Canine Ethology

Question 1

Ancestral wolves began to linger around human settlements. Understand the process of self-domestication.

Answer 1

20,000 - 30,000 years ago

Question 2

First burial evidence of the domestic dog. We can say for certain that the domestic existed at this time, which means protodog and the initial tame wolves must have come earlier, hence the 20,000 - 30,000 year estimate.

Answer 2

12,000 - 14,000 years ago

Question 3

Most modern breeds began to take shape

Answer 3

300 - 500 years ago

Question 4

Self-Domestication Theory

Answer 4

A process by which less fearful members of a species capitalize on human settlements. In the case of the dog, less fearful wolves benefited from a stable food source, adjusting in size and breeding practice. Protodog evolved and was eventually selected for by man.

Question 5

Belyaev Silver Fox Program

Answer 5

Understand what this taught us. Belyaev specifically bred for tameness (showing less fear) towards humans. Results not only included generations of increased tameness but also resulted in affiliative behavior, vocalization, perpetual juvenile traits, and physical changes such as floppy ears, mottled coats, and curly tails.

Question 6

Estimated dating of first mitochondrial DNA shift towards dog. However, the date was later updated to approx.. 32,000

Answer 6

10,000 years ago