How dogs became dogs

It was thought until very recently that dogs were wild until about 12, years ago. But DNA analysis published in suggests a date of about , years ago for the transformation of wolves to dogs.

This means that wolves began to adapt to human society long before humans settled down and began practicing agriculture. This earlier timing casts doubt on the long-held myth that humans domesticated dogs to serve as guards or companions to assist them.

Rather, say some experts, dogs may have exploited a niche they discovered in early human society and got humans to take them in out of the cold. Topics Covered: Adaptation and Natural Selection. Evolution of the Dog:. From Pekingese to St. Web Activities. About the Project. Scientists believe dogs started moving around the world, perhaps with their human companions, about 20, years ago.

By 7, years ago, they were pretty much everywhere, although they were not the kind of dogs that we would consider pets. The dogs were later bred for their skills as hunters, herders or gundogs, eventually creating hundreds of modern breeds. The research, published in Nature Communications, suggests even the dog breeds and village dogs found in the Americas and Pacific Islands are almost completely derived from recent European dog stock.

This is probably due to prolific dog breeding in Victorian times. Previous evidence suggested that the first domestic dogs appeared on opposite sides of the Eurasian continent more than 12, years ago. Later, the eastern dogs moved with migrating humans and bred with those from the west, according to this theory. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.

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