How Much Does a Canaan Dog Cost?

Canaan Dog Cost Square

Some sweetly call it as Canaani, the Canaan dog is one of the oldest and rarest breeds. It is a natural breed originating from the land of Israel as a pariah dog. It is known as Kelef Kanani; the Hebrew words which are associated with the drawings you can see from the ancient Middle East.

The national dog of Israel was originally used as herders for flocks in the Middle Eastern countries but a time came when it was of no use. It pushed the breed to move out from the town people and lived as an “outcasts.” This earned the Canaan dog the natural instinct to thrive and it is a very strong-willed and independent breed until now.

It has double coats that make it tolerate extreme weather conditions. You may see Canaan dogs in various colors: white with patches, black, sandy, red, or tan. It has erect ears and a fox-like appearance. It was classified under the herding dog category of the American Kennel Club.

Cost of a Canaan Dog

As it is a very rare breed, you usually have to wait for puppies from respected breeders. There are only a few of them who closely work together to preserve these purebreds. Typical Canaan Dog price ranges from $700 to $1,200 according to the Canaan Dog Club of America but may vary from one breeder to another.

There is another club specific for Canaan dogs called the Israel Canaan Dog of America where you can find a list of their breeder members. You will be assured that litters from reputable breeders will be knowledgeable in the personality and genetic background of the pups. They should be able to help you pick the right dog.

You have to be prepared to have a leash and collar before you bring home your dog. A good collar designed for training would be good to start the training early on. A training collar may cost you from as low as $9.99 up to the embroidered ones priced at $22.95.

Since it is a breed of rarity, you mostly will not find Canaan dogs in shelters or rescues. This is mainly due to the limited number of breeders. They usually have strict standards if you’re buying a Canaan dog so that they don’t end up in shelters.

Recurring Expenses of Having a Canaani

Before buying a dog, here is a list of things to consider for this breed:

  • Food

As a medium-sized dog, adults require 1.5 to 2 cups of dog food distributed equally in a day. Since it uses a lot of energy, it would need protein in its diet. For dogs competing in herding, they would need a higher calorie content dog food.

Do always take note of the balanced nutrition of dog foods you are purchasing as this is essential for Canaan dogs. Dry dog food price may range from $41.99 to $54.99 for a 30-lb bag.

You should be aware of your dog’s calorie intake to avoid obesity.  You can usually find the feeding guidelines on the packaging depending on the dog’s size and weight.

  • Grooming

They heavily shed twice a year, so during this time, it is best to brush them regularly. During normal conditions, however, a weekly brushing using a bristle brush is sufficient. The regular trimming of nails and brushing of teeth must be observed for maintenance. A visit to your groomer won’t be that much if you have this kind of dog.

You can find a good brush that has both the pins for detangling on one side and the bristles on the other side for removing dead skin cells. This may cost you around $11.06 only. You won’t be needing any additional brushes probably for the next two years as long as it is handled properly.

Their dental health is usually set aside by some owners but this shouldn’t be the case as this could lead to infections. A good set for your dog is about $16.99, already including toothpaste and dog-safe brushes. If you choose to do annual dental cleaning, be prepared to spend around $200 per visit.

Nail trimming will cost you $10 and that would be about every 2-3 week visits in a grooming salon. If you choose to do it yourself, there are nail trimmers ranging from $7.69 to $9.99 only. A word of caution though is that you have to be careful not to touch the nerves as this will cause them pain. Ask your groomer to teach you the proper way to trim their nails.

  • Health

Natural breed types are typically healthy and hardy. The national breed club still recommends having health tests to prevent breeding and spreading of diseases. You should be able to attain test certifications of parental lineage from the breeder for hip, elbow, thyroid, ophthalmologist, and patella evaluation.

All the tests mentioned will have a total cost of $112 for an individual dog at Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Breeders may be able to get discounts depending on the number of puppies they will submit for evaluation. This is more practical than having to submit your dog to just a regular vet visit costing $40 to $60 or more.

  • Dog Licensing

Most states require dog licensing that you have to renew annually.  Aside from the fee, some requirements would be veterinarian clearances and vaccine updates. An annual fee may range from as low as $8.50 to $14 for spayed/neutered dogs. This will vary from state to state so make sure to check with your local municipal office.

Canaan Dog Cost
How Much Does a Canaan Dog Cost? 3

Tips for Future Owners

  • They are mostly aloof with strangers so socialization at an early age is a must. Most breeders would have done this as early as 8-week old pups.
  • They are very adaptable dogs since they are innately independent. They are suited for apartment living and will not be clingy, unlike other breeds.
  • They only need moderate exercise despite them being herders. A morning and evening walk would be enough for them.
  • They can be very loyal to their owners and become territorial as they mature. If not properly trained, they will bark at any traffic they see from your home.
  • They can become rowdy together with other dogs so it’s usually not recommended to take them to dog parks.
  • They easily get bored during training so it is best to rev up their mental and physical exercises every week or so for them to retain their learnings.

It is highly recommended to have a visit to the breeder to see the dogs with your own eyes. You may be able to ask questions and see the parent dogs of the pup you’re eyeing. In this way, you will be able to assess the dog’s personality when it grows up. Find somewhere in the middle, not too rowdy and not too timid pups.

Claire Harrison

Claire’s love of dogs and Cocker Spaniels, in particular, led her to become a registered Kennel Club Cocker Spaniel breeder and she now lives at home with her four Cocker Spaniels, Peggy, Honey, Tiger, and Primrose.

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