Celebrating Human’s Best Friendship

Known as “man’s best friend” (really, everyone’s best friend!), the dog has been so thoroughly integrated into many facets of human life that it is difficult to picture the world without it. For International Friendship Day, let’s look at the amazing journey of how it all got started and the many roles that dogs play in human life today.

The History of Dog Domestication and Evolution

Dogs have co-evolved with humans more closely than any other species. This process began possibly as early as 20,000 and 40,000 years ago.¹ The initial steps towards domestication likely involved a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and wolves. Early humans and wolves shared the same environments and hunting grounds. Wolves, being opportunistic scavengers, began following human hunters to feed on leftover carcasses. Over time, a symbiotic relationship developed: wolves provided humans with early warnings against predators and assistance in hunting, while humans offered a consistent food source.^2,3

Natural selection played a crucial role in this domestication process. Wolves that were less fearful and more sociable towards humans had higher survival rates. Over generations, these proto-dogs evolved into the companion animals we recognize today. This process involved significant behavioral and physiological changes. Dogs developed traits such as a reduced fear response, smaller size, and a more varied diet than their wild ancestors.^2,3

Genetic studies have shown that domestication resulted in profound changes in dogs’ genomes, affecting everything from their physical appearance and physiology to their behavior.⁴ These changes facilitated the close bond between dogs and humans, allowing dogs to become adept at understanding and responding to human cues and emotions.^2–4

Unique Jobs Dogs Perform Today

Over thousands of years, selective breeding for specific behavioral and physical traits led to many dog breeds suitable for different jobs. Today, dogs serve in various roles highlighting their intelligence, physical attributes, and ability to connect with humans. Here are some of the unique jobs dogs perform in modern society:

1. Service: Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities, providing critical support for tasks such as guiding the visually impaired, alerting the hearing impaired to important sounds, and retrieving items for those with mobility issues.
2. Therapy: Therapy dogs offer emotional support in settings like hospitals, schools, and disaster areas. Their presence can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, improving the mental health of those they interact with.^5,6
3. Detection: Detection dogs are employed in law enforcement, customs, and agriculture fields. They are trained to detect specific scents, including narcotics, explosives, and even diseases like cancer. Their ability to identify these scents with high accuracy makes them indispensable in maintaining public safety and health. For instance, dogs have been trained to detect COVID-19 in individuals with remarkable precision, showcasing their potential in pandemic control.⁷
4. Herding: Herding dogs assist farmers in managing livestock. Breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are known for their intelligence and agility, essential traits for herding sheep, cattle, and other animals. These dogs help maintain order among the livestock, preventing them from straying and protecting them from predators.
5. Police and military service: In law enforcement and military contexts, dogs are trained to track and apprehend suspects and detect illegal substances. Military working dogs also serve in combat zones, detecting explosives and performing search and rescue missions. Their training enables them to operate in high-stress environments, providing crucial support to their human counterparts.

The domestication of dogs is a testament to the enduring bond between humans and animals. From their origins as wolves to their current roles as companions and workers, dogs have evolved to meet the changing needs of human society. Their unique abilities and unconditional friendship continue to make them invaluable partners in countless aspects of human lives.

References

1. Botigué, LR, Song, S, Scheu, A, et al. 2017. Ancient European dog genomes reveal continuity since the Early Neolithic. Nat Commun. 8(1):16082. doi:10.1038/ncomms16082
2. From Wolves to Pugs & Great Danes - the Evolution of Dogs | Morris Animal Foundation. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/evolution-of-dogs
3. How Dogs Have Uniquely Co-Evolved With Humans Like No Other Species | Discover Magazine. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/dogs-have-co-evolved-with-humans-like-no-other-species
4. Reiter T, Jagoda E, Capellini TD. 2016. Dietary variation and evolution of gene copy number among dog breeds. PLoS ONE. 11(2):e0148899. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148899
5. Peel N, Nguyen K, Tannous C. 2023. The impact of campus-based therapy dogs on the mood and affect of university students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 20(6):4759. doi:10.3390/ijerph20064759
6. Kaminski, M, Pellino, T, Wish, J. Play and pets: The physical and emotional impact of child-life and pet therapy on hospitalized children. Child Health Care. Published online December 1, 2002. doi:10.1207/S15326888CHC3104_5
7. Sakr, R, Ghsoub, C, Rbeiz, C, et al. COVID-19 detection by dogs: from physiology to field application—A review article. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139410

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About the Author

Dan Su, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), works at BSM Partners as Director of Nutrition Services. His areas of expertise include nutritional management of dogs and cats, and the culinary arts. As a food and animal enthusiast, Dan loves to give his pets food names. He is the proud owner of a cat named Gravy.