Have you ever wondered why you don't see Pugs or French Bulldogs roaming wild through the forest? Amazingly, all dog breeds from a 2kg Chihuahua to an 80kg Irish Wolfhound are part of the same species, Canis lupis familaris, and have wolves, jackals and foxes among their relatives. So where did our domestic dogs come from and why do they look so different?

Are Dogs Domesticated Wolves?

When Were Dogs Domesticated?

The results of two studies¹ suggests that dogs may have descended from a now extinct species of wolves who were domesticated in Europe more than 18 000 years ago. Scientists studied the mitochondrial DNA of recent wolf breeds from the Middle East, Asia and Europe, and compared it to two ancient dog breeds and the Boxer but found no distinct similarity in the DNA. They then studied 10 ancient wolf-like animals and 8 dog-like animals from Europe, and found that domestic dogs are genetically grouped with ancient wolves or dogs from Europe.

How Did Dogs Become Domesticated?

There are a number of theories as to how dogs first came to be domesticated. Some scientists have suggested that humans took in wolf cubs and tamed them, then over progressive generations of breeding the wolves became domesticated. Another popular theory uses the principle of natural selection. This means that wolves who were tamer and not afraid to feed on scraps in and around human settlements were more likely to survive and over time evolved into the domesticated dogs we know today.

Why Do Domestic Dogs Look So Different?

Once dogs became domesticated, humans began to see different traits in them that they liked. Dogs with similar preferred traits, for example larger dogs for hunting, would be chosen and bred together to try and produce puppies with those same traits. Over time different breeds emerged for different purposes. A good example of this is the Pekingese, one of the first 'lap dog' breeds initially bred in ancient China to be small enough to fit inside the sleeves of a man's robe. Over time more and more breeds emerged, with a surge in the 1800s following an increase in popularity of dog shows.

The Problem With Purebred Dogs

While choosing a purebred puppy for a pet allows you to have a good idea of what kind of size and temperament they will have as an adult, it does come with some disadvantages. Many of the unique physical traits that purebred dogs display come with health consequences. For example, brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short noses) like the Pug, English Bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel often have breathing difficulties. Although their snorting and snuffling can be cute, it can cause severe problems for their breathing and regulating body temperature.

Another potential purebred pitfall is related to genetics. In order to achieve their desired characteristics, purebred dogs are often inbred. This means that they are more likely to pass on undesirable health problems like hip dysplasia, hernias and other diseases related to genetics on to their puppies. This is one very good reason why purebred puppies should always be sourced by responsible, registered breeders. An even better option when considering adding to your fur family would be to head to your local pound or animal shelter to adopt an adult dog or puppy in need!

Further Reading

Want to learn more? Check out some of our other articles:

Best Pets for Kids

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

How to Choose a Dog Breed

What are the Best Dog Treats?

Importance of Socialisation

Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.

References

¹ Thalmann O. et al. 2013. Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Ancient Canids Suggest a European Origin of Domestic Dogs. Science, vol. 342, no. 6160, pp. 871-874; doi: 10.1126/science.1243650