Herding Group

Canaan Dog

Canaan Dog is a large dog in the Herding Group. Adult weight is 45–55 lb (male), 35–45 lb (female), height is 20–24 in (male), 19–23 in (female), and the listed lifespan is 12–15 years. AKC describes the temperament as Alert, Vigilant, Confident.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Canaan Dog dog
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lifespan12–15 years
Weight45–55 lb (male), 35–45 lb (female)
SizeLargeGroupHerding Group

Height

20–24 in (male), 19–23 in (female)

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

4 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13.5 years is about 0.9 years longer than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 45 lb is about 14.2 lb lighter than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is Israel. The coat is described as double, smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 1.1 points below the group average of 4.1 for the Herding Group. Shedding scores 4 out of 5, so coat cleanup is a regular job. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 193 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, and Thyroid Evaluation. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

Frequently asked

Questions from the breed record

The verified adult weight for a Canaan Dog is 45–55 lb (male), 35–45 lb (female).

Sources

More Herding Group breeds

All Herding Group breeds

More large breeds

All large dog breeds

Related calculators

Discuss on PawTalk

Got a question the chart doesn't answer?

Ask on PawTalk, our community for pet owners, and compare notes on feeding, age, and day-to-day care.