The Domestication of 'Man's Best Friend'

For the past 15,000 years, since the first wolf approached human camps, dogs have become a fundamental part of human societies. In the U.S. alone, nearly $56 billion was spent on dog care in 2013. How did dogs boldly enter human lives and find a place in our most private and friendly aspects? Although experts and scientists have yet to agree on whether humans domesticated the wolf or if it was the wolves that chose to coexist with humans, new research sheds light on this issue. This new research, based on DNA analysis and the evolution of dogs, was published on the 'PLOS' website. Both groups agree that there was something about the early psychology of these carnivores that allowed this connection – first between humans and wolves, and later between humans and dogs – to form and continue. This psychological factor is rooted in biological changes that arose from evolution. New research indicates that dogs were domesticated much faster than previously thought, suggesting that the transformation from wolf to dog may have taken about 60 generations. Such flexibility in coexistence is also due to the presence of genes in dogs that allow for dietary adaptability. According to a study conducted by the scientific journal 'Nature', this gene distinguishes dogs from other carnivores, enabling them to adapt to various foods instead of being limited to one type (meat). Wolves do not possess such a gene. It is possible that the first generation of dogs scavenged leftover food from human meals – for example, some bread – and were able to eat and digest it. Other studies on the behavioral psychology and cognitive perception of dogs show that they possess a type of adaptable spirit that allows them to thrive in the human world. These factors collectively enable dogs to recognize and understand human emotional language and be sensitive to humans. Another effective factor is that, unlike other mammals, dogs can maintain their (human-friendly) characteristics – such as soft fur, proper eyes, and round faces – from infancy to adulthood. The most important factor is that dogs can now be found in every size. Currently, there are over 150 breeds of dogs. The Great Dane can weigh around 70 kilograms, while a Chihuahua may weigh less than half that of a human infant even in adulthood. Humans have domesticated dogs and bred various types of them based on specific needs since they had particular requirements. These needs have transformed dog breeding over time. Even in the past 200 years, several dog breeds have undergone significant changes. For instance, look at the image of 'Balto'. When the first breed of Siberian Huskies was brought to Alaska in the early 20th century, they were small, weighing no more than about 18 kilograms. However, they had great strength and endurance, making them suitable for sledding on snow and ice. Gradually, the breed evolved into the Alaskan Husky, which resembles a wolf and has round blue eyes. Another example is the 'Dachshund', which was bred for hunting small animals like rabbits but is now kept as a pet or for show competitions. The 'Jack Russell' has also seen many changes in the past century. The 'Pug', which was depicted in the painting by Thomas Gainsborough in 1780, has changed significantly since then. The Pug, believed to originate from China, has been shown through genetic research to be a mix with the Jack Russell that was bred in Europe as a pet. The result has been that the Pug has many genetic problems. Due to the shortening of its nose, it has respiratory issues, and its shortened tail has caused spinal problems. This article has been translated and republished with the publisher's permission. You can view the original article here. 'Luba Ostashevsky' is the editor of 'The Disview of Life' magazine, with a background in scientific and investigative journalism.