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60,000 BCE
First Canine Evolution -- 60 million years ago
The evolutionary timeline of the dog dates back 60 million years. The Miacis existed in the Palaeocene epoch era. It was an animal that lived in North America. It looked like a weasel and had much shorter legs and a smaller brain than modern day dogs. It also had the typical distinctive carnivore teeth but walked on the soles of its feet. This was the First example of a canine-like species. -
35,000 BCE
Second Evolution -- The Leptocyn -- 35 million years ago
The next stage of canine evolution was understood to have taken place 35 million years ago. The Leptocyon was around during the Oligocene epoch era and was more fox-like and walked on its toes, which allowed it to sprint more easily. This was the second evolutionary change that we discovered, and is slowly closer to resembling a canine. -
20,000 BCE
The Mescyon and Miocene -- 20 million years ago
Then came the Mesocyon around 20 million years ago, and towards the end of this period came the Miocene. This animal looked like a very basic dog and had a bigger brain, making it more intelligent. It also had a better memory making it more likely to remember family members and therefore it developed a pack mentality. This was a big leap for the evolution of dogs because it gave them the ability to collaborate. They also resemble the appearance of a dog with similar bone structure. -
19,000 BCE
Wolves -- 5-7 million years ago
This was then followed by the wolves around 5-7 million years ago. They developed the advantage of walking on four hind toes allowing them to chase prey more effectively. They gained the ability to out last their prey and slowly wear them down from exhaustion. Finally came wolves and jackals, these were the beginnings of the early would and cold be found in Eurasia. These were the first animals that humans tried to domesticate with varying degrees of success. -
12,220 BCE
First Dog found
First mistakenly classified as a wolf, the Bonn-Oberkassel dog was buried with two humans around 14,220 years ago. This dog was found buried with its owners, a sign of respect to it as if it was too a family member. It was also the first official dog that we have found and was not a wolf. -
12,000 BCE
Chinese and The Blood of a Dog
Dogs were sacred to the Chinese for a slew of reasons. The blood of a dog was an important component in sealing oaths and swearing allegiances. They thought this because dogs were believed to have been given to humans as a gift from heaven and so their blood must be sacred. As a gift from the divine, they were honored but it was understood that they had been provided for a purpose. In order to help human beings survive by providing them with food and with blood for sacrifice. -
Period: 12,000 BCE to 4400 BCE
When did dogs first become pets?
Recent studies suggest humans may have first domesticated dogs some 6,400-14,000 years ago. They believe this because when an initial wolf population split into East and West Eurasian wolves, which were domesticated independently of each other. This gave way to 2 distinct dog populations before going extinct. -
Period: 9000 BCE to 7000 BCE
7,000 Years of the Dog: A History of China’s Canine Companions
The Chinese have always placed great importance on dogs, the first animals they domesticated. As gifts from heaven, dogs were thought to have sacred blood, so canine blood was essential in oaths and allegiances. Dogs were also sacrificed to prevent bad luck and keep disease at bay. Furthermore, dog amulets were carved from jade and worn for personal protection. -
8000 BCE
Taming a Wolf
Paleolithic dogs first began to appear at the same time, developing shorter skulls and wider braincases and snouts compared to their wolf ancestors. It has been hypothesized that humans in the early Holocene era, around 10,000 years ago, would have chosen wolf puppies for behaviors like tameness and friendliness towards people. They then used these wolves as hunting companions as well as for heat and protection. This was a fundamental part in the transition between wolf to dog. -
7000 BCE
Sled dogs
Wolves could have also been chosen to be work dogs. Some studies suggest that domesticated dogs in what is now Siberia were selectively bred as sled dogs as early as 9,000 years ago, helping humans migrate to North America. They tamed wolves and over long enough periods of time they slowly transition into what we now know as the husky. -
800 BCE
The Greek
In Ancient Greece, dogs were highly regarded as protectors and hunters as well. The Greeks invented the spiked collar to protect their dogs’ necks from predators. Four types of dog can be distinguished from Greek writings and art: the Laconian (a hound used for hunting deer and hares), Molossian, the Cretan (most likely a cross between the Laconian and Molossian), and the Melitan, a small, long-haired lap dog. Dogs were also thought to provide protection against supernatural threats. -
Period: to
Service Dogs Today For The Visually Impaired
Assistance dogs have proved for centuries that dogs are good for more than hunting and protecting property. In the 1750s, dogs started to undergo instruction as guides for the visually impaired in a Paris hospital for the blind. Now we see service dogs for people in need of them everywhere, and the dogs come in all shapes and sizes. -
German Shepherds in WW1
German Shepherds were also used during World War I as ambulance and messenger dogs. When thousands of soldiers came home blinded from mustard gas, dogs were trained en masse to serve as guides for the veterans. The use of guide dogs for veterans soon spread to the United States. -
Designer Dogs
Designer dogs became popular in the late 20th century when the Poodle was crossed with other purebred dogs. This introduced the poodle’s non-shedding coat and intelligence to the resulting crossbreed. One of the best-known results of these interbreeding efforts is the Labradoodle, which originated in Australia in the 1970s. Bred from a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, this designer dog was developed to assist disabled people who were also allergic to dander. -
Assistance, guide, and emotional support dogs
Today, guide dogs are just one type of assistance dogs used all over the world. Many of these canines help the deaf and hard of hearing, while others are seizure response dogs that will get help if their owners experience an epileptic seizure.Psychiatric dogs can also be trained to provide emotional comfort for people with mental disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.