The bond between humans and dogs stretches back over millennia. Dogs, in their myriad forms – from towering Great Danes to diminutive Chihuahuas – share a common ancestry with the grey wolf. The connection between dogs and wolves is profound, defined by shared genetics and behaviour. This relationship is so intimate that it’s hard to pinpoint where the wolf ends and the dog begins.
Let’s explore the wolf-dog connection in detail, highlighting certain breeds that bear a closer resemblance to their wolf ancestors, either in appearance, genetics, temperament, or behaviour.
A Brief History of Domestication
The domestication of dogs is thought to have occurred over 15,000 years ago, although some archaeological evidence suggests this may have happened even earlier. The general consensus among scientists is that the dog’s journey to domestication began when wolves started scavenging near human campsites.
Over the course of decades and centuries, a mutually beneficial relationship …