What is the History, Origin and Evolution of the Dog?

  • Dogs were domesticated approximately 15,000 years ago, beginning their history as human companions.
  • The ancestors of dogs include species such as Cynodictis and Mesocyon, evolving over time.
  • The taxonomy of the dog includes the kingdom Animalia and the family Canidae, with Canis lupus being its main species.
  • Throughout their evolution, dogs have developed exceptional social and communication skills, becoming man's best friends.

La Dog Evolution, has been touring the world for more millions of years than can be imagined, until what it is today for human beings, the best of companions. This article shows a wide content of this interesting topic. Find out!

Dog Evolution

Dog Evolution

La evolution of dogs, is classifiable as follows:

Between 500.000 and 200.000 years BC

  • The initial Canis Lupus, which are the wolves of the Canis sinensis in China, appear in Germany and also in America.
  • The Coyote, in North America.
  • Fox and Jackal in Europe.

Between 30.000 and 15.000 years BC

This is cataloged as the stage of the Great Hunt. Still no dogs, just wolves.

Between 15.000 and 10.000 years BC

  • The domestic dog arises, where bone structure of both humans and these canines in Russia can be seen at this time.
  • Species lacking ears are observed, as well as those provided with a long tail.

Between 10.000 and 6.000 years BC

The first canine appears in the East, and the rest of the races of these animals are expected to be derived. There is also the Canis Farcolaris Palustris, which is also known by the name of "dog of the peat bogs". Which is the ancestor of the known Spitz-type dog breeds:

Evolution of the Chow Chow Dog

4.000 years BC

The first dogs whose use is hunting in Egypt are started.

Between 3.000 and 2.000 years BC

The Lebrel or Lebrela appears, which was a dog used for hunting, whose body was extremely thin. Having a firm musculature, which allowed him to be inexhaustible before the races. Being its physical characteristics:

  • short fur
  • Long and thin legs.
  • Floppy ears.
  • Head and snout elongated.
  • Payas withdrawn backwards.

Between 2.000 and 1.000 years BC

Purebred dogs from Ethiopia are integrated into Egypt.

1.000 years BC

Aristotle, in Greece, quantifies 7 breeds of dogs. Among which are:

  • Molossian
  • methylene

Evolution of the Dog with respect to the Wolves

Scholars of the subject assert that dogs arise after the transformation, change or progress experienced during the passage of time in wolves. Bearing in mind that this event takes place approximately 33 thousand years ago. Where the theories or presumptions of the researchers suggest that it comes from the separation of two groups or communities of wolves.

That with the passage of time one of the two, began to be directed to be domesticated and then be the accompaniment of people in their homes. Where the assumptions point out that those who became the companion dogs of that time, became trained. During the searches for food carried out by men. It is like that, like the domestic dog, went to the field of crossing borders, to other continents and nations.

Reaching all remote places, as they are known today. In which the diversities of the races were part of the evolutionary event. In this way, it is that the specialists begin the process using the branch of biology that deals with heredity and everything that has to do with it, which is nothing else but genetics. Taking then the reference to that of dogs, to achieve, develop or perfect an aspect of behavior progressively more optimized.

History and Origin of Dogs

As is known, the dog that is domesticated today comes from 33 thousand years ago. In which it has increased, developed and dispersed both its behavior and the races throughout the globe.

Historically, traces of skeletal bones of these canines were found in the Israeli nation, along with what were also traces of human bones. Observing with this behavior, that since the ancestor, this current pet has represented a companion of representative importance. An example of this is found in the embodied works that refer to Egypt and its kings "Pharaohs".

Where the presence of this canidae family is easily appreciated. On the other hand, referring to the origin and evolution Of the dog, before domestication, there is data that they go back in time until about 50 to 70 million years ago. Where, according to records, fossil remains have initially been found, it is the Prohesperocyon. Which had its manifestation approximately 40 million years ago in time.

However, scholars say that 30 million years ago these first dogs appeared with features similar to wolves and also to the jackal. Which came from North America. Records show that they formerly had a behavior in which they were grouped in packs, having numerous companies even when they went hunting to feed.

Its dimensions were robust and its ease was in this aspect predominantly nocturnal. Interestingly, the studies carried out today affirm the stored records, because the DNA visualized in both dogs, wolves and coyotes, have a certain similarity to consider.

DNA Dog Evolution

So the Dog comes from the Evolution of the Wolf?

Regarding the answer to this question, we also have that those that predominantly link a greater affinity, resemblance or resemblance are dogs and wolves. Which at no time, for the researchers, implies that the evolution of the dog, to what it is today, comes from the wolf. But, on the other hand, they coincide with their ancestry, where later the evolutions took place.

Where, as seen, during the development of the dog story, these have coincided and got along in the environments, taking similarity in their behavior. As well as in their ease, becoming the best pets and companions in the homes, where they feel like one more member of the family, apart from providing protection.

