The Canaan Dog

1
The Canaan Dog

• Presentation to AKC Judges Seminar
• December 10, 2005
• Boston, Massachusetts

2
ORIGINS
BREED HISTORY

• Country and Region of Origin

ISRAEL specifically the Land of Canaan
3
ORIGINS
BREED HISTORY

• Foundation Stock
• The Canaan Dog is derived from Pariah Dog Types 3
  2
• There are no manufactured breeds used in its
  development

Photo Courtesy of HaAretz Canaan Dogs
Photo Courtesy of Cherrysh My Canaan Dogs
4
Purpose or function

• Early Use
• Pariah Dogs are versatile and were used through
  the centuries as primitive herding and watch
  dogs, and as companions at the camps of the
  Bedouin and Hebrews

BREED HISTORY
Photos Courtesy of the British Canaan Dog Society
5
Purpose or function
BREED HISTORY

• Contemporary Use
• In modern times, they were trained as sentry
  dogs, messengers, Red Cross, and Search and
  Rescue dogs. Two were trained as leader and
  service dogs. They are responsive companions and
  natural watchdogs

Photo Courtesy of Jennie Larkin
6
Special Anatomical Adaptations Related to Function

• Features Essential to Breed Type
• The Canaan Dogs harmony of build, lighter and
  more refined than the collie, and not as heavy
  and coarse as a dingo, allows him to meet the
  challenges of harsh living conditions successfully

Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait
Photos Courtesy of the British Canaan Dog Society
7
Special Anatomical Adaptations Related to Function
Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait

• Features Essential to Breed Type

• His shape, profile and movement are pleasing to
  watch when we absorb his beauty of form, grace
  and essence of nobility shining through his
  cover-let of wariness

Photo Courtesy of River Rock Canaan Dogs
8
Explanation of Any Unique Gait Characteristics
Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait

• The Breeds Typical Working Gait
• A quick, brisk, natural trot that covers more
  ground than expected. It is truly graceful and a
  pleasure to watch

Photo Courtesy of HaAretz Canaan Dogs
9
Explanation of Any Unique Gait Characteristics
Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait

• Common Gait Faults
• A tendency to promote GRAD and TRAD

10
Temperament Considerations
Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait

• As An Aspect of Type, Function and Soundness
• Wariness (aloofness) is a true function of the
  breed and is a part of its natural intelligence.

Even on a well-socialized and happy dog, you can
see it in the ring
Photo Courtesy of the British Canaan Dog Society
11
Temperament Considerations
Anatomy Tempera-ment And gait

• As an Aspect of Type, Function and Soundness

• Her drives are balanced
• There should be no visible extremes of emotions

Photo Courtesy of Mad River Canaan Dogs
12
General Appearance
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Medium-size, square body is without extremes,
  showing a clear, sharp outline

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• A middle-sized, harmonically built dog, close to
  the wild dog type

13
Size
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Height at withers 20 to 24 inches for dogs and
  19 to 23 inches for bitches. The ideal Canaan Dog
  lies in the middle of the stated ranges

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• 50 60 cm shoulder height, dogs usually
  considerably larger than bitches

14
Proportion
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Square when measured from the point of the
  withers to the base of the tail and from the
  point of the withers to the ground

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Shape square
• Where length is slightly greater than height,
  results from shorter leg-bones, not on the length
  of the back or coupling.
• Deep chest, forechest not too narrow, underline
  well tucked up

15
Substance
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Dogs generally weigh 45 to 55 pounds and bitches
  approximately 35 to 45 pounds
• Dogs distinctly masculine without coarseness and
  bitches feminine without over-refinement

• Founders' Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Weight 18 25 kg
• Robustness-coefficient 20 - 25

16
Head (Expression)
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Elongated, the length exceeding the breadth and
  depth considerably. Wedge-shaped, when viewed
  from above. Slightly arched when viewed from the
  side, tapering to stop
• The region of the forehead is of medium width,
  but appearing broader through ears set low to
  complete an alert expression, with a slight
  furrow between the eyes
• Expression Alert, watchful and inquisitive.
  Dignified

17
Head (Expression)
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Well proportioned and noble, in no way heavy and
  clumsy, but also not too light. The head is a
  blunt-wedge shape, of medium length, forehead not
  too wide, but appears somewhat broader because of
  the low ear-set.
• The cranium should be neither too strongly arched
  nor too flat like a greyhounds
• The comparison between the length of the cranium
  and the muzzle length is approx. 11, deviation
  from this should tend toward the longer muzzle
  length

18
Eyes
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Dark, almond-shaped, slightly slanted. Varying
  shades of hazel with liver-pointed dogs
• Eye rims darkly pigmented or of varying shades
  of liver harmonizing with coat color

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960 Closely
  placed, set in somewhat diagonally, as dark as
  possible
• Unpigmented third eyelids with spotteds normal
  allowed with other colours, but not desired

