern-day Minya. Some of these drawings date back to 2200-2000 BC. There are also artifacts that are four thousand years old that bear markings resembling Canaan Dogs
10. Canaan Dog Can Live for Up to 15 Years
Canaan Dogs’ lifespan can vary from 12 years up to 15 years, and there are many factors that may impact a dog’s lifespan. Some of these include their weight, their exercise regime, their diet, and their general health. Canaan Dogs are generally considered a healthy breed and the breed is not linked to specific health conditions. To give your Canaan Dog the best chance of living a long and healthy life, make sure they get exercise every day and eat a healthy and balanced diet.
