There are over 339 recognised dog breeds worldwide. It’s hard to believe that they all have one common ancestor. We have so many different breeds that look and act so differently, and then you think about how all these breeds are related to wolves. It’s INSANE 😱
Our dogs' evolution is a fascinating history that can help us understand some of our dog's behaviours. Our dogs still have instincts that have been passed down through their ancestors that influence how they act today, from training to diet. Dogs and wolves share 98.8% of their DNA, and they're genetically similar enough to produce offspring together, though the offspring will most likely be infertile. However, it demonstrates how similar they are.
The Latin names for both dogs and wolves show they are from the same canine family tree. Our dogs are called Canis Familiaris, while wolves are called Canis Lupus. The evolution of dogs is debated a lot in terms of dates, place of origin and how dogs became domesticated. What is known is that dogs were one of the first animals to become domesticated before chickens, cows and other farm animals. This is because it’s thought that dogs joined human society before people settled down into agricultural communities.
How it started:
As I previously stated, much of this information is subject to debate, so we are speaking broadly in terms of timing and dates. Dogs are thought to have joined human society between 18,000 and 32,000 years ago. It was once thought that dogs were descended from grey wolves, but it is now believed that the wolf from which dogs descended is extinct. However, grey wolves are our pup's closest living relative.
The relationship between man and dog took some time to build. Many people believed that it was humans that brought dogs into their societies as companions or guards. However, this argument seemed less likely as the dogs would have been wild and unpredictable, which would have been too much of a risk, especially with children around. What is more likely is that dogs would have started following humans for scraps of food or the possibility of shelter. It would have taken time for people to trust and lose their fear of the dogs and vice versa.
It's possible that dogs first learned to respond to "no" around this time. This is a primary distinction between wolves and dogs. Wolves will not obey human commands. One study discovered that if you left food on a table and told a dog "no," they would not eat it. A wolf, on the other hand, would ignore your commands and eat the food. This is a significant distinction between dogs and wolves; wolves retain independent thought, whereas dogs respond to commands.
This is most likely due to the domestication process, as dogs were probably hit with a stick and punished for stealing food or 'misbehaving' when they first integrated into human societies. Domestication contributed to the distinct differences between wolves and dogs that we see today. Dogs are now smaller than wolves, with shorter muzzles and smaller teeth, as well as having short and long coats that come in a variety of colours. A lot has changed in terms of appearance, but the similarities between our dogs and their wolf ancestors are still obvious.
This seems like a good time to add a side note. Our dogs are all unique and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. It is important to remember that our pooches are different, and with so many dog breeds available today, we tend to focus on the differences rather than the similarities. Regardless of breed or size, your dog shares 98.8 % of its DNA with wolves and retains the instincts that come with this DNA.
Moving on, let’s talk more about the bond between man and man’s best friend. When we look into our dog’s eyes, we release the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin helps to develop emotional bonds through the recognition of emotional intelligence and sentience. The same thing happens to us when we build bonds with other humans. So it’s no wonder we feel such a close connection to our furry friends.
Domestication aided in the evolution of dogs and their journey to becoming man's best friend, but it also resulted in a bond that has stood the test of time. This brings us to the present, and how this history has influenced our dogs' lives today.
Where we are now:
The ancestry of our pups is still relevant, and how our dogs act and think comes back to their natural instincts that were passed down from their wolf predecessors. If you've been following us on Instagram, you'll know that we've been working with a trainer and have learned a lot about these inherited instincts.
Diet
One of the first things we learnt about was raw food diets, which our trainer recommended trying. Kiki and Rikki went crazy for it, and because they were so motivated by it, they were learning faster. The whole idea behind a raw food diet is that it reconnects dogs to nature and the diets their ancestors would have eaten. It's a natural alternative to eating processed dog foods.
Our dogs' digestive systems are designed to eat raw food, just like their ancestors. Raw food contains enzymes that help with their digestion. But with cooked food, these enzymes get damaged during the cooking process. As a result, our dog's pancreas will have to work harder to compensate for the enzymes that are missing. Later on, this could result in pancreatic or digestive issues. However, cooked food can also be supplemented with synthetic digestive enzymes.
We recommend trying this diet and taking your pooch back to its roots. There are a lot of positive benefits to it, such as shinier coats, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, better breath and higher energy levels. So give it a go and let us know if your pups love it as much as Kiki and Rikki do.
Pack mentality
Wolves travel in packs, and this pack behaviour was passed down to their domesticated descendants. Initially, it was assumed that this relationship was founded on an alpha's aggression over other pack members. New research, however, suggests that the relationship is more similar to that of a parent-child relationship. The pack leader is the person who can teach, care for, and guide the other members of the pack.
Your pups will be looking for a pack leader in your home, and you will and should fill that role simply by being a loving caregiver. However, if you have more than one dog, there will be an alpha who will rule over social disagreements among the dogs. However, who this is will vary depending on the situation; no single dog is the established alpha. Dogs and wolves differ in this regard: dogs do not have a dominant alpha who rules in all situations; instead, the alpha varies depending on the social situation.
Knowing about this pack mentality is not only interesting but will also help you understand certain behaviours from your dog. For example, if your dog follows you around a lot, this is them recognising you as their primary caregiver and, to put it bluntly, a food source. They don’t want to let you get too far out of sight. However, you’re also their source of love and fun, so it's important to them that you're around.
So even though our pups have been selectively bred for years to be more social and playful and less fearful and aggressive, their wolf DNA still remains relevant, and it’s been an interesting journey. But no matter how small or big, or whether your pooch is a crossbreed or not, they still have some of the instincts from their ancestors. Our dogs are intelligent creatures who have been by our sides throughout history; it's incredible.
