Best Dog Food for a Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog is known as a “natural dog” and has its roots in the pariah dogs of the ancient Middle East. These dogs have existed in the Land of Canaan, with little human influence, for thousands of years. The physical appearance of the Canaan Dog — medium size, prick ears, and bushy tail curled over the back – is a basic canine type. Many dogs will revert to this type after a few generations of interbreeding without human intervention. For this reason, people can sometimes mistake a mixed breed dog in a shelter for a Canaan Dog but the odds of finding a real Canaan Dog in an animal shelter are remote. It’s estimated that there are fewer than 1000 Canaan Dogs in the United States today and only 2,000-3,000 Canaan Dogs in the world.
During Biblical times the Canaan Dog was common in the region. The ancient Israelites used the dogs for guarding and herding. However, when the Israelites were dispersed, the dogs they left behind had to fend for themselves. Many dogs took up residence in the Negev Desert and became feral except for the dogs that attached themselves to Bedouin tribes and earned their keep as herding dogs. Living in the desert for some 2,000 years, the Canaan Dogs avoided extinction.
The breed continued in this manner until the 20th century when Drs. Rudolph and Rudolphina Menzel began working to develop the modern breed. Starting in 1934 they began a selective breeding program to preserve the dogs’ hardiness, adaptability, acute senses, intelligence, character, and physical form. Many of these pariah dogs were recruited and trained for war work during World War II, working as sentries, messengers, Red Cross helpers, and mine detectors. After World War II ended, the breeding program concentrated on developing the Canaan as guide dogs for the blind, the only program of its kind in the Middle East.
The Menzels sent the first four Canaan Dogs to the United States in 1965 and a few dedicated people began to promote and preserve the breed. The AKC granted the Canaan Dog full recognition in 1997. They are the 181st most popular breed in the United States today. The breed is recognized by major dog registries around the world.
Today the Canaan Dog is the national breed of Israel. (For some unknown reason the Wikipedia entry for Canaan Dog states that the dogs are the national breed of Lebanon. This is inaccurate but this isn’t the place to get into a discussion of Canaan-Palestine and political issues.) Modern efforts to bring in more of the dogs from the desert for breeding purposes have been hampered by the Israeli government’s rabies eradication program which, along with other factors, has threatened to eliminate the remaining feral dogs. Loss of the desert dogs means that the Canaan Dog will lose a vital source of genetic diversity which is important for the longterm health of the breed.
The Canaan Dog is affectionate, sensitive, docile, and responsive with their families. They are very intelligent, loyal, and devoted companions. They are very good with children in your family. However, they may be less tolerant of unfamiliar children. Remember that it’s always important to supervise interactions between small children and dogs.
In the home, the Canaan Dog is very clean. They are typically very easy to housetrain.
The Canaan Dog has very keen senses. As you might expect from a breed that has had to fend for itself for so long – and so recently – the Canaan Dog has a strong sense of self-preservation and survival. They also have a strong sense of territoriality which makes them distrustful of strangers. They tend to be suspicious of new environments. They are alert and vigilant dogs. They may also be quite vocal. Expect a Canaan Dog to bark. These traits can make them good sentry dogs, letting you know whenever something is amiss. They are watchdogs, not guard dogs.
The Canaan is often passionate about digging. Their holes can vary from a comfy place to sleep to full archaeological excavations in your yard.
The Canaan Dog does tend to be quite independent which means they are not the dog for everyone. This is a breed that requires a great deal of careful early socialization. They also require training. They are very smart dogs and they learn quickly but they do not do well with continued repetition. All of these factors can make them a challenge to train, especially for someone who doesn’t have much experience with dogs or someone who is not comfortable with an independent type of dog.
As the Canaan Dog matures (around age 2), you can also expect them to become more “assertive,” territorial, and possessive. This aspect of their temperament can take different forms but the breed tends to be dominant. We encourage you to read the information about temperament provided by the Canaan Dog Club of America (CDCA). Continued socialization is definitely encouraged for the Canaan Dog. This is not usually a dog that you want to take to the dog park since they do not always play nicely with other dogs.
Many people who own Canaan Dogs enjoy taking part in events such as obedience, tracking, agility, flyball, rally, and herding. The Canaan Dog is more than capable of excelling at all of these events.
The Canaan Dog can be hard to find today. Breeders tend to be careful and very selective about placing the dogs. If you are interested in having a Canaan Dog you should contact a breeder but be prepared to be patient. You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the Canaan Dog on the Canaan Dog Club of America FAQ page.
Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which will direct you to our partner sites. If you purchase the pet foods we recommend through those links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Top 4 Dog Food Brands for a Canaan
Nutritional Needs
The male Canaan Dog is 20 to 24 inches tall at the withers. Females are 19 to 23 inches tall at the withers. They are moderate in substance and squarely proportioned. Male dogs generally weigh 45 to 55 pounds. Female dogs weight approximately 35 to 45 pounds. Males are distinctly masculine without being coarse. Female dogs are feminine without being overly refined.
