Dogs are, perhaps, the most mysterious from the scientific point of view of animals. The fact is that for several centuries their origin is a topic for scientific disputes. Do not question that the dog is a mammal vertebral chordate of the placental subclass. It belongs to the order of predatory, the family of dogs, the family of dogs and the sight of domestic dogs.
What are the theories of the origin of dogs?
To date, the history of the origin of dogs is closely related to wolves, jackals, Australian dingo dogs and coyotes. So, scientists explain the origin of the home dog by two theories. According to the first, they are the descendants of the wolf (this was also the opinion of Charles Darwin), and the adherents of the second theory see dogs as the result of crossing jackals, wolves and foxes. Recently, the third theory, which Karl Linnaeus put forward, also acquired the right to life. The latest genetic studies indirectly confirm that the jackals and wolves in antiquity had a common ancestor, which disappeared.
It is for certain known that in the Bronze Age the classification of domestic dogs included five types:
- Mastiffs;
- greyhounds (greyhounds);
- wolf-like dogs;
- shepherd dogs;
- pointer-like dogs.
Considering the origin of the breeds of dogs, the researchers came to the conclusion that they appeared as a result of domestication and subsequent breeding of these animals. Today, existing breeds of dogs are divided into three large groups: hunting, service, indoor and decorative. Variety is evidence of targeted and rigid selection, which is in perfect agreement with the way in which our ancient ancestors fought for the possibility of existence.
Whatever it was, the dog, the proof of existence of which is dated 25-30 million years, has been and remains a reliable friend and assistant of people.