What animal did the dog descend from? - briefly
The modern dog descends from the gray wolf (Canis lupus). This relationship is supported by both genetic and morphological evidence.
What animal did the dog descend from? - in detail
The ancestor of the modern dog is believed to be the gray wolf (Canis lupus), with some genetic evidence suggesting that dogs were first domesticated from wolves in Eurasia around 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. This process of domestication likely began when early humans started selectively breeding wolves for desirable traits such as tameness and usefulness in tasks like hunting and guarding. Over time, these selective pressures led to the development of distinct dog breeds with varying sizes, shapes, and behaviors. Genetic studies have shown that dogs share a significant amount of DNA with gray wolves, further supporting the theory that dogs evolved from this species. Additionally, the behavioral similarities between dogs and wolves, such as their social structure and communication methods, provide additional evidence for this ancestral relationship.