Can anyone give me a brief history of the domestication of the dog?
That exact question is part of the Dog Care Merit Badge: Here is what I give my scouts: All domestic dogs are descendants of wolves. They are currently classified as the same species, but different subspecies. They are almost genetically identical. Most literature suggests that the domestication of the dog began around 14,000 years ago (from an archaeological “burial site” in Germany). Humans may have started feeding wolves (most likely orphaned pups) and training them for “services” like guard dogs, beasts of burden, companionship, and possibly as a food source. Somewhat recent DNA evidence published in 1997 suggests that the transformation of wolves to dogs may have began as early as 130,000 years ago (long before humans settled down and started practicing agriculture.) The earlier timeline may imply that humans did not domesticate the dog to serve as guards, workers, and companions. Domestication may have been started by the dogs themselves as they were attracted to bones and refuse
