A new study published in the journal Science reveals that the diversity seen in modern dog breeds can be traced back over 10,000 years, contrary to previous assumptions that most distinct breeds emerged within the last few centuries. Researchers reviewed skulls of dogs and wolves from the past 50,000 years and found that approximately half of the current diversity in dogs was already present more than a decade ago.
Read More
Today, the American Kennel Club recognizes over 200 dog breeds, while more than 340 breeds are known globally. Allowen Evin, a bioarchaeologist at the University of Montpellier and the lead author of the study, noted that early dog diversity was greater than previously expected.
The study, which analyzed scans of 643 canid skulls, identified that a distinctive dog morphology—characterized by shorter snouts and wider faces—emerged around 11,000 years ago. Scientists are still exploring the reasons behind this distinct appearance, with co-author Carly Ameen suggesting it could be due to various factors, including human interaction and adaptation to different environments and diets.
Notably, Ameen observed that certain dog breeds, particularly flat-faced varieties like pugs and bulldogs, do not appear in the archaeological record of early skulls, indicating they likely developed later.
In a related paper also in Science, researchers examined the DNA of 17 Late Pleistocene skulls from East Asia and Central Eurasia. These skulls possessed wolf-like features, suggesting that significant morphological changes in dogs occurred afterward. Furthermore, comparisons of the dogs' genomes with contemporary human genome data indicated that dogs likely migrated alongside humans, reaffirming their role in human societies as essential companions.
The exact timeline and location of dog domestication remain unclear, as the distinction between early dog and wolf fossils poses challenges. Ameen emphasized that researching the domestication of dogs not only sheds light on canine evolution but also reflects critical aspects of human history, stating that the domestication of animals and plants has been a pivotal development for humanity.