If you have a spoiled, lazy pup that loves cheese treats, it’s hard to imagine their wild ancestor as a fierce predator.
A groundbreaking study reveals that the transformation from wolf to modern dog began over 10,000 years ago, much earlier than we thought. According to Dr. Allowen Evin, a lead researcher, the breed diversity we see today started forming after the last Ice Age, with some dogs still wolf-like and others with shorter snouts and stockier heads.
This research, published in Science, examined over 600 skulls from the past 50,000 years using 3D models. It shows that nearly 11,000 years ago, dogs began evolving distinct shapes, challenging the idea that Victorian breeders created modern breeds.
Dogs were the first domesticated animals, living closely with humans for at least 30,000 years. Their journey from wild predators to our loyal companions is still a mystery, but evidence suggests early interactions involved wolves scavenging near human communities. Over time, various factors—adapting to environments, food sources, and human preferences—shaped their appearance and behavior.
This study highlights that dogs have traveled with humans for thousands of years, evolving alongside us as part of our shared history. While my stubborn terrier may not give me the benefits the first domesticated wolves provided, I can see why once dogs started showing up for leftovers, there was no turning back.
Source: BBC
