Jerry, find a picture of the Canaan Dog, originally from the Middle East. It is a shorthair, medium-sized dog, white with black or brown, about 40-55 lbs, looks like a Border collie with short hair (Described in the book I mentioned, says it in now used in the USA so other pictures should be available).
Lots of breeds were used through time and various crossings tend to make changes. Breeds were developed regionally, and unless you can find a picture or a description from the Middle East of that time ??? The Canaan looks like a good bet, however.