By Heidi Clayton
There is zero evidence that there was a dog at the Nativity scene. However, if a dog had been there, it probably would have been one of the oldest known canine breeds, the Canaan dog.
The Canaan is now the national dog of Israel. The dogs can be dated back some 4,000 years as their depiction has been found on ancient artifacts. Once called “pariah” dogs, the Canaan is a herding breed that was used by shepherds in the deserts of Israel and Lebanon, whose livelihoods and religious customs depended on the survival of their flocks of sheep and goats. These double-coated dogs could survive in the harsh climates of the desert and were naturals at moving the sheep. They also were naturally aloof and protective not just of the flock, but also of the shepherds who fed them.
Historical evidence shows that in the year 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and shepherds were dispersed, the dogs, finding their owners gone, became wild dogs, indigenous to the Negev Desert. A group of them remained with the Bedouin tribes. Those dogs stayed loyal to them and their sheep.
Flash forward a few years to post-World War II, leading up to the formation of the State of Israel. Dr. Rudolphina Mendel was tasked with finding dogs that could protect remote Israeli villages being formed in Palestine. She chose to re-domesticate the pariah dog as it had already been proven to be loyal, trainable and hardy since they survived and populated for thousands of years in the harsh climates of the desert. She named the dogs the “Canaan” dog after the area in which they were found.
After the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, Mendez shifted the purpose of the Canaan dogs. Instead of being guard dogs, she devoted them to becoming guide dogs for the blind. In 1948, the Palestine Kennel Club had 150 registered Canaan dogs on record.
The Canaan made their way to the United States in 1965 when Ursula Berkowitz imported four of them from Israel and formed the Canaan Dog Club of America. The AKC recognized the Canaan as a breed in 1997.
Canaans have remained fairly true to their ancient temperament and look. They are a medium-sized dog with a double coat. The outer coat is waterproof, and the undercoat is soft for heat or cooling. The color they come in is primarily white with patches of any color except gray, brindle or all-white. They have a unique tail that curls up towards their back when they are confident. Weighing no more than 55 pounds, they are a medium-sized breed. The Canaan Club of America describes them as remaining aloof with strangers but devoted and docile with their families. They also state that they are “apparently tireless” and will require early training to remind them you are in charge. These dogs will need plenty of exercise, which makes them ideal for active runners and families.
Canaan dogs excel at dog sports like agility and Fast CAT. I have met a few of them; they are indeed very loyal to their owners and are quick learners. You can read all about this ancient breed at The Canaan Dog Club of America’s webpage: cdca.org.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
