Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Summary
The Canaan Dog is an ancient aboriginal breed of the Middle East, formed naturally in the territories of Israel, Palestine, and neighboring regions. For centuries these dogs lived alongside nomadic tribes, guarding herds, protecting dwellings, and accompanying people in desert conditions. Natural selection preserved in the breed exceptional endurance, independence, alertness, and innate caution. In the early 20th century, cynologists began systematic restoration of the breed by selecting typical representatives of the native population. As a result, the Canaan Dog retained its primitive type, stable temperament, and ability to adapt to harsh environments. Today the breed remains rare but valued for its versatility and natural reliability.
General Appearance
The Canaan Dog is medium-sized, well-balanced, dry, strong, and muscular without coarseness. The format is slightly elongated, with a straight, stable topline. The head is wedge-shaped with clean lines and an attentive expression. The chest is deep; the limbs straight, dry, and correctly set, proportional to the body. The tail is high-set and curls into a ring or half-ring when in motion. Overall, the dog conveys stamina, agility, and natural composure. Typical traits include alertness, awareness, and the ability to react instantly to stimuli. The overall appearance must reflect the breed’s natural origin and functional purpose.
Important Proportions
The height-to-length ratio is slightly elongated while maintaining overall balance. Chest depth reaches or slightly surpasses the elbow, providing adequate breathing capacity. Skull and muzzle are approximately equal in length; profile lines straight. The neck is medium in length, dry, blending smoothly into the body. The shoulder blade is well laid back, equal in length to the upper arm, forming a correct angle. Hindquarters have well-defined angulation without exaggeration. The tail must harmonize with the body and emphasize the breed silhouette. All proportions should reflect a working type capable of long-term guarding and movement, maintaining functionality and natural balance.
Behavior and Temperament
The Canaan Dog has a stable, attentive, and independent temperament shaped by natural conditions and long-term selection. At home it is calm, watchful, and devoted to its family—affectionate but not intrusive. The breed has a strong guarding instinct, natural wariness of strangers, and high environmental sensitivity. It learns quickly but needs gentle, consistent training due to its independent thinking. During walks it is active, alert, and responsive to all stimuli. With early socialization it gets along well with children and other animals. It is important that the Canaan Dog has space and the ability to control its surroundings.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped, proportional, dry, and clearly defined, with straight, clean lines. The skull is moderately broad and slightly arched. Stop is moderately defined but noticeable. The muzzle is long, straight, strong, and nearly equal in length to the skull. Lips are dry, tight, not pendulous. Jaws strong, scissor bite. Nose black or dark. Eyes almond-shaped, dark, expressing intelligence and attentiveness. Ears high-set, erect, triangular with rounded tips, directed forward. The head must emphasize the breed’s natural origin, alertness, and ability to react quickly to environmental changes.
Foreface
The foreface is long, dry, and proportional, forming a clean, wedge-shaped profile. The muzzle is straight, tapering evenly toward the nose but not overly pointed. Jaws are strong, well-developed, with a full set of teeth and scissor bite. Lips are thin, tight, without looseness. The suborbital region is dry, without fullness or deep hollows. Nose dark and well pigmented. The stop is slightly but clearly defined, maintaining clean head lines. All components must convey the impression of a resilient, attentive working dog preserving its natural aboriginal character.
Eyes
Eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, slightly slanted, emphasizing the breed’s alert and observant expression. Color is dark brown to black-brown, harmonizing with overall pigmentation. Eyelids are dry, tight, well pigmented, without looseness. The expression is intelligent, thoughtful, and constantly aware of surroundings. Undesirable are light eyes, round or protruding eyes, or insufficient eyelid pigmentation, as these disrupt breed type. Eyes must highlight the natural vigilance and balance of the Canaan Dog, reflecting its working heritage and environmental awareness.
Ears
Ears are erect, high-set, and widely spaced, triangular with slightly rounded tips. They must be mobile, directed forward when alert, and capable of precise sound detection, emphasizing the working type. Size is medium: overly large or small ears disturb head balance. The base must be firm, skin thin, without folds or softness. Faults include semi-erect, dropped, poorly set ears or weak cartilage. Correct ears are essential for breed expression, showing attentiveness, responsiveness, and natural orientation.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, strong, and widens gradually toward the shoulders. The topline is straight or slightly arched, emphasizing a noble profile. Musculature is well developed but not coarse, allowing strong head carriage and free movement. The neck is set moderately high, blending harmoniously into the body. Skin is thin, without folds or dewlap. A neck that is too short, thick, or overly long disrupts balance and function. A proper neck reflects the working nature of the Canaan Dog and its ability to move actively, orient quickly, and maintain stable head position when guarding.
Body
The body is dry, balanced, strong, and functional, reflecting the breed’s natural origin. The topline is straight and firm, without dips or roaching. Withers moderately defined; back strong, medium-length; loin short, firm, slightly arched. The chest is deep to the elbow; ribs moderately arched, providing lung capacity without heaviness. The underline is well tucked; abdomen firm, showing the breed’s dry format. The croup is moderately sloping, broad, and muscular. Faults include looseness, excessive length, narrow chest, weak loin, or sagging topline. The body must demonstrate endurance, stability, and ability to travel long distances in difficult terrain.
