Meet the beautiful Canaan Dog, pariah dog of Israel, long recognized as a pure breed.
The dog first won recognition thanks to the path-breaking work of Professor Rudolphina Menzel. Her efforts were continued by the Shaar Hagai Kennels, which breed, train and exhibit these dogs according to her guidelines. Read the article on Canaan Dogs by Myrna Shiboleth, the leading authority on this breed: "The Canaan Dog - Preserving a Biblical Dog in Modern Times." You'll find it in the INDog website in the "Articles" section.
"The Canaan Dog holds a special and unique position in today's cynological world," writes Myrna in the article. "On the one hand, this breed is fully recognized by all of the world's kennel clubs and is gaining more and more popularity as a pet and family dog in various parts of the world. On the other hand, in its land of origin, Israel, this breed also still exists as a wild or semi wild dog that must fight for its survival."
Myrna had also sent me some lovely pictures for the website world map. We used one of them there and I'm sharing the rest of them here. The top two pictures show Canaans living among the Bedouins as livestock guardian dogs, a role they've played for centuries.
Read all about Canaans in the Shaar Hagai website, and also check the Facebook group Canaan Dogs.
Thanks Myrna!
Photos: Myrna Shiboleth
Shaar Hagai Kennels
Israel