CANAAN BREED STANDARDS

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VII.  The F.C.I.  Standard is arguably the closest of all the variations to the original Standard written by the Menzels and published in Pariahunde in 1960.  It was put into effect on 28. November 1985, and is the “Standard of The Israel Canaan Dog, Israeli Breed.” Its publication follows the 1966 Standard, which reverses the bite preference from, “Scissors bite preferred; pliers bite allowed,” in 1960, to the exact opposite in 1966.  (Was this reversal an error on the part of the typist? I believe so.) The 1985 Israeli Standard is in use today in Israel and in FCI (Federation Cynologique International) countries.  Departures from the original are the omission of the words, “noble,” when describing head and neck, and “short,” when describing gait. Also omitted are: “undercoat according to season,” and, “large white areas are… preferred.” The only faults mentioned in the original Standard were major ones:  loss of premolars, and the same for overshot and undershot bites.  These are not mentioned as faults in 1985, but “full dentition” is added. Except for the phrase, “belly well tucked up,” there are no descriptions that suggest refinement, elegance, nobility or grace.  Emphasized is the Canaan’s “potential for survival as a desert animal.”

The Federation Cynologique Internationale (F.C.I.) Standard
Standard of the Israel Canaan Dog,  November 28, 1985 

General Appearance:  A medium-sized, well balanced, strong and square dog resembling the wild dog type.  Strong distinction between the sexes. 

Head: Well proportioned, blunt wedge shape of medium length, appearing broader due to low set ears.  Skull somewhat flattened.  Some width allowed in powerful male heads.  Stop shallow but defined.  Muzzle sturdy, of moderate length and breadth.  Jaws should be strong.  Lips tight.  Nose black. 

Ears:  Erect, relatively short and broad, slightly rounded at the tip and set low. 

Eyes:  Dark brown, slightly slanted, almond shaped.  Dark rims essential. 

Mouth:  Full dentition with scissors or level bite. 

Neck:  Muscular, of medium length.

Body:  Square, withers well developed, back level, loins muscular, chest deep and of moderate breadth, ribs well sprung.  Belly well tucked up.  Moderate angulation.  Balance is essential. 

Forequarters:  The shoulder should be oblique and muscular, elbows close to the body.  Forelegs perfectly straight.

Hindquarters:  Powerful, well bent stifles.  Hocks well let down.  Strong buttocks, lightly feathered. 

Feet:  Strong, round and catlike with hard pads. 

Tail:  Set high, thick brush carried curled over the back.

Coat:  Outer coat dense, harsh and straight, of short to medium length.  Undercoat close and profuse. 

Color:  Sand to red-brown, white, black, or spotted, with or without mask.  If masked, mask must be symmetrical.  Black mask permitted on all colors.  White markings are permitted on all colors:  “Boston Terrier” patterns are common.  Grey, brindle, black-and-tan, or tricolor are unacceptable.  Desert colors – sand, gold, red, cream – are most typical of the breed. 

Weight and Size:  Height 50 – 60 cm. (20 – 24 in.), males may be considerably larger than females.  Weight 18 – 25 kg.  (40 – 55 lbs.)

Gait:  Quick, light and energetic trot.  Should demonstrate marked agility and stamina.  Correct movement is essential.  Correct movement is essential.

Character:  Alert, quick to react, distrustful of strangers, strongly defensive but not naturally aggressive.  Vigilant not only against man but other animals as well.  Extraordinarily devoted and amenable to training. 

Faults:  All deviations from the standard of the breed.  All faults in body structure which constitute a deviation from the norm of a well built dog; anything that would detract from his potential for survival as a desert animal. 

N.B.:  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Quoted from the Web site, http://www.thecanaandog.co.uk/breed/standards/standard_fcil985/