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The Canaan Dog, as a whole, is a very healthy breed and this is due to several factors. First, the Canaan Dog is a numerically small breed of whom the public is generally unaware, so the breed has not been overbred, as some breeds have been. They are certainly not a breed that would make a puppy farmer any money. Secondly, the breeders have, for the most part, been health aware, using screening tests as a precautionary measure to help problems from creeping into the breed. In the UK hip screening is recommended, and it is also suggested that eyes and patellas are checked. Additionally, the Canaan Dog is one of the few breeds to benefit from the infusion of new genes from wild and bedouin dogs introduced into breeding programmes by the Israeli breeders (the only ones who can do so) to this day. As a result of the original healthy breeding stock from the wild where 'survival of the fittest' eliminates some problems, the breed is not prone to any particular health problems. But saying that, no living organism is immune to all disease or health problems, and from time-to-time individual Canaans become ill. This can be the result of incorrect nutrition, exposure to toxins in the environment or reactions to vaccines. The following are problems that have been found in the breed, but none on a large enough number to be called a breed problem. This information incorporates problems found world-wide (mainly from records in the US, where health records have been kept for over 40 years) and from information given to us by the main breeder in Israel. (Links have been given for explanation of some of the conditions.)
Please also have a look on our Links page for links to some Canine Health-Related websites. We would like to encourage all Canaan Dog owners to participate in an online international Canaan Dog health survey that is a joint effort of the Canaan Dog Club of America and the Israel Canaan Dog Club of America. It is open to the owners of all Canaan Dogs around the world, and owners need not belong to any club to participate. The information is being held by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA), the survey is anonymous, and results can be viewed by everyone. This is an opportunity to get a better picture of the breed's overall health on a world-wide basis, so the more information received the more accurate the information held will be. Information on deceased dogs is also needed. To participate go online to: www.offa.org/surveys/survey_canaan.html" |