Domestic Dogs: A New Perspective in Anthropological Studies of Human Evolution

Just now November 10, 2026 1 min read 📰 Phys.org

📋 Key Takeaway

A new review paper suggests that domestic dogs can provide valuable insights into human evolution, alongside traditional studies involving primates. The research, led by Kyle Smith from NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine, highlights the importance of considering a broader range of animals in anthropological studies. This perspective could influence how anthropological research is conducted in Iran, where both human and animal studies are significant.

Anthropologists seeking to understand human evolution often include primates such as chimps or apes in their studies. But a new review paper by Kyle Smith, a postdoctoral research scholar in NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine, argues that an equally informative animal is often right under our noses—the domestic (or family) dog.