Join the Canaan Dog Club of America Club Today!

Learn about the history and mission of our club. We are passionate about our Canaan Dogs and strive to make a positive impact in our community.

No one is more deserving than Donna Dodson, who passed away last August, to be the CDCA Member of the Year. I wish that I had thought to nominate her last year while she was still with us, as she would have been very pleased with the recognition and remembrance.

Donna’s loss has left a huge void in the Canaan Dog community. Those of us who have been in the breed for decades realize that.

Newer members, I encourage you to read the Fall 2024 Kibitzer tribute issue to understand what she did for the breed and meant to its preservation. I’d like to add just a bit more here.

Donna held many positions in what is now the CDCA both before and after AKC recognition. She was a driving force in obtaining that recognition.

Donna participated in a variety of activities with her dogs and to her they were all important. She bred some top performance Canaan Dogs, but will be most remembered for her conformation dogs. Pleasant Hill Canaan Dogs have been prominent for decades. Since 2010, Pleasant Hill CDs won 8 CDCA National Specialties and their offspring have won the last 2, and 10 Westminster BOBs and their offspring, the last 3.

She had a clear vision as to what the Canaan Dog should be and she devoted much of her life to perfecting that vision. Without Donna and her dedication, the breed would not be where it is today.