Is the Canaan Dog facing extinction?

A young Springtime "Maccabee"

The Ancient Biblical Dog of Israel

It is with sadness to read the news that the "Canaan Dog", also known as "Kelev K'naani", may be in fear of fading “into history”. This breed is already very rare in numbers, and those that have been fortunate to have one of these extraordinary dogs in their lives may now be facing a reality that we hope does not come to pass.

Here is a link to an article of interest for owners and supporters of the breed, and those that are researching about the ancient “biblical dog” that still inhabits the Negev desert, but is becoming even smaller in numbers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-israel-a-battle-to-save-the-ancient-canaan-dog/2012/03/21/gIQA1IQEfS_story.html

Our Maccabee keeps watch over the herd as the sun sets

Some Interesting facts about the breed

Canaan Dogs are “un-manufactured” by man. They have natural dog characteristics that have allowed them to survive for over 4,000 years. The Canaan Dog has a rich and unique history. Unlike such breeds as the Golden Retriever or the Wheaton Terrier the Canaan Dog was not bred for a specific job. They evolved in the wilderness and developed their characteristics and instincts over 4000 years - which includes their sharp eyes, their acute hearing, and their keen sense of smell - and most importantly, their strong desire for self-preservation as key to their survival .They have worked with Man as guardian animals for villages and flocks. After the Roman conquest of Israel they drifted back to the Sinai desert to live. Occasionally they would be caught and used as protection for Bedouin tribes. But a true effort to domesticate them didn’t happen until the 1930s when the Menzels emigrated to Palestine. Their programme was so successful that the Canaan Dog became a working dog for the Haganah and later the IDF (Israel Defense Force). And despite this unique path that has brought them to become companion animals they are at heart dogs.

"Maccabee" my "Muse"

"Macc" watching over the herd

Here are a few links to read more about the history and traits of the Canaan Dog:

http://sufatsheleg.jimdo.com/the-menzels/

http://sufatsheleg.jimdo.com/canaan-dog-traits/

And a link to a great educational video about the breed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF8xl9FVvow

I can not imagine a better breed for me! My desert crew continues to fill my life with companionship, adventure, and fulfills a role in a working capacity. I know that this post will resonate with those who cherish and work with their breed of choice. Below are just a few favourite pics of my crew doing what comes naturally!

Me and two of my Canaan Crew members "Cybelle" & "Maccabee" after  some cattle ranch chores.

"Ash" watching over her land during a windy July storm

Miss "Ash" after a stormy day on her land but continues to stay poised in the classic "regal and alert" position common to Canaan Dogs when in the watchdog mode. No wonder these guys were used as sentries guarding the camps back in their homeland. 

Master "Macc" in his sentry pose  - he always wanted to keep watch over the land even when the sun started to set

Youngster "Rook" learning to drive free-ranging cattle to their next rotational graze zone in a respectful manner with crew member "Ash" as backup.

Some of the crew working cattle chores from spring to fall on the range

Crew members young "Rook" & Miss "Ash" watching over their kingdom on a summer day

"Ash" X Macc 2010 litter - Ash with her four beautiful babes "Tempest, Ziva, Jasper and Cammie 

Miss Ash at home watching over her range

We hope that this remarkable breed "never fades from history", so on a more positive note, please visit our  news about “Tracking” with the crew. 

"Cybelle" The girl who gives it her all!

My Cybelle on her homestead - the ultimate watchdog, and stockdog on cattle

"Cybelle"  is my second Canaan Dog who became apart of my crew back in 2005. She launched a lot of adventures for us from "show" to "working" and continues to be a solid and "effervescent" girl in anything she does. Lately, I feel I have been so involved in my younger crew members with their training and I think Cybelle has, in her way, reminded me to say " Hey what about all the great things I do for you!" And, she is right! She is a great "cow" girl and protector of her land when it comes to predators! 


A few pics from the past with her great work on the chores with the cattle. She is getting ready for this year's herd and I will be depending on her since she knows what to do when managing free-range cattle. Cybelle is following along in the path of a great working dog that we loved - our Maccabee. But this page is about her since she will be monitoring it:-) 

Cybelle driving the herd

picking up a stray calf to bring back to the herd

gate work - nice!

Driving mode to the next graze zone

Keeping them in line at the gate - Cybelle is such a big help!

rounding the herd up to drive them to the next graze

Cybelle works a bossy girl

Cybelle always on alert and  looking after her kingdom as she always does:-)

I had to include a few "baby photos" of Miss Cybelle who we refer to as the "Bibs" . Her "Bibs" nickname evolved from a friend who called her "Cyb-a -bibbly" because she was  such a "bubbly girl and still is!

A Baby Photo of the fabulous Miss Cybelle who was super-confident even at 10 wks old:-)

Our Macc keeping watch over the young "Bibs"