Breed Recognition
The Canaan Dog was first recognized by the Israel Kennel Club in 1953 and by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) in 1966. The first accepted standard was written by Dr. Menzel.
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom officially recognized the breed in 1970.
In 1986, the first Canaan Dogs dogs were brought to Finland from Sha'ar Hagai Kennel, in Israel.
Canaan Dogs in the U.S.
On September 7, 1965, Dr. Menzel sent four dogs to Ursula Berkowitz of Oxnard, California, the first Canaan Dogs in the United States. The Canaan Dog Club of America was formed the same year, and stud book records were kept from these first reports.
In June 1989, the Canaan Dog entered the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous Class and dogs were registered in the AKC Stud Book as of June 1, 1997. The dogs began competing in conformation on August 12, 1997.
Canaan Dogs in Canada
The first Canaan Dog came to Canada May 16, 1970. The dogs came from a kennel in Delaware.
The Canadian Canaan Club (CCC) was formed in 1972, and the first executive of the Club was elected on March 15, 1973. The club has since been dissolved.
The Canaan Dog obtained entry into the Miscellaneous Class of the Canadian Kennel Club on December 1, 1975. In January 1993, the breed was accepted in the Working Group, as the Canadian Kennel Club did not have a Herding group at that time.