Ancestors of the Dogs

It has as ancestors according to the evolution of the dog, the following:

  • Cynodictitis: This animal registers a distinctive morphological appearance, in which its body mass was distributed in an elongated manner. It possessed unique adaptability and agility, despite the fact that its limbs were not that elongated. These at their ends had five fingers having their nails like those of felines, that is, retractable. His attributes were considered archaic enough.
  • daphoenus: This gives its appearance, in a later period of 10 million years, in North America. Having a completely different appearance than the one described, because they showed features of both the family canidae as of the family felidae, that is to say, of the cats. Its bone structure showed extreme similarity to that of felines, but it differed in that its skull had the appearance of those registered in dogs or wolves.
  • Mesocyon: This is the one that researchers take as the ancestor of two other species of canids. With an approximate size of the coyote and according to records, the first canid to show a diet based solely on meat.
  • Cynodesmus: It was seen as what can be described as a modern coyote, with a smaller skull. Despite not showing himself to be an excellent runner, his ability lay in executing attacks in large packs.
  • Tomartus: It is the one that has as data a skull with total similarity to that of the current canines. At the time they looked like hyenas in terms of their behavior of eating fruits in their diet, apart from flattening bones.

Evolution of the Cynodictis Dog

Evolution of the Dog for 100 Years

Historically, it is appreciated that the dog evolution lies in a whole succession of experiments carried out by human beings. Who are those who have shared and lived with this animal species. Because the various breeds of dogs come from the numerous crosses executed.

Where for these recent 100 years of registration, gradually, the characteristics or qualities of the dogs have been experiencing their differences from one another. In which if the dogs of the ancestors are taken for comparison, there will obviously be amazement at the changes that have occurred after the intervention of man.

What is the Taxonomy of Dogs?

Regarding the taxonomy of dogs, it is important to clarify that this responds to the science that is entrusted with the responsibility of categorizing, ordering or distributing. Like denominate, each and every one of the living beings found on the planet. In this sense, the dogs integrate the Filo Chordata, which means that it is a member of the chordates.

This means that they are animals provided with a dorsal cord. Where it is the one that provides a settled solidity. Having the advantage that in situations it can be replaced by the spine, as is the case experienced in dogs.

Specifically, the registered taxonomy, according to the Swedish scientist, naturalist, zoologist and botanist, Carlos Linnaeus, in the year 1758, points out the following data of dogs, which are:

  • Animalia Kingdom.
  • Edge: Chordata.
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata.
  • Class: Mammalia.
  • Order: Carnivore.
  • Suborder: Caniformia.
  • Family: Canidae.
  • Gender: Canis.
  • Species: C. lupus.
  • Subspecies: II familiaris.

Relevant Characteristics of the Evolution of the Dog  

Characteristics of dogs, with the passing of time they have managed to experience diversity of qualities that have generated that it is seen and appreciated as man's best friend. Without leaving behind that he is the best companion and guardian in the home of any family, where the most relevant are the following:

  • Socialization: This ability and skill is what makes it possible to successfully execute the training or teaching mission. So they are described as animals of prominent understanding. This field also includes the fact that it is an animal that always shows pleasure to the company and likes to be taken into account, behaving as one more member of the group. Both in needs and in the ability to share.
  • Communication: With regard to communication, dog evolution has taken a big step forward. This communicates in many ways just as it makes itself felt and marks its territory before invaders. The main thing is the acute sense of smell, when it feels a different presence than usual, it growls from low intensity to the loudest and most persistent. His body can take different postures according to the situation, from submission to attack.
  • Reproduction: Regarding the readiness for mating, the female is adult and fertile for the act at nine months, however it is recommended that it be carried out after eighteen months. Having the male, it is fit to carry out mating at fifteen months of life.

Other features

Through the evolution of the dog, it can finally be seen that they show the following characteristics:

  • It has an average lifespan that ranges from 11 years to 15 years depending on the breed.
  • The teeth are considerably smaller than those of wolves, having a total of 42.
  • His diet is not exclusively based on meat.
  • It has a reduced muscle and body mass compared to that of the wolf.
  • His normal body temperature ranges between 38 and 39 degrees.
  • It has sweat glands on its paws, which is something that is not recorded in wolves.
  • Their pulse is in a range between 60 and 120 beats per minute in the case of puppies and adult dogs.
  • It requires a daily diet between 300 and 3.500 calories.
  • The character is also according to the breed of each dog.
  • Their size and appearance vary according to the breeds of dogs, ranging from very small to very large.
  • The length of their hair and the need for body care are intrinsic to the Dog breeds.
  • The fur is much thicker than that of wolves.
  • Its brain size is considerably smaller than that recorded in the wolf.


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