Canaan Dog Pictures

Ancient drawings that remind of modern Canaan Dog pictures date back to the pre-biblical times. They feature Pariah Dogs, feral ancestors of the breed that belonged to the Spitz family, the most ancient dog family. The history of the breed is very long. The Pariah Dogs and later the Canaan Dogs for about 10 000 years have been living close to humans and serving as guard and herd dogs. About 2000 years ago when the Romans dispersed the Israelites, their dogs became totally undomesticated and survived in the desert. Some dogs lived in Bedouin camps and earned their living by herding the herds and guarding the property.

In the 1930s, Dr. Rudolphina Menzel decided to create a guard dog for scattered Jewish settlements from the desert dogs that for many centuries served their ancestors. She captured many puppies and adult dogs that would suit the role of the foundation stock. The best foundation stock for the future breed was alert, adaptable, trainable, and easy to domesticate. In 1934, the breeding program for the Canaan Dog began. It resulted in producing reliable home guards and strong, agile, and obedient dogs for the military. Canaan Dog pictures of the 1950s feature these dogs as guides for the blind, family companions and playmates for children.

Ancient and present-day Canaan Dog pictures feature medium-sized dogs with a lean body and long legs, erect ears, wedge-shaped head, and large round eyes. The coat of these dogs is double and lying close to the body. All coat colors and patterns from cream to black occur in these dogs. Brown with small white spots is the most common pattern. Canaan Dogs are very similar to Dingo in appearance. The typical height of the Canaan Dog is 20-24 inches at the withers; the weight is between 40 and 55 pounds.

Nowadays, there are no more feral Canaan Dogs. All desert dogs were destroyed by the Israeli government in order to prevent rabies epidemics. Present-day Canaan Dogs are fully domesticated and serve people in many ways. If you are interested in this breed, you can find Canaan Dog pictures and information on numerous websites of their breeders, owners, and breed clubs.