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