Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Smooth coat, short.
A Canaan Dog suits
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You want a tidy house: shedding is 4 of 5
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 5 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 5 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 184.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Norwegian LundehundKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Canaan Dog vs Norwegian Lundehund · Canaan Dog vs Belgian Malinois · Canaan Dog vs Alaskan Malamute
Frequently asked questions
Are Canaan Dogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Canaan Dog 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Canaan Dogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 4 out of 5 (high), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Canaan Dogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Canaan Dog have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Canaan Dog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.