Dogs Domesticated 18,000 years ago from now extinct wolf line.

[dave1949]

At least that is what the DNA is indicating in this study:

Dogs likely originated in Europe more than 18,000 years ago, biologists report

"We found that instead of recent wolves being closest to domestic dogs, ancient European wolves were directly related to them," said Robert Wayne, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology in UCLA's College of Letters and Science and senior author of the research. "This brings the genetic record into agreement with the archaeological record. Europe is where the oldest dogs are found."

 

[creekbend]

First of all, thanks for posting. Even though Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they return to the ways of their ancestors fairly quickly. Domesticated dogs that begin to run in packs and follow the ALPHA MALE, soon become Wild and aren't even afraid of Man. I supposed the same can be said about Humans. Even though We are somewhat Civilized, if conditions occurred that made Us resort to methods that would be neccessary for One's survival, our Civilized Human acquired traits would, most certainly, would change.
Our inside dog is great around Children and a great companion, but that same dog will change in a Heartbeat, when it kills a rabbit or squirrel in the yard.

 

[TomSeller]

.. Europe is where the oldest dogs are found."

I had two live to 18 in the US

 

[Hersheyfarm]

true. we forget and tend to look down upon lesser cultures. less fortunate we would resort to the same. its simple relativity.

 

[dave1949]

I had two live to 18 in the US

:laughing:

Actually, I expected the oldest dogs would be something like a Tibetan Mastiff. They are supposed to be the foundation for many large breed dogs.

 

[TomSeller]

:laughing:

Actually, I expected the oldest dogs would be something like a Tibetan Mastiff. They are supposed to be the foundation for many large breed dogs.

Weren't the Chihuahuas thought to be separate from the European dogs?

 

[brin]

Weren't the Chihuahuas thought to be separate from the European dogs?

I heard Chihuahuas were gay.....:confused3:

 

[dave1949]

Weren't the Chihuahuas thought to be separate from the European dogs?

I guess it's a mystery.
Chihuahua (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Whatever the origins, going back 18,000 years in the Americas would be very early times for locally domesticated animals.
Ancient migration: Coming to America : Nature News & Comment

 

[Gary Fowler]

It is easy to see the wolf heritage in my (wife's) German Shepherd not only from the way he looks but in the way he travels and carries his tail. He is just like the wolves as seen on any documentary.

 

[GolfAddict]

I was surprised to hear on some news item the other day that the German Shepherd is in "the top 5 most dangerous dogs" list. I wouldn't have guessed that.