How were dogs domesticated?

Question

Way back when dogs were wild animals, what compelled humans to domesticate them? How did the original dogs look like that branched out all the breeds of today?

Answer 1

There are many things which compelled humans to domesticate dogs and there are many things that compelled wolves(dogs) to accept domestication. The progenitors of domestic dogs looked much like many different species of wolves today, and it is becoming clear that different populations of wild canids all over the world are the forefathers of domestic dogs in those areas and that domestication of several different species of wild canids led to all the different breeds of domestic dogs today.

Excerpts from wikipedia....
Molecular systematics indicate that the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) descends from one or more populations of wild wolves (Canis lupus). As reflected in the nomenclature, dogs are descended from the wolf and are thus able to interbreed with wolves.

The relationship between human and canine has deep roots. Wolf remains have been found in association with hominid remains dating from 400,000 years ago. Converging archaeological and genetic evidence indicate a time of domestication in the late Upper Paleolithic close to the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary, between 17,000 and 14,000 years ago. Fossil bone morphologies and genetic analysis of current and ancient dog and wolf populations have not yet been able to conclusively determine whether all dogs descend from a single domestication event, or whether dogs were domesticated independently in more than one location. Domesticated dogs may have interbred with local populations of wild wolves on several occasions (so-called introgression).

The earliest dog fossils, two crania from Russia and a mandible from Germany, date from 13,000 to 17,000 years ago. Their likely ancestor is the large northern Holarctic wolf, Canis lupus lupus. Remains of smaller dogs from Mesolithic (Natufian) cave deposits in the Middle East, dated to around 12,000 years ago, have been interpreted as descendants of a lighter Southwest Asian wolf, Canis lupus arabs. Rock art and skeletal remains indicate that by 14,000 years ago, dogs were present from North Africa across Eurasia to North America. Dog burials at the Mesolithic cemetery of Svaerdborg in Denmark suggest that in ancient Europe dogs were valued companions.

Genetic analyses have so far yielded divergent results. Vilà, Savolainen, and colleagues (1997) concluded that dogs split off from wolves between 75,000 and 135,000 years ago, while a subsequent analysis by Savolainen et al. (2002) indicated a "common origin from a single gene pool for all dog populations" between 40,000 and 15,000 years ago in East Asia. Verginelli et al. (2005), however, suggest both sets of dates must be reevaluated in light of recent findings showing that poorly calibrated molecular clocks have systematically overestimated the age of geologically recent events. On balance, and in agreement with the archaeological evidence, 15,000 years ago is the most likely time for the wolf-dog divergence.

Verginelli examined ancient DNA evidence from five prehistoric Italian canids carbon-dated to between 15,000 and 3,000 years old, 341 wolves from several populations worldwide, and 547 purebred dogs. Their results indicate multiple independent origins of dogs and/or of frequent interbreeding between early proto-dogs and wolves throughout a vast geographic range. The detailed history remains unexplored and until further evidence is available, the following section on wolf ancestors must be considered purely speculative.


Wolf ancestors
Although all wolves belong to the species Canis lupus, there are (or were) many subspecies that had developed a distinctive appearance, social structure, and other traits. For example, the Japanese Wolf and the Eastern Timber Wolf possess different distinctive coloration, hunting and social structures. The Indian Wolf is thought to have contributed to the development of more breeds of dogs than other subspecies. Many of today's wild dogs, such as the dingo and the pariah dogs, are descended from this wolf.

The Indian Wolf is also thought to have bred with descendants of the European wolf to create the Mastiffs and eventually leading to the development of such diverse breeds as the Pug, the Saint Bernard, and the Bloodhound. The Tibetan Mastiff is an example of an ancient breed.

The European wolf, in turn, may have contributed many of its attributes to the Spitz dog types, most terriers, and many of today's sheepdogs. The Chinese wolf is probably ancestor to the Pekingese and toy spaniels, although it is also probable that descendants of the Chinese and European wolves encountered each other over the millennia, contributing to many of the oriental toy breeds.

