Evolution Of Dogs

For millions of years dogs have remained a constant companion of man. Bred from the aggressive and formidable Gray Wolf tens of thousands of years ago the domestic dog now lives in many homes across the world. Where in the far distant past the domestic dog was bred as a guard animal, a beast of burden, and even a food source the dogs of today are bred for a far more endearing purpose-companionship and love. Finding a pet dog that is more of a joy than a chore is necessary when asking: How much is that puppy in the window?

While the wolves thrived off of human scraps thanks to the leftover food wolves gave birth to many pups. How the wolf became the dog all started when humans threw out leftover foods. While the humans were throwing out the leftover foods wolfs were starting to join with humans. Wolfs passing their blood lines to their pups inherited their parents bold personalities and made a habit on

An earlier study also confirmed that though quite rare, canines also suffered from neurological diseases parallel to human Alzheimer’s and provided and accurate portrayal of their human counterparts in terms of cellular degeneration and areas affected by the disease. (Barsoum, Callahan, Robinson & Chang 2000). This study also notes that the common body sizes and physiology between canines and humans is significant enough to use canines in an attempt to stand in for a human subject. They also list some of the diseases that present in Canines and mimick human forms such as Genetic Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (compared to human seizures), Hereditary Canine Spinal Muscular Atrophy (similar to Human muscle atrophy), Mucopolysaccharidosis and MPS 1 (similar to the human presentation of the same disease).

There are a lot of discussions about whether wolves and dogs belong to the same species or not. Recently dogs were reclassified from “canis familiaris” to “canis lupus familiaris” what means they are considered as a sub-species of the wolf species “canis lupus”. However, they are extremely close relatives and genetic studies prove that both share a common ancestry. We can consider a dog like tamed or domesticated form of a wolf.

A long time ago, dogs were once wolves, and they worked for humans. Over the millennia, wolves have evolved into dogs, and dogs have become friendlier. The way wolves have changed over time into dogs have been very noticeable. Although, the arctic grey wolf didn't turn into Cavalier King Yorkshire Terrier overnight. The reason the two, dogs and wolves, have changed are plentiful due to the changing relationship between humans and dogs. It cannot be denied.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[2] is a member of genus Canis (canines) that forms part of the wolf-like canids,[3] and is the most widely abundant carnivore.[4][5][6] The dog and the extant gray wolf are sister taxa,[7][8][9] with modern wolves not closely related to the wolves that were first domesticated.[8][9] The dog was the first domesticated species[9][10] and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes.[11]

The grey wolf has been transformed into what we, today, call a dog. After years of traveling with humans, the wolf began to change and became adapted and tame enough to socialize with humans. The environment it was placed into was one of the causes for change, and another was the role it played for humans.

It has been reported that dogs evolved as a separate species to wolves, much the same as coyotes and jackals are viewed as being species to the wolf. There is evidence that states our distant ancestors may have on occasion adopted wolf cubs; however, it is scientifically very unlikely

As a student and enthusiast of animal health (not to mention dog lover) I have pursued the study of dogs and their anatomy primarily as a personal toward the care and wellbeing of my two dogs.

It can be argued that along with cats, dogs were one of the first animals to become domesticated. For approximately 10,000 years humans and dogs have more than co-existed, they have developed a special bond unlike any other animal has developed with us. Today hundreds, if not thousands of breeds of dog exist. Although this fact remains true, all dogs belong to the Canis Familiaris family within the animal kingdom. Despite any tamed, domesticated, or docile tendencies, all breeds of dogs have traits that are derived from their wild ancestors and to this day many of those traits still exist and in fact, are quite important to the dog’s survival and mating techniques. Some of the more prominent survival tactics include digging, burying, being

Purebred dogs are riddled with disease and disfigurements. Bull dogs, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Basset Hounds, German Shepards’, and Bull Terriers. They are all common dogs, and every one of them has destructive afflictions (elagans 1). Starting with the Bull Terrier, this dog once looked like a normal dog. It was active and with no severe diseases. But now, its large abdomen and disfigured skull are fine examples for the inequitable life they lead (elagans 1). Another dog that crawls through the melted tar-like trench that is its own life is the Boxer. “A shorter face means a host of problems. The modern Boxer not only has a shorter face but the muzzle is slightly upturned. The boxer – like all bracecyphalic dogs – has difficulty controlling its temperature in hot weather, the inability to shed heat places limits on physical performance.” (elagans 2). Breathing issues and temperature control seems like a walk in the park for the English bulldog. Not only does the English bull dog have a load of respiratory issues, they suffer from just about every disease (elagans 2). “A 2004 survey by the Kennel Club found that they die at the median age of 6.25 years (n=180).” (elagans 2). And at the top of all this, these dogs are incapable of mating, or birthing without medical intervention (elagans 2). With all of that information taken in, it is not too

The domestic dog has to be one of the most unique animals that the human had ever bred. All dogs were formed differently and for separate reasons; whether it be for their looks or for their personal attributes, the dog has been evolved around humans and yet many breeds were created by humans themselves. I also believe that having a dog is a necessity to having a balanced life, just how Cesar Millan was quoted on the Brainy Quote web page “The dog can only become what's in your bubble. The dog is imitating the energy that is in your bubble. You are the source, the feast of energy. If you feel anxious, the dog becomes anxious with you. If you become nervous, the dog wakes up nervous with you”. Your dog runs off of your actions and emotions

In 1753, Carl Linnaeus listed among the types of quadrupeds familiar to him the Latin word for dog, canis. Among the species within this genus, Linnaeus listed the red fox (as Canis vulpes), wolves (Canis lupus), and the domestic dog (Canis canis). In later editions, Linnaeus dropped Canis canis and greatly expanded his list of the Canis genus of quadrupeds and, by 1758, included alongside the foxes, wolves, and jackals and many more terms that are now listed as synonyms for domestic dog, including aegyptius (hairless dog), aquaticus, (water dog), and mustelinus (literally "badger dog"). Among these were two that later experts have been widely used for domestic dogs as a species: Canis domesticus and, most predominantly, Canis familiaris, the "common" or "familiar" dog.[20]

The exact place or time of domestication of dogs is unclear, but somewhere along the line some of wolves were transformed into domesticated dogs. In the process of domestication, their genomes underwent some changes. These changes on genomic level are reflected in behavioral and morphological differences between wolves and dogs. For example, dogs are less aggressive and have reduced skull, teeth, and brain size than wolves. Their dietary preferences differ, as well. While wolves eat a carnivorous diet, dogs eat a starch-rich diet. One hypothesis is that this occurred

Dogs were not always how they are today. Almost 35,000 years ago, they were wolves. Humans saw most wolves as a threat. Even though they saw each other as enemies, there was a point where they helped each other. This is what helped them evolve. It all started when wolves went to human camps to devour some scraps of food. Because of this, the wolves were healthy and had many pups. The pups inherited the parents' habit of snacking on leftovers. This cycle repeated over and over. Wolves were willing to get closer to people. Humans soon realized that wolves make very good guards because they protected the humans from many dangerous animals. As a result, wolves living near the humans started to change.