19
Ears
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Erect, medium to large, set moderately low,
  broad at the base, tapering to a very slightly
  rounded tip. Ears angled very slightly forward
  when excited. Ear motion contributes to
  expression and defines mood

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960 Short,
  relatively wide, prick ear desirable, set low, so
  it stands pointed outwards somewhat diagonally
  (not set on high and long like that of a
  shepherd). Button-ear and all states between a
  prick ear and a light drop ear still permitted
  now, but not desirable

20
Nose
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Darkly pigmented or varying shades of liver,
  harmonizing with coat color

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Dark pigmented desirable, lack of pigment
  presently allowed, especially with spotteds

21
Bite
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Scissors

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Scissors bite preferred pliers bite allowed
  loss of premolars a major fault, the same for
  overshot and undershot bites

22
Neck
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Well arched. Balance to body and head and free
  from throatiness

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• The neck as noble as possible

23
Topline
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Level with slight arch over the loins

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960

24
Chest
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Moderately broad and deep, extending to the
  elbows, with well-sprung ribs

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Deep, forechest not too narrow, underline
  well tuck-up

25
Tail.and Set of Tail
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Set moderately high. May be carried curled
  over the back when excited limited to one full
  curl. When extended, the bone must reach the
  hocks

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Set high, curled over back when excited, as
  bushy as possible

26
Forequarters
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Shoulders moderately angulated. Legs straight.
  Pasterns flexible with very slight slope when
  viewed from the side. Dewclaws may be removed

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Shoulders well laid back, the neck as noble as
  possible
• Forelegs absolutely straight, medium bone,
  pasterns vertical to the ground. Broad hocks,
  lower segment of legs lightly feathered
• Feet Paws as round as possible and arched hard
  soles

27
Hindquarters
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Moderately angulated. In balance with
  forequarters. Straight when viewed from the rear.
  Thigh musculature well-developed, moderately
  broad. Hocks well-let-down. Dewclaws must be
  removed

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Less angulated, tail carried curled over back
  when excited, trot is short

28
Coat
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Double coat.
• Outer coat straight, harsh, flat-lying, with
  slight ruff. Ruff more pronounced on males.
  Length of outer coat ½ to 1½ longer on ruff
  and back of thighs, shorter on body, legs and
  head.
• Undercoat straight, soft, short, flat-lying,
  density varying with climate. Tail bushy,
  increasing in plumage from set to end of bones,
  then tapering to pointed tip

29
Coat
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Middle-length double coat preferred, but long
  double coats and short double coats occur. Smooth
  coat, i.e., short hair and pronounced long hair
  less desirable. The development of the undercoat
  corresponds to the season
• Pronounced mane with males desired
• Legs should be well-feathered the tail should
  be as bushy as possible

30
Color
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Pattern (1) Predominately white with mask and
  with or without additional patches of color
  (large body patches are desirable)
• Pattern (2) Solid colored with or without white
  trim. Color may range from black through all
  shades of brown sandy to red or liver
• Shadings of black on a solid brown or tan dog are
  frequently seen
• The trim on a solid colored dog may include
  chest, undercarriage, feet and lower part of leg
  and tip of tail. In all patterns self-ticking
  may be present

31
Color
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Sand colors to red-brown, white, black
• Large white areas are preferred with all colors
• Pied of all kinds are permitted as are white or
  black masks
• Boston Terrier design frequent
• Grey specimens, and black with brown legs are not
  desirable at this time in order to emphasize the
  difference to similar European sporting dogs

32
Mask
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• The mask is a desired and distinguishing
  feature of the predominantly white Canaan Dog.
  The mask is the same color(s) as the body patches
  on the dog. The basically symmetrical mask must
  completely cover the eyes and ears or can
  completely cover the head as in a hood. The only
  allowed white in the mask or hood is a white
  blaze of any size or shape and/or white on the
  muzzle below the mask.

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• Pieds of all kinds are permitted as are white or
  black masks
• Boston terrier design frequent

33
Gait
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Movement is very important. Good reach and
  drive. Quick, brisk natural trot, apparently
  tireless, indicating an animal capable of
  trotting for hours
• Covers ground more quickly than expected
• Agile, able to change directions almost
  instantaneously.
• Tends to single-track at high speed

34
Gait
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Short, but brisk trot, natural trot desired

35
Temperament
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Alert, vigilant, devoted and docile with his
  family
• Reserved and aloof with strangers
• Highly territorial, serving as a responsive
  companion and natural guardian
• Very vocal, persistent
• Easily trained

36
Temperament
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Alert, sharp, mistrustful, aggressive toward
  strangers, but in no way an attack dog
• His watchfulness extends not only to strange
  people, but also to animals in the herding dog
  tradition
• Toward his master he is especially devoted and
  tractable
• If well-kept, he is strongly bound to his home
  area and shows no tendency to stray