The Eastern Timber Wolf is a direct ancestor to most, if not all, of the North American northern sled dog types. This interbreeding still occurs with dogs living in the Arctic region, where the attributes of the wolf that enable survival in a hostile environment are valued by humans. Additionally, unintentional crossbreeding occurs simply because dogs and wolves live in the same environment. The general reproductive isolation which is required to define dogs and wolves as separate species is purely a result of lack of opportunity, stemming from a general mutual unfamiliarity, suspicion, mistrust, and fear.

The phenotypic characteristics that distinguish a wolf from a dog are tenuous. Wolves typically have a "brush tail" and erect ears. While some dog breeds possess one of these characteristics, they rarely possess both.


Speed of domestication
Current research indicates that domestication, or the attributes of a domesticated animal, can occur much more quickly[13] than previously believed. Domestication of a wild dog may occur within one or two human generations with deliberate selective breeding. It is also now generally believed that initial domestication was through mutual desire. Wild canines who scavenged around human habitations received more food than their more skittish or fearful counterparts. Canines who attacked people or their children were likely killed or driven away, while those more friendly animals survived. Canines would have been beneficial by chasing away other vermin or scavengers. With their sharp senses, they would also be valuable as an alarm against marauding predators. The relationship is theorized to have developed in this way.


At the molecular level, dogs are wolves (Canis lupus) and the wide variation in their adult morphology probably results from simple changes in developmental rates and timing [2].

The assessment that the wolf is the progenitor of the dog is a working hypothesis that currently is supported by several lines of independent evidence behaviour, morphology and genetics. The parallel conclusions of these investigations strongly suggest, given current knowledge and understanding of evolutionary process, that the wolf is the domestic dog's most recent ancestor [3]. The earliest proven association between the two species is from the Natufian burial at Ein Mallaha in Israel. At Ein Mallaha, a 12,000 year old site, a burial of an old woman with a puppy contained in her left hand, was found. The next appearance of the domestication of the dog is from 8.5-9,000 years ago with the Zarzian culture of the Zagros Mountains, in Iraq. The Mesolithic Star Carr settlement in Yorkshire shows dogs were widely present part of their culture.

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Domestication
Human hunter-gatherers and wolves experienced several overlaps as both are social species, they shared habitat and hunted the same prey. There are four theories to explain possible routes for domesticaion of the dog:

Orphaned wolf-cubs: Studies have shown that wolf pups taken at an early age and reared by humans are easily tamed and socialized [4]. Once these early adoptees started breeding amongst themselves, a new generation of tame "wolf-like" domestic animals would result which would over generations of time, become more dog-like.
The Promise of Food: Early wolves would be attracted to the bones and refuse dumps of human camping sites as scavengers. Once there, they would recognise specific humans as "ours" and in protecting their range from strangers, would be useful to prevent surprise attack. These early adoptee became tame wolves dependent on humans for their source of food. The Papua New Guinean "singing dogs" have such a function today, as do the pariah dogs of India. Dr. Raymond Coppinger of Hampshire College, Massachusetts, argues that such wolves over time would become less fearful of humans than most wild wolves, and this trait may have been inheritable, making these wolves more likely to be domesticated. The wolves hypothetically separated into two populations, the village-oriented scavengers and the packs of hunters. The next steps have not been defined, but selective pressure must have been present to sustain the divergence of these populations.
As a beast of burden: North American Indians used dog sized travois, before adapting the horse for this purpose, and huskies are famous for their pulling of sleds for Inuit communities. It is very probable that the dog was the original beast of burden before the domestication of the horse or ox, and their uses as beasts of burden.
Dogs as a source of food and fur: Whilst westerners have difficulty thinking of dogs (or wolves) as a source of meat, wolf fur is a highly prized commodity. [5]
The adaptation to living with humans changed these once wild animals. At the genetic point, which tame wolves could no longer compete successfully in the wild, a subspecies of the wolves (Canis lupus) was created called the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Archaeology has placed the earliest known domestication at potentially 10,000 BCE-12,000 BCE and with certainty at 7,000 BCE [6]. Domestication of the wolf over time has produced a number of physical changes typical of all domesticated mammals. These include: a reduction in overall size (may be related to dietary restrictions due to captivity); changes in coat colouration and markings; a shorter jaw initially with crowding of the teeth and, later, with the shrinking in size of the teeth; a reduction in brain size and intelligence and thus in cranial capacity (particularly those areas relating to alertness and sensory processing, necessary in the wild); and the development of a pronounced “stop”, or vertical drop in front of the forehead. Behaviourally, the wagging of tails and barking are behaiours only found in wolf puppies, that have been retained through neotony, throughout the dog's life. Certain wolf-like behaviours, such as the regurgitation of half digested food for the young, have also disappeared.