Tail
The tail is high-set, medium in length, reaching the hock or slightly below. At rest it hangs low; when excited it rises and curls into a ring or half-ring above the back without deviation. The tail is covered with short, dense hair, without thickening or breaks. Faults include excessively short, straight, rigidly curled, kinked, or poorly set tails. Tail shape and carriage are characteristic features, emphasizing alertness and readiness. The tail must not interfere with movement or disrupt overall balance.
Exterior Description
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, dry, strong, and correctly positioned. Shoulder blades long, well laid back, fitting tightly with well-developed but not coarse musculature. The upper arm is equal in length to the shoulder blade, forming a correct angle that allows good foreleg reach. Elbows directed backward, without turning in or out. Forearms straight, strong, dry. Wrists strong; pasterns moderately sloping but not weak. Faults include curvature, weak joints, excessive straightness, elbow deviation. Correct forequarters provide stability, endurance, and precise movement on uneven terrain.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are strong, well angulated, dry, and functional. Thighs long, muscular but not coarse, providing powerful drive. Lower thighs also long with defined angulation. Stifles strong and correctly formed, not straight or overly sharp. Hocks low-set, strong, parallel when viewed from behind, not turning inward or outward. Rear pasterns short, vertical, elastic. Faults include weak joints, cow-hocks, barrel-hocks, insufficient musculature, or excessive angulation. Proper hindquarters ensure stability, quick reaction, and long-distance mobility.
Gait / Movement
Movement must be light, free, springy, and efficient, reflecting the breed’s desert guarding and pariah-dog origin. At the trot, movement is straight, without body roll or lateral deviation. Forelegs have good reach; hindlegs provide strong, stable drive. The topline remains steady. The gallop is fast, with good extension and sharp maneuverability. Undesirable are short stride, stiffness, crossing, weak drive, or joint instability. Correct movement highlights endurance and working purpose.
Coat
The coat is double, with a short, hard, straight outer coat and a soft undercoat whose density depends on climate. The coat lies close, protecting from daytime heat and nighttime cold. Texture must be resilient, neither too harsh nor silky. Faults include long, wavy, curly, overly soft, sparse hair, or bald spots. The coat must be even in length and emphasize the dry, functional format. Proper coat reflects natural adaptation to harsh environments.
Permissible Colors
Canaan Dog colors are varied but must be clear, pure, and natural. Permitted colors include sand, cream, red, brown-red, black, white, and combinations of these in patches and markings. Typical colors are sand and reddish shades; white markings on chest, legs, tail tip, or face are common. Bicolor is allowed if clean and harmonious. Prohibited are merle, blue, brindle, as well as muddy, diluted, or impure shades. Pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids must be dark and consistent. Color must emphasize the breed’s natural, primitive type.
Size
A medium-sized breed with clear but balanced sexual dimorphism. Height at withers: males 50–60 cm, females 45–55 cm. Weight proportional to size: males 18–25 kg, females 16–22 kg. Balance is essential: size must align with dryness, agility, and functionality. Overly large or excessively light dogs are faults if they compromise type. The dog must appear strong, enduring, and capable of long-distance travel and guarding without heaviness or fragility.
Faults
Faults include deviations that do not destroy type but impair harmony or function. Slight narrow chest, insufficient depth, weak topline. Mild elbow deviation, weak pasterns, minor limb misalignment. Slightly light eyes, slightly low-set ears, or weak ear bases. Minor pigment loss on the nose or eyelids. Limited reach, stiffness, or short stride. Loss of dryness or elegance due to age or lack of conditioning. Such signs are faults if they do not distort overall balance.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations undermining type, health, or functionality. Aggression or extreme shyness; behavior preventing examination. Complete depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; pink nose on dark-colored dogs. Prohibited colors: blue, merle, brindle; extensive white covering most of the body. Incorrect bite: overbite, underbite, level bite, missing teeth beyond the allowed number. Dropped or semi-erect ears; inability to maintain erect ears. Congenital or acquired limb deformities, joint instability, severe gait abnormalities, structural defects, or signs of mixed origin. Any factor compromising working ability leads to disqualification.
Important Notes
Judging the Canaan Dog requires understanding that it preserved its primitive, aboriginal type, with functionality as the key criterion. Exaggerated decorative features, excessive angulation, or heaviness undermine breed essence. Natural wariness toward strangers is part of breed behavior and should not be misinterpreted as fear if controlled. Color must be natural and clean. Young dogs may display moderate developmental deviations—slight softness, line instability, or incomplete musculature. The priority is preservation of health, stable character, natural balance, and functional suitability.
Conclusion
The Canaan Dog is a unique aboriginal breed that retains primitive type, resilience, and functionality through long-term natural selection. Its anatomy, movement, and temperament reflect its working heritage: endurance, alertness, quick reaction, and ability to operate in harsh conditions. Evaluation must consider balance, clean lines, correct pigmentation, and natural expression. Decorative exaggerations that reduce functionality are unacceptable. The breed is valued for its strong health, natural courage, stable psyche, and independent character. Breeding aims include preserving this rare type, maintaining genetic diversity, strengthening breed qualities, and ensuring harmony between modern keeping and ancient working purpose.