Canaan Dogs are naturally alert, inquisitive, and watchful. They move with athletic agility and grace. Their characteristic gait is a brisk, tireless trot that indicates endurance. Dogs typically have medium energy levels. If your dog is herding or the two of you are training for agility, flyball or other activities, you should take that into account when determining how many daily calories your dog needs.
Growing puppies and young adults use a lot of energy. They require a diet that features good quality protein. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, a normally active adult Canaan Dog weighing 45 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1212 calories. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need slightly fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. If your Canaan Dog is participating in herding trials on the weekends you may need to bump up your dog’s daily calories to somewhere between 1347 and 2020 kcal/day (45 lb dog) – or more – depending on how much work he is doing. Growing puppies will also consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. a Canaan Dog puppy weighing 25 pounds (4-12 months of age) needs an estimated 866 calories per day.
With their typical height and weight, we consider the Canaan Dog a medium-sized breed, though some individuals in the upper range may be large dogs. Judging by the breed’s health survey and OFA data, it doesn’t appear that hip dysplasia is a significant problem in the breed. We wouldn’t think that a large breed food for puppies or adults is needed.
Dog breeders in general recommend that you do not add supplements to a good, balanced commercial puppy food. Over-supplementation or supplementation of the wrong thing can upset the nutrient balance of a food. This is particularly important with puppies when bones are developing. Adding extra calcium or other supplements to your puppy’s diet can lead to skeletal problems later and perhaps a need for surgery.
Most breeders recommend feeding a good puppy food until your puppy reaches about 90 percent of his adult size. You can also feed an all life stage dog food (sometimes AAFCO-approved for “growth and reproduction”) to puppies. Just make sure to check the nutrients to make sure they are suitable for puppies – especially the calcium levels and calcium to phosphorus ratio. You should talk to your breeder about the food they recommend for their puppies since they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop. Not all puppies will grow at the same rate, even in the same breed, so your puppy’s breeder is usually your best source of advice.
Protein is very important for your dog’s diet. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum of 22 percent protein for growth (puppies) and 18 percent protein for maintenance in adult dogs. Most good quality dog foods will far exceed these percentages. Fat is an important source of energy for dogs and should comprise at least 8 percent of the diet for Canaan Dog puppies and 5 percent of the diet for adults. Most dog foods today, regardless of the quality, have much more fat than this recommended amount. Choosing food with good quality sources of protein and fat is as important as the percentages.
Feeding Your Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog Club of America cautions owners to remember that dogs of this breed are omnivores. These dogs have been feral for centuries, eating what they were able to find, which was not always meat. At the same time, you should feed your Canaan Dog a high quality dog food.
Use foods preserved with tocopherols (Vitamin E). Do not use foods with chemical preservatives (such as ethoxyquin). Canaan Dog owners report good results with Purina Pro Plan, IAMS, Eukanuba, and California Naturals Innova.
Innova dog food has been discontinued since this advice was written but the other foods are still available. Some dog owners may not like these recommendations but ProPlan and Eukanuba are often favored by long-time dog breeders for nutritional reasons, though not necessarily because of their ingredients. These are not holistic foods (with the exception of California Naturals) but they are companies that spend a lot of money on research into canine nutrition and quality control. If you buy a Canaan Dog puppy (or any purebred puppy), there’s a good chance the breeder may recommend a puppy food from ProPlan, Eukanuba, or one of the other big pet food companies that puts money into research. It’s up to you whether you want to continue feeding one of these foods. If you decide to change foods to a more holistic puppy food, make sure you change foods slowly. Puppies have sensitive digestive systems. If you have a contract with your breeder, check it carefully. Some breeders specify that if you do not follow their recommended diet, the contract – and any health guarantees – will be void. Finally, consider carefully if you want to change puppy foods from the food your breeder recommends. Purina ProPlan and Eukanuba have been making puppy foods for decades. They have fed many thousands of puppies with good results. There are always exceptions but countless dogs have enjoyed quiet good health being raised on these foods. We understand that the ingredients look less appetizing than the ingredients in holistic puppy and dog foods but good results are also important.
Per the Canaan Dog Club of America:
Many Canaan Dog owners also report good results using the Bones And Raw Food (BARF) diet, described by Ian Billinghurst in his book Give Your Dog a Bone?
Raw diets are beyond the scope of this page but there are many good sites online where you can find information for this kind of diet if you would like to try it with your Canaan Dog. Some breeder web sites also recommend a raw diet for Canaan Dogs, or at least adding some “real food” to your dog’s kibble. Raw frozen diets can also be an option if you don’t have the time or inclination to work out a raw diet from scratch.
