CANAAN BREED STANDARDS

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II.  The first four Canaan dog imports arrived on September 7, 1965, to Ursula Berkowitz near Los Angeles.  In 1966, the Sheaffers (Mr. and Mrs. Jay C. Sheaffer, Spatterdash Kennels) began breeding Canaans.  They published two brochures on the breed.  The second one, October 28, 1971, contained the “Short Standard of The Breed” which follows.

 SHORT STANDARD OF THE BREED 

Character:  Alert, watchful, willing, docile, suspicious of strangers, devoted to master and home. 

Head:  Blunt, wedge shaped, of medium length, skull flat, well chiseled, width medium, tapering toward eyes.  The Forehead appearing broad, because of the low ear placement.  Muzzle as long as skull, neither snipy nor coarse.  Scissor bite.  Lips close fitting.  Slight stop. 

Eyes:  Dark and almond shaped; extremely alert. 

Nose:  Dark pigmented most desirable. 

Ears:  Small and relatively broad.  (Prick ears most desired)  They should be set on low and tend to slope obliquely outwards.  Button ears and intermediate form to hanging ears permitted.   

Neck:  Of good length, arched and carried high.  Well set – into flat well-laid back shoulders; no dewlap.  

Withers:  Well developed. 

Body:  Square with deep chest – forechest not too narrow.   

Back:  Rather short, level short loins.   

Forelegs:  Absolutely straight, with perpendicular pasterns.  Bones medium strong.   

Hindquarters:  Strong, muscular, sloping slightly.  Bone of moderate thickness.  Second thighs lightly feathered.   

Feet:  Small – round – compact – toes well arched; hard pads. 

Pasterns:  Straight – flexible – of good length. 

Stifles:  Moderately well bent.   

Tail:  Set high on top line;  long and bushy, curled over back when excited.   

Gait:  Natural trot – short but very quick trot.   

Coat:  Desirable:  hard and stiff hair of medium length, thick.  Less Desirable:  too short or too long.  Legs well feathered.  Tail plumed, mane desired in males.   

Colors:  All shades of brown, from sandy to reddish brown; also black; all colors with white markings – solid colors.  Desirable – white with big markings in either black or brown or red.  Full mask, full mask with white blaze.   

General Appearance:  Medium high, well proportioned dog.  Reminding of the type of wild dog.  Height from 19 to 24 inches at shoulders.  Weight 35 to 55 pounds.   

Faults:  Grey or brindled colors – white mask – unfinished eye trim and nose.   

Spatterdash Kennels, A.K.C. Reg. 10-28-71.