Who is Benoni?

Just as Cayn, Kenite, and Cayin are names associated with Cain, "Benoni" is one of the many rumored names for the dog that eventually belonged to Cain. Interestingly, Cain was not Benoni's first master. Originally, the dog belonged to Cain's brother, Abel. And as a sheep herder, Abel's dog was much more than a simple pet. But it wasn't until Abel was killed that the dog was given to Cain. Known as a Canaan dog, this line of man's original best friend still exists today.

History of Benoni

The breed that we today call a "Canaan dog" dates back to ancient Israel, where it can be traced to the original Pariah dogs. The Pariah dogs belonged to one of the most ancient family of dogs, the Spitz, which was most likely Benoni's breed.

The Canaan Dog, also known as Kelev K'naani, is a recent breed that comes out of ancient Pariah dog stock. Dog experts and world authorities on Pariah Dogs, Drs. Rudolph and Rudolphina Menzel, developed the Canaan dog from redomesticated Pariah dog stock captured in the Palestine, according to The Canaan Dog Club of America.

Much like Benoni's owners Cain and Abel, the Israelis have used the Canaan dog for guard duties, as messengers, and as helpers.

The Canaan is an intelligent, trainable breed with keen senses of hearing and smell as well as excellent tracking ability. The Canaan dog, like Benoni, is a medium-sized, sturdy, squarely proportioned dog with a bushy tail that it carries curled over the back when the dog is alert. Its head is shaped like a blunt wedge with a shallow, but defined stop. The nose is dark and slightly slanted. The eyes are almond-shaped with dark rims and a slight slant. The pricked ears have a broad base, rounded tip, and are set high.

No question, it'll keep enemies away.

It is a also very hardy breed, well-adapted to the deserts. Drawings of similar looking dogs were found in tombs that date to 2200 BC. Interestingly, the caves of Einan and Hayonim are the sites in which the oldest remains of dogs have been found, from more than 10,000 years ago. Along with Benoni's service to Cain and Abel, the Bible includes a number of references to roaming dogs and dogs in the service of man.

But for the real Benoni, she can only be found in The Book of Lies.