Canaan dog

noun

Definition of Canaan dog

: any of a breed of medium-sized, square-bodied dogs developed in Israel from pariah dogs of the Negev desert region and having a short, straight, harsh coat and a bushy tail There are 2,000 to 3,000 Canaan dogs across the world, but most are closely related. If the gene pool is not continually strengthened with new bloodlines from the wild, experts say, the breed could develop degenerative diseases.— Nicolas Brulliard

First Known Use of Canaan dog

1948, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Canaan dog

Canaan (region of ancient Palestine); translation of New Hebrew kelebh kĕnaʽanī

Keep scrolling for more