Mary Allen
Introduction: The History of Canine Domestication
The domestication of dogs is one of the oldest and most significant examples of animal domestication. Dogs have been bred and trained to perform a wide range of tasks for humans, including hunting, herding, guarding, and companionship. The history of canine domestication can be traced back over 15,000 years to the Paleolithic era when humans first began to form a symbiotic relationship with wolves.
The First Domesticated Dogs: Where and When?
The exact time and place of the first domestication of dogs is still a subject of debate among researchers. The most widely accepted theory is that dogs were first domesticated in the Middle East around 15,000 years ago. This is based on archaeological evidence of dog remains found in the region and genetic analysis of modern dog populations. However, some scholars argue that dogs may have been domesticated independently in different parts of the world, such as in China or Europe. The earliest known dog breed is the Saluki, which dates back to ancient Egypt around 5,000 years ago.