These recommendations from different Canaan Dog sources don’t make it easy to provide suggestions for the Canaan Dog’s diet. If you want to feed a good holistic dog food, we would recommend foods with moderate protein and fat. The Canaan Dog is not usually a high energy dog so feeding foods with lots of calories and high protein/fat content is probably not a good idea unless your dog is very active. Most information about the breed indicates that these dogs are not picky eaters. You can avoid filler ingredients, artificial preservatives, sweeteners, dyes, and over-used grains such as corn and wheat. But unless you are philosophically opposed to all grains and cereals, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to avoid grains like oatmeal, barley, or even a little rice.
Good quality, moderate puppy foods are also recommended.
We think that the Canaan Dog will do well eating animal protein sources such as chicken, fish, and eggs. Good foods for the Canaan Dog should also have omega fatty acids (3 and 6), glucosamine and chondroitin, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, along with vitamins and minerals.
You can feed puppies three meals per day. Adult Canaan Dogs should do well eating two meals per day.
Based on the extensive breed health survey, it does not appear that any allergies, including food allergies, are a particular problem for Canaan Dogs. However, it’s always possible that a few Canaan Dogs could have a food allergy – and one of them could be yours. Keep in mind that there are different kinds of allergies: inhalant, contact, flea bite, and food. Many dog lovers automatically think of food allergies when you mention allergies, but flea bite allergies and inhalant allergies actually account for far more allergic reactions in dogs than food allergies. So, if your Canaan Dog seems to be having an allergic reaction, with itching, scratching, redness, etc., it may not be due to the food he’s eating.
Working with your veterinarian can help you identify the kind of allergy your dog has. If it turns out that your Canaan Dog does have a food allergy, your veterinarian can help you identify the specific ingredients that trigger your dog’s reaction so you can avoid it. However, you should be aware that if your dog does have a food allergy, there is a good chance that he will develop reactions to more foods/ingredients as he gets older. You will probably have to change food again in the future so be alert to your dog’s reaction to his food.
If your Canaan Dog has problems with diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, or a gurgly stomach when he eats, this is not a food allergy. It’s probably a food sensitivity. If you’ve seen the movie Along Came Polly with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, you probably recall the scene where they eat at an ethnic restaurant and Ben Stiller’s character is in agony. Some people – and dogs – have food sensitivities to certain foods, spices, etc. If your Canaan Dog has a food sensitivity you will need to try to determine the cause so you can avoid the ingredient(s). It’s often a good idea to feed a dog with a food sensitivity a food with a minimal number of ingredients so there is less chance of giving him something that could upset his gastrointestinal system. Keep his food simple and fairly bland.
Whether you feed your dog a food with or without grains is a personal choice. Many people choose grain free dog foods because their dogs have digestive problems, food allergies or sensitivities, or skin problems. You may want to avoid the most common grains, such as corn and wheat which are often over-used in dog foods, but there are many good dog foods that use alternative grains/cereals such as oats and barley. You can try a couple of foods, with and without grains, and see how your dog does on the foods so you can make your decision.
Keep in mind that food allergies are based on the proteins in foods and not carbohydrates. The most common dog food allergens are: beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, and soy. While we usually think of ingredients such as corn and wheat as sources of carbohydrates, these cereals/grains also contain proteins. When dogs (or people) have allergies to these ingredients, they are reacting to the proteins and not the carbs. There can be other good reasons to avoid lots of carbohydrates in your dog’s food, but allergies are usually protein-related.
Otherwise, try to feed your Canaan Dog a good quality diet that has good sources of meat protein. It’s easier for a dog to digest good meat protein than protein that comes from poor quality sources of animal protein that may be found in some cheaper dog foods. Dogs also digest animal protein more easily than plant protein for the most part. (Sure, a pet food company can cook peas and lentils to a mushy consistency to make them easier to digest but your dog will get more complete nutrition from animal protein and it will agree with him better.) This doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive dog food available but you should look for good quality foods with good quality ingredients. They are better for both the short-term and long-term health of your dog.
It’s also a good idea to select a food that has fewer carbohydrates. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t necessarily mean grain free. Many grain free dog foods are loaded with carbs. Potatoes and sweet potatoes, for example, can send carb percentages very high. And some dog foods with grains have modest amounts of carbohydrates. We recommend doing a little math when you’re considering a dog food and figuring out the dry matter basis so you can tell what the actual protein, fat, and carbohydrate percentages are in a food.
