The Kanaani (also spelled Canaani) is a young, experimental cat breed. It was developed to create a domestic cat that looks like a wild forest cat, and the breeders succeeded: the new breed resembles a noble spotted wildcat. Many people compare the Kanaani to the Ocicat and the Savannah.
History of the Breed
The breed comes from Jerusalem, Israel. Its name comes from Canaan, the historical region mentioned in the Bible.
These cats were first bred at the “Ha Jeruschalmi” cattery in the 1990s. The breed’s creator is considered to be Doris Pollatschek, a Russian-Israeli sculptor. First, a wild cat was crossed with a domestic cat. Then Oriental Shorthair, Abyssinian, and Bengal blood was added.
The Kanaani’s final look was presented in 2000. Since 2008, only Kanaani-to-Kanaani breeding has been allowed.
Kanaani Breed Description
Kanaani cats are medium to large, weighing 9 to 18 lb. The breed is officially recognized only by the WCF, an international organization based in Germany, since the breed was developed there for a long time.
Detailed description according to the WCF standard:
- Head: medium-sized, shaped like a broad triangle, with prominent cheekbones but no whisker pinch. The forehead is slightly rounded compared to the muzzle, the nose is straight with no sharp stop, and the chin is strong;
- Ears: wide at the base, large, and pointed at the tips, set wide apart, giving an alert look. Ear tufts are desirable, along with a thumbprint-like marking on the back of the ears;
- Eyes: large, almond-shaped, set wide apart and at a slight slant (an Oriental-looking Kanaani is considered a fault). Adult cats always have green eyes (yellow-green is allowed);
- Body: muscular and athletic, yet slender, graceful, and elegant, with a long neck;
- Legs: long and slender, with oval paw pads; the cat moves like a big wildcat;
- Tail: long, fairly thick at the base, and tapering toward the tip;
- Coat: close-lying, short, with a light undercoat. The texture is more coarse than soft. The hairs are long enough to show clear ticking over the base color and pattern, but the ticking shouldn’t blur the spotted pattern.
Personality
Kanaani cats become very attached to their people. They’re smart, affectionate, and playful. Although the breed is very spirited, it’s easy to teach these cats the house rules. But be ready to deal with stubbornness and a good dose of self-confidence. A Kanaani may sit in your lap and purr for a bit, but it won’t last long.
Thanks to their strong hind legs, these cats are great jumpers and can get up to any height. They’re energetic, athletic animals that need plenty of room to move and, without fail, a scratching post. They’re very curious and always trying to climb into something.
The Kanaani doesn’t like being alone, but it will happily welcome another cat or a dog into its company.
Care and Health
Because this is a fairly young breed, there’s no information yet about inherited diseases typical for it. Since the Kanaani has some Bengal blood, it may have inherited a tendency toward hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Bengals also have very sensitive stomachs, so the Kanaani needs to be fed carefully. Don’t give it food from your table, especially fatty, salty, or sweet foods. It’s better to choose a balanced commercial food that’s rich in protein, among other things, and carbohydrates. These cats aren’t prone to obesity; on the contrary, they move a lot and burn energy, but you still shouldn’t overfeed them.
Overall, caring for a Kanaani is standard: brush it once a week, clean its teeth, ears, and eyes, and take it to the vet regularly.
Colors
The breed standard allows shades from beige to brown with spots that are slightly blurred by the ticking. The pattern can be spotted or marbled. So a Kanaani can come in the following colors:
- Seal spotted,
- Chocolate spotted,
- Cinnamon spotted,
- Seal marbled,
- Chocolate marbled,
- Cinnamon marbled.
Silver shades aren’t allowed. Whatever the color, the tail tip must have at least three rings; this sets the breed apart from others. The tip of the tail and the paw pads must be black, like a true wildcat’s. There’s also a “necklace” on the neck, and one ring may be broken. An “M” marking is clearly visible on the forehead. The nose is brick red, outlined in a shade matching the coat.
How Much Does a Kanaani Cat Cost?
The Kanaani is a young and very rare breed, so these cats are expensive. Kittens are rarely offered in the US. On the few breeder websites abroad, a Kanaani kitten costs €650–€2,000 (about $750–$2,300), and you should add the cost of importing a kitten to the US.
Where to Buy a Kanaani in the US
The breed is mainly known in Israel and Germany. In the US, a small revival program for the breed is underway, led by breeder Mikhail Salita in cooperation with breeders in Israel, and it has started registering Kanaani cats with TICA. Beyond that, the Kanaani has very little following, and you won’t find it in most US catteries.
To look for a breeder, start with TICA’s breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/. Be ready for a long waiting list or an import from Israel or Europe.
