How did dogs become man’s best friend? Perhaps more intriguing than exactly when or where dogs became domesticated is the question of how. Was it really the result of a solitary hunter befriending an injured wolf? One similar theory argues that early humans somehow captured wolf pups, kept them as pets, and gradually domesticated them. This could have happened around the same time as the rise of agriculture, about 10,000 years ago. The oldest fossils generally agreed to be domestic dogs date to about 14,000 years, but several disputed fossils more than twice that age may also be dogs or at least their no longer entirely wolf ancestors.
Dogs became man’s best friend through a process of domestication that likely began with early humans forming a mutually beneficial relationship with wolves. This could have involved early humans feeding wolves scraps of food, leading to a natural selection of the tamest wolves that were less fearful of humans. Over time, these wolves may have evolved into what we now recognize as dogs, with traits that made them better companions and helpers.
The domestication process may have started around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the rise of agriculture, as humans settled in one place and required protection and assistance in hunting and herding. Fossil evidence suggests that domesticated dogs have been with humans for at least 14,000 years, with some evidence hinting at an even earlier relationship.
This bond has continued to evolve, with dogs becoming not only working companions but also beloved pets, fulfilling various roles in human society due to their adaptability, loyalty, and ability to understand human emotions.