For medium and larger size dogs, it’s usually easier on the pocketbook to feed kibble instead of canned food. Kibble costs less per ounce than canned food. Canned food can have more protein than kibble (on a dry matter basis) but some dry dog foods today have extremely high percentages of meat protein. They can also be very expensive. Again, some of these things are personal choices that you have to make for yourself depending on your budget. You can find very good kibbles with good meat protein for reasonable prices, especially if you order online from sites like Chewy.com. We always recommend that you figure the dry matter basis for the foods you are considering, whether they are canned or kibble, so you can make a good comparison of the protein, fat, fiber, carbs, and other nutrients.
Theoretically, when you buy and feed better quality dog food you feed your dog less food. Unfortunately, we do not find that to always be the case. If you are used to feeding two scoops of the old food, for example, you may continue to dish out two scoops of the new ultra super max premium dog food – which has double the calories. And your dog happily eats all the food. Next thing you know, Fido is the size of a house. If you are switching foods, make sure you check the label and see how many calories the food has. Have a good idea how much food you need to feed so you don’t accidentally overfeed your dog. It’s very easy for a dog to become overweight before you really notice!
And, of course, keep plenty of fresh water available for your dog at all times. Grain free foods with higher protein percentages, especially, can make dogs very thirsty, so keep the water bowl full.
Canaan Dog Health Problems
Considering the low numbers of Canaan Dogs in the world and the fact that the breed has only been formally recognized in recent decades, there is probably more health information available than you might expect.
As a natural breed, the Canaan Dog has been subject to harsh selection pressures for centuries. This means that only the fittest dogs have survived to be able to reproduce. The breed today is still considered to be very healthy.
The Canaan Dog Club of America recommends breeders have the following tests performed on their dogs:
Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist
A DNA profile for each dog is also suggested.
Here are the current OFA statistics for the Canaan Dog.
Evaluations through December 2016
|
Registry |
Rank |
Evaluations |
Percent |
Percent |
Percent |
Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CARDIAC |
N/A |
16 |
.0 |
93.8 |
.0 |
6.3 |
|
DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY |
20 |
212 |
7.1 |
54.7 |
38.2 |
.0 |
|
ELBOW |
103 |
196 |
1.0 |
99.0 |
.0 |
.0 |
|
EYES |
56 |
59 |
1.7 |
98.3 |
.0 |
.0 |
|
HIPS |
176 |
504 |
2.4 |
97.0 |
.0 |
.6 |
|
PATELLA |
79 |
136 |
1.5 |
98.5 |
.0 |
.0 |
|
SHOULDER |
N/A |
1 |
.0 |
100.0 |
.0 |
.0 |
|
THYROID |
31 |
157 |
6.4 |
87.9 |
.0 |
5.7 |
Statistics from the OFA database
You can see from these tests that Canaan Dog breeders appear to have some concerns about degenerative myelopathy, even though this test is not mentioned by the breed club. This would be something to ask about if you are talking to a breeder, in addition to the recommended tests.
The breed has done an extensive health survey which includes dogs from various countries. If you are interested in the Canaan Dog, especially as a pet, we recommend spending some time studying the answers to this survey. Overall, it appears that the state of health in the breed is very good. You can find some very detailed information about the health of the breed and how Canaan Dog breeders and owners raise and care for their dogs.
The typical lifespan of the Canaan Dog is about 15 years.
Along with good breeding practices, health testing, and good vet care, many dog lovers try to keep their dogs healthy by feeding dog food that has more natural ingredients. There is a belief that this can help keep a dog’s immune system stronger. Many people recommend feeding a food that is free of some of the most common food irritants such as corn, soy, and wheat. These are not the most common dog food allergens – beef, dairy products, and chicken, for example, lead to more food allergies for dogs than corn, soy, and wheat. But many people like to avoid soy and grains in dog foods. There are many good grain free dog foods today if you want to feed one to your dog. Avoiding artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives is also suggested as a way to help keep the immune system stronger.
Ingredients to Look for and Some to Avoid
As with most dogs, when choosing a food for your Canaan Dog you should look for a food that has good sources of protein and fat.
Ideally you will select a dog food that features two or three meat proteins in the first several ingredients listed. It’s not unusual today to see a food list both chicken and chicken meal, for example, as the first two ingredients. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to foods such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb. Some people don’t like meat meals as much as whole meats but they are a concentrated form of the meat in which the moisture has been removed. They contain several times as much protein as a whole meat. Meat meals are usually quite acceptable as one of the first ingredients in a good quality dog food. They are used by many good dog food brands. Some companies will go a step further and also add a related organ meat. For example, if the first two ingredients are whole chicken and chicken meal, they may also add chicken liver. That’s fine. This is one way of adding more protein to the food. Most dogs will enjoy foods that have liver added. It is best if the liver is named. We don’t like to see generic liver. It’s important to remember that liver, hearts, kidneys, lungs, and so on are technically meat by-products so you always want the dog food manufacturer to be as specific as possible about the ingredients they are using.
