Two Origins for Dogs Result From Ancient DNA Analysis Suggests

by Benson Agoha | Science News

Just when did humans tame dogs to begin living with them?

Well according to an article in Science News, there seems to be enough evidence to suggest a strong Eastern Influence, because dogs, they say, may have been domesticated separately in East Asia and Europe, a new study suggests.

"Those separate dog groups got together when Eastern dogs moved west with humans and partially replaced dogs living in Europe." Science News said, adding that the events happened thousands of years before breeds, such as Chinese shar-peis (left in the above photo) and German shepherds (right), were created.

This is very interesting, especially when you think that in Asia, there is a dog-eating festival where these little carnines, even if they had good behaviours are slaughtered  for consumption.

Current study suggests that dogs were domesticated at least twice, according to Science News.

And from genetic analyses of a 4,800-year-old Irish dog and 59 other ancient dogs, current study suggest that canines and humans became pals in both Europe and East Asia long before the advent of farming, researchers report June 3 in Science.

So later, dogs from East Asia accompanied their human companions to Europe, where their genetic legacy trumped that of dogs already living there, the team also concludes.


Read the full study here [ Ancient Dog DNA Origins ].