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