Many dog foods today, even some of the most expensive and highly touted, use lots of plant proteins such as lentils and peas. These foods often have high protein percentages on the label. When you read the guaranteed analysis it’s important to consider how much of the protein in the food comes from meat and how much comes from plants. Your dog is able to digest meat protein more easily than plant protein. Meat protein is a much more natural source of protein for your dog than plant protein.
Dogs also need good sources of fat. You should look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Other named fats also provide needed nutrients such as fish oil which can provide omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat healthy. Puppies can benefit from DHA which is Docosahexaenoic acid. This is a specific form of omega-3 fatty acid that helps with brain and eye development. Older dogs seem to benefit from medium chain triglycerides which feature medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These have been found to help older dogs feel and act younger. They are often made from a combination of coconut oil and other oils.
If you want to avoid corn, soy, and wheat in your dog food, your Canaan Dog may still be able to eat an alternative grain such as barley or oats. Or you can feed a grain free dog food that uses an alternate source of carbs that is low glycemic. You don’t have to feed a dog food with an excessively high percentage of protein but it’s a good idea to keep the carb percentage low to moderate.
If your Canaan Dog has a food allergy or food sensitivity, you may need to work with your veterinarian to identify the food triggers unless they are very obvious. There are lots of good foods with less common meat proteins today as well as limited ingredient diets which we will discuss below.
Recommended Dog Food For Canaan Dogs
Canaan Dogs should be able to eat most good quality dog foods but every dog is an individual. Even dogs in the same breed can have different food needs. Some dogs need more calories than others. Some dogs will do better with more protein or fat than other dogs. We are providing several suggested foods for your Canaan Dog which meet our standards but you may have to use a trial and error method to see which food your dog does best on. Even among Canaan Dogs some dogs will use more energy than others.
When you are trying a new food, be sure to allow several days to slowly transition to the food, mixing in a little of your dog’s old food each day. Of course, if your dog shows signs that he doesn’t like the food or doesn’t tolerate it, you will have to make adjustments. If your dog eats the food but you don’t like his condition after a few weeks, you can change him back – slowly – to his previous food. It’s best not to go directly to another new food. You can upset your dog’s gastrointestinal system if you keep changing to too many new foods in a short period of time. Once your dog has settled back with his old food, you can once again try a new food. You should allow at least a couple of weeks between foods before trying another new food so you can give your dog’s system a chance to rest and recover. This also gives the new food a fair chance.
If you try a new food and your dog doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it, you might also try another food from the same product line that uses a different kind of meat protein or other ingredients. As long as the guaranteed analysis and nutrient percentages are similar, the food should be similar to the original food you selected.
When you are feeding a new food and your dog is eating it without problems, it’s important for you to assess his physical condition. Is he gaining or losing weight on the new food? Does his coat look healthy? Are his eyes bright? Does he seem to have good energy or is he more lethargic than usual? And, the big question for any dog lover – what does his poop look like? As most dog lovers know, you can tell a lot about a dog’s health by checking his poop. Does it look normal and firm? If he having regular bowel movements? Those are good signs. If your dog is having runny poop or diarrhea; or if he is having trouble with his bowel movements, it could be because of the new food. These are all things you should note during the first few weeks of feeding a new food. Even if your dog LOVES the food, if he’s not thriving, you may have to rethink his diet or how much you are feeding him.
Very often, if a dog has loose stool or other gastrointestinal problems with a food, even if he really likes the food, it can be because you are 1) feeding too much of the food; or 2) the food is too rich. What does too rich mean? It means the food may have too many calories for your dog’s needs. It might have too much fat for your dog. Or, the protein percentage may be too high. You can also check the fiber percentage. Maybe it’s too high. If cutting back on the portions doesn’t help, you need to try changing the food.
You should also remember that dogs are a little like people. Their appetites can vary depending on things like the weather and their mood at times. Most dogs will eat more in the winter and less in the summer, especially if you live in a climate with wide changes in the temperature. So, if your dog is not eating as much when it’s hot in the summer, it doesn’t necessarily indicate anything to be alarmed about. If your dog is eating more food in the winter – and putting on weight – you may want to see if your dog’s favorite food has a formula with a little less fat or fewer calories so he won’t gain too much weight. Then go back to his favorite formula when he’s more active in warm weather.
We have tried to select foods for Canaan Dogs with moderate protein and moderate fat levels. Most of the foods we have selected here do not contain corn, wheat, or soy, unless noted. You may have to try a couple of foods to find which one is best for your dog. You should also keep in mind that your dog’s dietary needs can change as he grows and ages so you may have to change foods to suit him.
