Kaanaankoira

FCI:

Canaan Dog - Group V. - Spitz and primitive types, Section 6 - Primitive breeds

General Appearance:

It's a dog with fast reactions, probing curious, very cautious and extremely intelligent. To the strangers it behaves suspiciously, it is always fully prepared to defend, but never gratuitously attacking, preferring to shun strangers. Potential enemy it is announcing by loud barking.

Seemingly it is not very affectionate, but owners and family members are wholly devoted and utterly faithful. Although it does not know, it loves it. It tends to be a dog, "one master" of its choice, or a dog, "one family", i.e. all its members.

It is also quite naturally vigilant against unknown animals, but never aggressive by nature. If it has a proper socialization it is a reliable partner of other dogs and other small animals.

Temperament/Behaviour:

It requires as the most primitive breeds a systematic, broad, gradual and early socialization and for its continuous follow-sensitive, non-violent, but sustained and graciously consistent training aimed not to have a dog blindly and slavishly obedient, but for various situations quiet and well controlled, keeping unshakable confidence in its owner must always resolute and righteous leader of the "pack". The owner must be calm, patient, persistent, but also utterly consistent.

The training is an important positive stimulation and intonation. Not necessarily it needs plenty of exercise, but also a job, best practice or training is every day. Only intense physical and mental activity it can satisfy this breed. Daylong free range large fenced plot, which it can and will guard it is not enough.

It is used as a guide dog for the blinds or as an assistance dog. It is used also during guard duty in the military. It is easy to learn and coach and it is successful in obedience, agility and others-canine sports. Permanently it cannot be kept in an outdoor kennel; it needs constant contact with the owner and family members, even when it is fixed to a single person.

Body:

This is a medium sized dog harmonious construction, strong and square body frame, reminiscent of overall growth habit secondarily feral domestic dogs like the Australian Dingo. The difference between male and female must be obvious at first look; secondary sexual characteristics must be pronounced. Height at the withers is 50-60 cm, males are noticeably larger than females, and weight of body is 18-25 kg.

The head is proportional the shape and medium long blunt wedge. Widest should be in place to deploy earlobes. Skull should be above almost flat and with massive male dogs can be quite broad. The frontal slope is gentle, yet clearly noticeable. Muzzle should be reasonably broad and long. Nose must be black.

Lips are tightly fitting to the jaws and teeth. Strong jaws, teeth are required to complete bite can be scissor or pincer. Eyes should be dark brown, slightly slanted, almond-shaped. The eyelid rims must be dark. The earlobes are low, erect, relatively short and broad, slightly pointed at the tops.
The neck is muscular, medium length. Withers have to be distinctive, spine straight, shoulders are muscular, tail must be carried up, curl over the back and shoulders, heavily furred.

Chest is deep adequate width. Ribs should be properly rounded. The bottom line of the body determines the depth of the chest and moderately tucked up.

Limbs should be slightly bent. Thoracic straight and oblique with their tips are pointing upward and backward. Well muscled shoulder blades. Elbows close to the body and must be neither turned in or out. Feet are strong, round shape (i.e. cat) with durable padded. The hindquarters are strong, powerful thighs, behind lightly covered with longer hair. Your knees should be bent properly. Hocks low over the base.

Topcoat must be hard, dense, straight and short to medium length, dense undercoat, lying flat. Colour is sandy-yellow to red (from the genetic point of view would be a more appropriate term "dark red" because the nose has to be black and the allele for brown shade of dark pigment in genetic equipment is missing and it  can affect coat colour), white, black or mottled Facial mask or without it. If the mask is formed, it must be symmetrical. Like a black mask and white markings are permitted on all types of discolouration. Common black-and-white colouration expected. Unacceptable is grey, brindle, black-and-tan or tricolour colour. The most typical colour of the coat is deemed sand, gold, red and cream.

All faults from the requirements of the standard must be considered as defects and evaluate exactly according to the seriousness with regard to the health and welfare of the male or female.