Canaan Dog Club of America

CANAAN DOG
DESIGNED BY NATURE
CANAAN DOG CHARACTERISTICS
The breed's feral origins o"er fascinating
glimpses into natural dog behavior.
Wonderfully sensitive, a"ectionate and
responsive, Canaan Dogs are highly intelligent
and devoted family companions. Because of
the their natural drive for self-preservation and
their well-developed sense of territoriality, they
tend to be mistrustful of strangers and new
environments.
The ideal Canaan Dog owner is one who
commits to continuing the socialization started
by the breeder and adds training for good
manners in public and private to the dog's daily
routine.
For More Information
CANAAN DOG CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.
HTTP://CDCA.ORG
† MEET THE BREED ¢
This publication was produced and approved by the Board
of Directors of the Canaan Dog Club of America, Inc., a
non- pro$t organization whose primary objective is to
encourage and promote the responsible breeding of
purebred Canaan Dogs, and to preserve and perfect their
natural qualities and character.
This is the story of the Canaan Dog, the
national dog of Israel. The breed derives from
pariah dog types native to the Land of Canaan
that made themselves
useful to Bedouin and
Hebrew tribes over
thousands of years by
herding and guarding
their !ocks.
The Canaan Dog at a Glance
Dugma, the $rst redomesticated Canaan Dog, on the
Sebulon Coastal Plain c. 1938, before his capture by
Rudolphina Menzel, Ph.D.
HISTORY
Canaan Dogs have square, well
balanced, medium sized bodies and a
graceful brisk and natural trot. Their
noble and re"ned heads, brush tails
con"dently curled over their backs
and solid or pied color patterns make
them a striking sight at home or in
the show ring. Drs. R. and R. Menzel, the founders of the
modern Canaan dog breed, settled in then
Palestine during the 1930s. Their mission
was to create a service dog station, and also
to observe the pariah dogs in the area
"before it was too late." The Menzels
recognized the value of these natural dogs
and their desire to accompany and befriend
their human masters. Their breeding choices
preserved the pariah dogs' hardiness,
frugality, adaptability, acute senses and
intelligence as well as nobility of character
and form.
CANAAN DOGS TODAY
The Menzels trained Canaan Dogs for mine
detection work, where their skill exceeded
that of mechanical devices. Canaan Dogs
worked as watchdogs, sentries, messengers,
search and rescue and Red Cross dogs during
World War II and the Israeli War for
Independence. The Menzels also trained two
Canaan Dogs as leader dogs at the Institute
for the Orientation and Mobility of the Blind
they established in Haifa and trained others
as service dogs.
Canaan Dogs compete in conformation,
herding, agility, rally-obedience, and earn
tracking titles. The lure coursing arena has
become a recent attraction for Canaan Dogs
and their owners. Most importantly, though,
they excel as family members.
Today, Canaan Dogs serve as therapy dogs,
trained by dedicated owners whose dogs
have met the strict requirements of TDI,
Therapy Dogs International or Pet Partners
(formerly Delta Society).