Best Dog Foods for a Canaan
| Food | Price | Nutrition | Rating |
 Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals FormulaRead Reviews  Where To Buy |
$1.36/lb |  |
 |
|
|
$2.16/lb | |
|
|
|
$3.08/lb | |
|
|
|
$1.41/lb | |
|
Best Dog Foods for Canaan Dog Adults
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula
This Canidae formula is an all life stages food so you can feed it to dogs of all ages. The first five ingredients are: Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, and white rice. The food does contain grains (rice, oatmeal, barley) but even many dogs that have problems with corn or wheat can eat these grains which provide dietary fiber. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The food is naturally preserved and it contains pre- and probiotics for healthy digestion, along with antioxidants and omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids for good skin and coat. The guaranteed analysis shows 24 percent crude protein; 14.5 percent crude fat; and 4 percent crude fiber. It has 468 kcal/cup. We think this is a good food for dogs that do well on moderate protein and fat. Canidae has had a good reputation for many years.
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
If you would like a higher protein percentage for your Canaan Dog, many dog owners like Merrick Grain Free foods. The first five ingredients in this food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes. This recipe is an all life stage food with 460 kcal per cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated). It has 70 percent meat ingredients, 30 percent vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. It is grain free – no corn, wheat, or soy. No gluten. No ingredients from China. It has 38 percent crude protein and 17 percent crude fat, with 3.5 percent crude fiber. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin added, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Merrick uses local growers from Texas, where the food is made. We think this food has good quality protein and other ingredients for a very active Canaan Dog. Not everyone will like a protein percentage this high but if you do, give this food a try.
*New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food
If your Canaan Dog is very active (herding or doing agility, for example), we can also recommend Acana foods. Champion Pet Foods has completed their new kitchen in Kentucky and they have reformulated some of their dog and cat foods to reflect what is now “regional” to the Kentucky area. So, it’s still the same award-winning company, but Acana is being made in Kentucky. We’ve had a chance to review the Acana dog and cat foods and there are some changes in the meat proteins but the foods still look good. If you visit the Acana web site you can view the old and new formulas to see the changes (we really like being able to compare the formulas). The current (old) Grasslands formula, for example, is heavy on lamb, duck, whitefish, and lentils. The new formula will feature goat meal and catfish meal, in addition to the lamb and duck. The old formula has 31 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The new formula has 33 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 6 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture. The food has 60 percent animal protein ingredients and 40 percent vegetables, fruits, and botanicals. No grains, potatoes, or tapioca. If you’re looking for a good grain free dog food for your Canaan Dog that is low in carbohydrates, we think that the Acana foods are a good choice. Acana foods typically have slightly less meat protein than Orijen (made by the same company), but we think they’re a good choice for many dogs. Most people still seem to like the Acana foods now that they are being made in Kentucky but if you have questions about them, we recommend talking to people who feed these foods to their dogs for their opinions.
Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food
If you would like a food with a little less protein, we also like Fromm Adult Gold. This formula has duck, chicken meal, and chicken as the first three ingredients. It has 24 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, and 3.5 percent crude fiber, with 408 kcal/cup. It is AAFCO-approved for growth and maintenance. The food includes salmon oil – a great source of omega-3 fatty acid for healthy skin and coat; probiotics, and prebiotics. No corn, wheat, or soy. The food is also made at the family’s own facilities in Wisconsin. The Fromm family has been making dog food and dog products for over 100 years and they have a great reputation. The food includes brown rice and pearled barley in the first five ingredients. It does contain oatmeal and potatoes so if you are trying to keep the carbs very low you may not like this food. However, we think the ingredients are good quality and many dogs will do well on this food. You can see the technical analysis for the food, with the dry matter basis figures on the site. Fromm also makes their popular Four Star line of dog foods which feature favorites such as Chicken a la Veg and Hasen Duckenfeffer.
Best Dog Foods for Canaan Dog Puppies
Canaan Dog puppies can usually begin eating a puppy food right after they are weaned or they can eat a good all life stage food. If you have questions about how to feed your puppy, we recommend talking to your puppy’s breeder. They usually have the most experience with raising Canaan Dog puppies and can guide you.
Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. It’s also important that dog and puppy foods do not have an excess of calcium since this can affect bone growth. If you are feeding your puppy a food that is properly formulated, you should not add any extra calcium, such as milk, cottage cheese, or other calcium supplements. Doing so can lead to serious health problems such as OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) and other orthopedic problems.
Keep in mind that all life stage dog foods are formulated to be nutritionally adequate for growing puppies. Foods for puppies may also have the AAFCO statement that they are approved for “growth and reproduction.”
Here are some of the puppy foods we like for Canaan Dog puppies.
Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula
This is one of our favorite foods for all puppies. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula is a limited ingredient food with nine ingredients plus vitamins and minerals and probiotics. It’s grain free with probiotics to help digestion; antioxidants for a healthy immune system; and omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and a beautiful coat. The first five ingredients are chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, and potatoes. The recipe is supposed to be especially good for puppies with sensitive digestion. The food has 30 percent crude protein, 12 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. This food checks in at 520 kcal/cup, so it’s high in calories but active, growing Canaan Dog puppies can usually burn them off. Just remember that you don’t need to feed a lot of food with these very nutrient-dense foods. If your Canaan Dog puppy does well on this puppy food, Canidae has some good adult foods – both grain free and foods with grains.
Fromm Puppy Gold formula
Similar to Fromm’s Gold Adult formula, this puppy formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first three ingredients are duck, chicken meal, and chicken. The food has moderate protein and fat to encourage puppies to grow slowly. The food has 417 kcal/cup. The technical analysis for the food shows the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio for puppies. The food has 27 percent crude protein; 18 percent crude fat; and 3.5 percent crude fiber. Fromm Puppy Gold formula also has added DHA-rich salmon oil for good brain and eye development in puppies. The USDA-inspected ingredients for the food are delivered fresh each morning. We think this food could be a good choice for Canaan Dog puppies.
Best Dog Foods for the Senior Canaan Dog
It’s not unusual for many Canaan Dogs to live into their teen years. This means that you will probably need to consider what kind of food to feed your dog as he gets older. As your dog ages it’s a good idea to plan an annual senior check-up with your vet. Many older dogs begin to put on pounds as they become less active. For this reason, most senior dog foods have fewer calories and they can skimp on protein. You should watch your older dog’s weight as he gets older to make sure he doesn’t become overweight. In some cases you can simply cut back on the portions of his regular dog food to help him stay fit or increase his exercise.
On the other hand, some very old dogs often start to have some problems metabolizing nutrients, including protein. It can become hard for them to keep good muscle tone and weight as they age. For this reason, you may wish to avoid many dog foods labeled “senior.” These foods are often formulated for older dogs that have gained weight. Instead, look for a senior dog food that has lots of protein. As long as your older dog doesn’t have any problems with his kidneys or with phosphorus, there is no reason to avoid higher protein levels.
It’s very important that senior dogs have good quality protein. Good quality protein is easier to digest and metabolize than poor quality protein. It provides the older dog with more nutrition that he can use. So, plan on giving your older Canaan Dog the very best food possible with excellent sources of protein.
Orijen Senior Dog
Orijen Senior provides plenty of excellent quality protein for your older dog. This food features free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs. It helps keep older dogs in good muscle even as they become less active. Made of 80 percent meats and fish, the food is low-glycemic and has low carbs to help keep your older dog’s blood sugar steady. The food also contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep your dog’s joints healthy. The food is 38 percent crude protein and 15 percent crude fat. It checks in at 445 kcal per 250ml/120g cup. We think this is a very good food for senior dogs who often need extra protein as they get older. (We know Orijen is expensive but this food really stands out for senior dogs.)
Another food you may want to consider for older dogs is Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin. This food (and several others in this product line) is potato-free with no corn or wheat, easy to digest, and low-glycemic. It contains pumpkin and oatmeal for healthy gut motility. The first five ingredients are: Venison, Venison Meal, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, and Oatmeal. Meat protein comes from grass-fed venison. The dry matter basis for this food is an estimated 37.8 percent protein;14.4 percent fat; 3.9 percent fiber; and 35 percent carbs. The calorie count (calculated) is Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3320 kcal/kg; 348 kcal/cup. This food is not specifically made for senior dogs but we think those look like good figures for senior dogs that need more good quality protein without extra fat.
Best Dog Foods for Canaan Dogs with Skin Problems
If your Canaan Dog is having skin problems or problems with food allergies, you will probably want to avoid foods that contain known food allergens such as beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog is having food allergies – which usually manifest as itching, redness, chewing, hair loss, and sometimes ear problems – you will need to identify the trigger for his allergy. You can try to guess the trigger or work with your veterinarian on a food trial and elimination diet for your dog. You may need to find a novel protein for your dog – a protein that he has not eaten previously. Natural Balance has a selection of limited ingredient diets that can be helpful for dogs with food allergies. You might try giving your dog the rabbit formula, kangaroo formula, venison formula, or bison formula. He should be able to eat a meat protein that he has not eaten previously without having an allergic reaction.
