Breeds / Medium
Canaan Dog puppies
Alert, watchful and self reliant, the Canaan Dog is an ancient pariah type from the Middle East. They are devoted to their own family, naturally suspicious of strangers, and vocal about anything they think needs announcing.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Israel
- Adult weight 15.9 to 24.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 35 to 55 lb
- Adult height 48 to 61 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double and smooth
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog is a pariah type from the Middle East, a landrace that lived semi wild in the region for thousands of years before being gathered up and developed into a working breed in the twentieth century, first for guarding and messenger work. This is a squarely built, medium sized dog with prick ears, a bushy curled tail and a harsh double coat. They are alert, self reliant and cautious, devoted to their own people and openly suspicious of strangers.
Exercise needs are moderate: daily outings plus training or dog sport to occupy a clever, independent mind. Grooming is easy, though the double coat drops heavily at least once a year and wants frequent brushing then. The breed barks, a great deal, and keeping that in bounds takes real work. Early and continued socialisation is the whole game with a Canaan, because the natural wariness hardens into reactivity quickly if it is not addressed while the dog is a puppy.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Canaan Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by radiographic hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Progressive retinal atrophy, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Hypothyroidism, screened by a thyroid blood panel
- Patellar luxation, found on a patella evaluation
Your Canaan Dog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Canaan Dog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 24.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24.9 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Canaan Dog
Previous: Calupoh · Next: Canadian Eskimo Dog
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Canaan Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/canaan-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Giora Sluzky, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.