Double Duty: Dogs Domesticated Twice in History?

The time in history when dogs became “domesticated” refers to the period when a multi-generational relationship was formed between humans and dogs, in which humans secured a position of dominance and control over dogs, allowing humanity reap the benefits of having dogs as an ally instead of a foe. In layman’s terms, dogs were domesticated when man and wolf became mutual friends and neither wanted to kill the other.

Dogs are believed to be the first species that was domesticated by humans, followed by sheep, through a process that is commonly believed to have happened thousands of years ago an area of either Europe or Asia. The majority of scientists involved in studying domestication and similar Darwinian theories had, up until this point, thought that the domestication of the dog species happened only once in history. However, according to a recent study reported by Fox News, it seems that dogs may have actually been domesticated two separate times throughout history.

According to the study, which was performed by scientists at the University of Oxford’s School of Archaeology and first published in the journal Science, seems to indicate that evidence exists that dogs may have been domesticated in Asia and simultaneously domesticated in Europe. When people began migrating from the East to the West, the two species of domesticated dogs intermingled, creating the domesticated pedigrees we are familiar with today.

Researchers have come up with this theory by sequencing DNA from 60 dogs that lived across Europe and Asia between 3,000 and 14,000 years ago. They have discovered evidence that suggests that the domestication of dogs may not have occurred in one single moment, but in a series of moments across history – and across continents. This interesting theory could rewrite our understanding of the past of dogs, and give us more insight into how we came to have the friendly and docile breeds we call our companions today.

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