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit Dry Dog Formula
This limited ingredient diet food has limited sources of protein and carbs. It’s also grain free and complete and balanced for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. The food should be easy for your Canaan Dog to digest and it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe
Any dog suffering from skin problems or food allergies may benefit from Wild Calling’s Xotic Essentials recipes. Formulas like their rabbit meal recipe use exotic meats that are rare in today’s pet food market so your dog probably hasn’t eaten them before – and has less chance of having an allergic reaction. The foods are also highly digestible. Wild Calling also uses what they call LITe (limited ingredient technology). They don’t use any of the ingredients commonly found in most dog foods such as chicken, grain, gluten, egg, yeast, corn, wheat or soy. If your Canaan Dog has a food allergy, he may benefit from Wild Calling. The foods are formulated for rotational feeding and they offer several Xotic Essentials recipes, such as kangaroo and bison, so your dog doesn’t get over-exposed to one kind of meat protein. This is an All Life Stage food. We think that dogs with skin problems and food allergies can definitely benefit from these recipes.
Another food that is often recommended for dogs with food allergies and skin problems is Zignature. It comes in proteins such as trout & salmon, kangaroo, turkey, duck, venison, and others. It’s available in dry and canned versions. Foods are potato- and grain-free, and chicken-free. They do not use common bonding agents (thickeners and ingredients to hold the food together) in their foods which are high in simple carbs and starches. They only use low glycemic carbs such as chickpeas that add extra protein and fiber to the food. They work with Tuffy’s in Minnesota and Performance Pet in South Dakota to make their foods. Many people like Zignature very much. If you have a dog with food allergies, this is a brand that you might consider. This duck formula is a good example with hypo-allergenic meat first, no corn, wheat, soy, dairy or chicken, chicken eggs or chicken by-products.
Best Dog Foods for Canaan Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
Many dogs are susceptible to food sensitivities that affect their digestion and excretion. If your dog has a sensitive stomach it can be an indication of a food sensitivity, which is different form a food allergy. A dog with a food sensitivity will have gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Or it could be something more serious.
A dog with a sensitive stomach can often be helped by feeding the right dog food. Sticking to a limited ingredient diet food with as few ingredients as possible can reduce the chance of your dog having a bad reaction to something in the food.
Many people recommend Wellness Simple for dogs with food sensitivities. The formulas feature only five main ingredients to keep things very simple for your Canaan Dog. Wellness makes formulas that are both grain free and some that have grains such as oatmeal. The food is easy to digest and contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the gastrointestinal system. It also contains omega fatty acids for good skin and coat. Formulas feature duck, salmon, turkey, and lamb. Wellness Simple comes in dry and canned formulas.
We also recommend Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food. This food is grain free with limited ingredients. It has good quality, alternative ingredients that are easily digestible for a dog with a sensitive stomach. And it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The first five ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Fish Meal, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols). It has 21 percent crude protein, 10 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 350 kcal/cup and it’s a maintenance formula. If your dog can’t eat some of the ingredients in this food, Natural Balance has lots of other LID recipes that you might check.
If your dog can’t eat these ingredients, you might try one of the Weruva foods or Acana Singles. Weruva also has lots of foods with pumpkin which can sometimes help a dog with stomach issues.
Best Dog Foods for Overweight Canaan Dogs
Many dogs begin to slow down as they get older. You may be able to help your Canaan Dog lose weight by cutting back on his portions and encouraging him to get more exercise.
If your Canaan Dog needs to lose more than a few pounds, however, you may need to consider a weight control dog food.
We do not recommend a weight control dog food for a puppy or a very old dog. These foods generally have fewer calories and may have some other differences in nutrients that make them inappropriate for growing puppies or older dogs who need special nutrition. Many weight control foods contain a lot of filler ingredients or empty carbohydrates which makes it hard to recommend them.
If you have a Canaan Dog who needs to lose weight, we can recommend Fromm Gold Weight Management. It can be hard to find a good weight control dog food but Fromm is a quality brand with good ingredients. This food has 25 percent crude protein and 10 percent crude fat so it’s not that much different from some of the adult foods we’ve recommended. It has 341 Kcal/cup. Fed in moderation, it should help most overweight Canaan Dogs lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The first five ingredients are: Turkey Liver, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, and Dried Tomato Pomace.
Fromm also has a grain free weight control formula called Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food with the same crude protein and fat percentages if you prefer a grain free weight control food for your dog.
If your dog needs to lose weight, you should proceed slowly. No crash dieting. You should aim for your dog to lose no more than 3 to 5 percent of his body weight per month or about one percent each week.
Conclusion
The Canaan Dog is a rare and ancient breed but many people are only becoming aware of them today for the first time. When you look at the Canaan Dog you are seeing the same dog found in the Bible – the same dog that Moses knew. There are only a few Canaan Dogs in the world today so this is a breed to be appreciated and preserved for many reasons. If you’re interested in owning a Canaan Dog, talk to a breeder and find out if this is the right breed for you. Even if the breed is not a good fit for you, learning about these dogs is just cool.
Below is a list of products reviewed in this article
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Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula
- Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food
- Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula
- Nulo Freestyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin
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Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit
- Zignature
- Wellness Simple
- Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food
- Fromm Gold Weight Management
- Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food
