How Dogs (Eventually) Became Our Best Friends

Summary

In Siberia, the 18,000-year-old remains of a puppy named Dogor raised questions about the early stages of canine domestication. With most of its features preserved, Dogor's discovery might help pinpoint when and where wolves became dogs. The script delves into the genetic journey from ancient wolves to modern dogs, exploring theories of domestication, the role of genetics, and the deep bond humans have shared with dogs throughout history.

Takeaways

• 🐾 In 2018, a well-preserved 18,000-year-old puppy was discovered in Siberia, nicknamed 'Dogor', which may provide clues about canine domestication.
• 🔍 The puppy's species remains uncertain, and determining whether it was a dog, wolf, or something in between could help understand the timing and location of domestication.
• 🧬 Modern dogs belong to the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, which is thought to have diverged from wolves between 40,000 and 27,000 years ago.
• 🐺 The process of domestication likely involved thousands of years of interactions, with traits like hypersociability being important for early domestication.
• 🍽 The commensal pathway to domestication suggests that early 'proto-dogs' were attracted to human settlements for discarded food and other resources.
• 🦴 A 2020 study differentiated between two types of canids based on tooth wear, indicating a group that likely consumed human leftovers.
• 🛡 Once domesticated, dogs were found to be useful for various tasks such as guarding and assisting with hunting and other livestock.
• 🌾 The spread of agriculture is reflected in dogs' genetic adaptations, such as the AMY2B gene, which helps break down starch, a common component in agricultural diets.
• 🤔 There is ongoing debate about whether dogs were domesticated once or multiple times, with studies suggesting both possibilities.
• 🏺 Archaeological evidence shows a deep bond between humans and dogs, with similar burial practices indicating close companionship even in death.
• 🐕 The diversity of dog breeds is a result of cross-breeding and human needs, with many breeds originating from the Victorian era dog shows.

Q & A

What significant discovery was made in Siberia during the summer of 2018?

In the summer of 2018, a patch of permafrost near the Indigirka River in Siberia melted, revealing the body of a two-month-old puppy that was astonishingly 18,000 years old.

What is the nickname of the 18,000-year-old puppy found in Siberia, and what does it signify?

The puppy was nicknamed 'Dogor,' which is a word for 'friend' in the local language and also a play on words, questioning whether it is a dog or something else.

Why is the species of the ancient puppy, Dogor, significant to scientists?

Dogor's species is significant because it comes from a period when wolves were becoming domesticated. Determining whether it was a wolf or a dog could help scientists understand the specific time and place of domestication.

What is the modern dog's subspecies known as, and what extinct species are they related to?

Modern dogs belong to the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, and they are related to an extinct species of wolf from the Pleistocene, Canis lupus.

What is the commensal pathway to domestication, and how does it relate to the early relationship between dogs and humans?

The commensal pathway to domestication refers to an animal benefiting from a relationship with humans, with little to no initial benefit for humans. In this case, proto-dogs were attracted to discarded human food, which also attracted other animals they could prey on.

What genetic adaptation in dogs is associated with the spread of agriculture?

The spread of agriculture is associated with a genetic adaptation in dogs involving the AMY2B gene. Domestic dogs have more copies of this gene, which codes for an enzyme that breaks down starch, reflecting an increase in starch consumption with the advent of agriculture.

What debate exists regarding the number of times dogs were domesticated?

There is debate about whether dogs were domesticated once or multiple times. Some studies suggest a single domestication event, while others have indicated the possibility of separate domestication in Europe and Asia.

How do archaeologists interpret the treatment of dogs in burials as evidence of their relationship with humans?

Archaeologists interpret the treatment of dogs in burials, often similar to human burials, as evidence that dogs were seen as close companions to humans, even in death.

What role did the genetic trait of hypersociability play in the domestication of dogs?

Hypersociability, the tendency for adult animals to initiate social contact even with members of other species, is a key genetic trait shared by wolves and modern dogs. This trait, along with other behaviors like scavenging for food, could have made some wolves better candidates for domestication.

What is the significance of the discovery of Dogor's DNA results for understanding dog domestication?

The DNA results of Dogor could potentially shed light on the early days of dog domestication, providing insights into the transition from wolves to dogs and the timeline of this process.

How have new breeds of dogs developed over time?

New breeds of dogs developed to meet a variety of human needs, with coat colors and textures becoming more diverse. Many of these changes can be traced to cross-breeding and hybridization as humans moved around the planet with their canine companions.