| It's widely believed that dogs | | | | greater speed than was previously |
| originated over 17,000 years ago; recent | | | | thought. It seems dogs are now born with |
| DNA testing and closer fossil | | | | highly prized traits. |
| examination is suggesting that dogs | | | | Not only their temperaments but also the |
| originated as far as 150,000 years ago. | | | | way they look is greatly changing. |
| However the dating in relation to the | | | | Scientists have had a tough time telling |
| Bible seems a little far fetched. We | | | | some skull and bone fragments apart. |
| know they were around in Bible days | | | | It's mainly differences in the skull and |
| because it is mention in several | | | | teeth that scientists can sue to |
| passages. | | | | determine if the specimens are wolf or |
| Scientists and researchers have come up | | | | dog remains. |
| with several possible paths that the | | | | At a farm in Siberia researchers have |
| development of modern dogs has followed. | | | | been experimenting with foxes and how |
| Dogs have lived and worked with humans | | | | quickly they can be tamed. They believe |
| in many different roles throughout the | | | | that this might lead to an understanding |
| ages. Even today people are continually | | | | of how our own dogs have evolved. |
| finding new ways in which dogs can | | | | Researchers around the world are also |
| enhance their lives, or perform useful | | | | becoming interested in the cognitions of |
| services to people. | | | | our dogs and how our dogs have become |
| In order to understand dogs and their | | | | accepted into our human social |
| complex relationship to humans we need | | | | structures. History cannot trace the |
| to look back to the origins of the | | | | exact routes of wolf to dog. |
| species; and take a closer look at the | | | | Wolves are now on endangered lists |
| habits of wolves. | | | | around the world. Many valiant efforts |
| Wolves are very social animals; they | | | | are being made to curb the steady |
| live in packs and derive not only | | | | decline in wolf numbers. |
| assured survival but also enjoy | | | | Is it all part of evolution? |
| relationships within the pack. We can | | | | Dogs have evolved slowly from wolves and |
| clearly see evidence of wolves' social | | | | found a home with humans. They've become |
| structure systems if we look at our own | | | | an essential part of human life. If all |
| dogs today. In a healthy relationship | | | | wolves had formed such relationships |
| the human is the alpha member of the | | | | with humans they too might be assured of |
| pack. A less socialized dog is widely | | | | life without extinction. |
| believed to think that he is the leader | | | | It is far easier to envision a world |
| of your pack, instead of you - the | | | | without wolves than it is to imagine a |
| owner. | | | | world without Boston Terriers, Maltese, |
| Today it is widely believed that | | | | Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Shih |
| domestication is occurring at a much | | | | Tzu's or Pugs. |