Answer 2

***other than wikipedia being a joke and a completely unreliable source you better give the 10 points to the guy who cut and pasted ;-) *** the last sentence there is BS, IG's still do that sort of thing based on my own experience... my dam threw up almost every day for her pups once they were about 5-6 weeks old.

Er... wow you don't pose an easy or short answer... I'm not 100% on the methods of domestication... It's not as simple as all domesticated dogs descended from one... there were a variety of wild dogs throughout the globe before mankind intervened. Selective breeding brought the major breeds of today, but if you were looking for a common ancestor you would have to look far, far beyond domestication...

I can tell you for certain that the Italian Greyhound (miniature greyhound) was the fist breed on the planet to be used only as a pet and not for working/hunting purposes... don't let the name fool you, they were first seen in the area around Turkey ranging down to Egypt. Bones of similar structured dogs have been found buried with some of the great Pharaohs of Egypt.

I just researched 4 sites... there were 3 different variations ;-) But the one thing that I did come up with was this... according to an intensive study of the canine genome, the domestication of the dog ocurred in about 10 different populations worldwide, all around 15,000 years ago... is essence, nobody is 100% certain about the origial domestication of the dog... two suggest the grey wolves of asia... the other two claim that isn't possible because there was a 14,000 year old fossil found in which a woman is believed to be holding a puppy... Isreal also claims original domestication ocurred there 12,000 years ago... They only thing that they all agreed on is that is was a mutually beneficial relationship which allowed dogs to become domesticated.

Answer 3

All domesticated dogs descended from wolves. It is believed that wolves began hanging around early humans looking for scraps, and ended up becoming companion animals. Years and years of breeding for specific traits has resulted in the variety of breeds out there now, new breeds of dogs are being recognized by the American Kennel Club all the time.

Answer 4

All canine are domesticated canine fool. There aren't any wild canine.There are canine(relatives) and wolves(wild ancestor). the in uncomplicated words 'wild' canine are feral canine which decision from strays in each city who've undesirable vendors and frequently do not stay lengthy to dingo's that were in part domesticated and nevertheless stay and act more effective like wolves for this reason they don't look to be canine. maximum canine doesn't very last lengthy as a wild predator-how might want to something as large and sluggish as a St Bernard or as tiny as a pug take care of attempting to discover food in the woods?

Answer 5

Well in this country...It was when Native Americans Used wolfs for hunting and protection. But it also dates back to cavemen. Soon after that they were hybrid with wild dogs. And then England & France had to put their grubby paws into the BIG mix and try to make the perfect hunting dog. And now we have 9999999999 different breeds.

But as myself being half Native American....Let it be known....Dog found man first....Not the other way around. They respected use as the superior being....this knowledge has been pasted down in my family for generations....I kid you NOT.

Answer 6

I was watching Discovery Channel and the show I was watching says early people used to hunt wolves for food. They would find the dens where mama wolves had puppies and take them. They would wait until the pups grew up (for more meat) before slaughter, meanwhile, the puppies were endearing themselves to everyone.
They also made such good hunters the tribes put them to work. Thus the beginning of domestication. At least, accordng to Discovery Channel.

Answer 7

Humans provide easy food for dogs, dogs can live off of human poop. Dogs were probably hanging around, anyone who hangs out too long, is bound to be put to work. The original dogs most likely looked like wolves or German Sheppards.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

just a guess, i wasnt there. but i would imagine wild dogs and humans scavaging each others kills... living near each other. maybe one human, one wild dog, helping each other to stay alive.... or... dogs are super intelligent aliens that think its funny to watch us pick up their poop....