Part 1: The evolution of wolves
From the vast steppes of prehistoric Eurasia to the bustling cities of the modern world, dogs have been our constant companions, protectors and friends. They have guarded our homes, herded our livestock, hunted by our side and warmed our hearts. Dogs are the species most closely associated with huma…
Part 2: From enemies to companions: how wolves became dogs
It's widely accepted that domestication occurred in several places and at several times, but when it happened is unclear. Estimates range as from as recently as 8,000 years to as far back as 130,000 years, but the generally accepted time frame is between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago. This is part two…
The first deliberate change from function to appearance
Throughout history, dogs had been bred for function rather than appearance, with interbreeding common, but the Industrial Revolution and rise of the middle class in Europe and North America …
How humans steered evolution
Following the initial domestication↗ process, the diversification of dog types began to accelerate around 5,000 or 6,000 years ago. As dogs encountered different environments and became an i…
The debate over where domestication began
The story of dog domestication is one of the most intriguing chapters in the shared history of humans and animals. For decades, researchers have tried to pinpoint where the first wolves bega…