37
Faults
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Unpigmented eye rims
• In the adult dog, other than erect ears
• Tail which falls over to either side of the back
• Excessively long guard coat that masks the clean
  outline of the dog. Any trimming that alters the
  natural appearance of the dog
• On predominately white dogs, absence of mask,
  half mask, or grossly asymmetrical mask
• Anything that detracts from efficient movement
• Shyness or dominance toward people

38
Faults
Breed standard

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
• Besides deviations from the standard of the
  breed, all faults in body structure which
  constitute deviations from the norm of a
  well-built dog
• Major Faults loss of premolars overshot and
  undershot bites

39
Disqualifications
Breed standard

• AKC Current Standard
• Dogs less than 20 inches or more than 25 inches
• Bitches less than 18 inches or more than 23
  inches
• Gray and/or brindle
• All white

• Founders Temporary Breed Standard 1960
• None

40
Variations Within the Breed Type
Breed standard

• Regional Differences (East coast vs. West coast)
• Yes. Kennel differences are recognizable

Photo Courtesy of Mad River Canaan Dogs
Photo Courtesy of Cherrysh My Canaan Dogs
41
Variations Within the Breed Type
Breed standard

• Variations Among Major Bloodlines
• Yes. The two types of Canaan Dogs are
  conveniently referred to as styles

Photo Courtesy of the Canaan Club of Ontario
Photo Courtesy of Cherrysh My Canaan Dogs
42
Problems
Breed standard

• Common Weak Points or Faults
• The more the descriptions depart from the
  original the more likely they err

43
Appearance
Similar breeds compared

• Basenji
• Cousin to Canaan Dog because of parallel
  development

44
Appearance
Similar breeds compared

• Karelian Bear Dog, Akitas, Border Collies, Fox
  Terriers
• Any similarity is purely coincidental

45
Similar breeds compared

• Herding Group
• Belgians
• Working Group
• Great Danes, Boxers, Dobermans, Giant Schnauzers,
  Standard Schnauzers
• Non-Sporting Group
• Poodles

46
Judging The Breed
Canaan Dogs up close

• Special Examination Techniques

• How to Evaluate Particular Points

Approach with confidence Avoid eye contact
Photo Courtesy of the Canaan Dogs of Anacan
47
Judging The Breed
Canaan Dogs up close

• Type, Soundness, Balance, Style
• Yes. The Canaan Dog is elegant, graceful in
  movement and noble in appearance

• He can be happy, friendly, polite, and still
  suggest wariness

Photo Courtesy of River Rock Canaan Dogs
48
Judging The Breed
Canaan Dogs up close

• Priorities Formerly Addressed by a Point Scale
• The Founders' Temporary Breed Standard (1960)
  uses more space to describe the head than any
  other part. It emphasizes the difference between
  Canaan Dogs and German Shepherds through the
  descriptions of ears and proportion

49
Judging The Breed
Canaan Dogs up close

• Movement Considerations
• Movement is a quick, brisk, short, natural and
  ground-covering without suggesting GRAD or TRAD

50
Judging The Breed
Canaan Dogs up close

• Deceptive Handling and Grooming Techniques
• I dont know any
• Any trimming that alters the natural appearance
  of the dog

51
Live Specimens Hands-On Examination
Canaan Dogs up close

• Examination of Individual Dogs
• Strong Points to Note
• What to feel for under heavy coat
• A heavy coat is not correct
• Observing and Evaluating Gait
• Front, Rear and Side
• Tends to singletrack at high speed

52
Discussion of Further Study Possibilities
Canaan Dogs up close

• Breed Specific Resource Material with Annotation

• Pariah Dogs by Drs. R. R. Menzel
• Available from Chris Miller [phone]
  rivroc_at_bellsouth.net

• The Israel Canaan Dog
• by Myrna Shiboleth
• Available from Alpine Press

53
Further Study Possibilities
Canaan Dogs up close

• National and Regional Specialties
• National Specialty May 19, 2006
• at San Diego, CA
• Regional Specialty Southern
• Classic Canaan Dog Club -
• at Perry, GA
• Judges Seminar - March 2006
• at Louisville, KY
• Great Lakes Canaan Dog Club
• supported entry and specialty,
• May 2006, Madison, WI

Thank you for your time and patience. See you in
the ring!
Jesse
54
Seminar Participants
Canaan Dogs up close

• Bryna Comsky, Illinois
• Christine Miller, Georgia
• Amanda Pough, Vermont
• Judy Rosenthal, Vermont
• Renee, Evan Ian Kent, Rhode Island
• Michelle Harrington, Canada
• Larry Myers, Canada
• Joe Bartelomeo, Connecticut 
• Marianne Kumamoto, Mass.        
• Vladimir Tanya Norvikov, Mass.    
• Mike Judy Lawrence, Connecticut
• Deborah and Alan Harrington, Mass.

Cybelle