The history of Modern dog

How the dog became a companion animal

Dogs are probably the descendants of the gray wolf. The first demonstrable signs of relationships between man and wolves date back to 10.000 to 15.000 years ago. The gray wolfIt's not certain whether man approached the wolf, or vice versa. Both profited from the new situation: people used wolves during the hunt, for keeping flocks together and to warn against approaching enemies. Man in turn, made sure his wolves were fed. Wolves are very social animals. Like humans, they live in groups (called packs) with social ranks, in which some wolves claim leadership. This made this animal suitable and attractive as a companion, because wolves accepted man as their leader. Requirements with regard to behavior and appearance of wolves started to change. During the Middle Ages, people started seeing dogs as status symbols. Dogs gave people distinction. The number of dog breeds started to increase enormously. Dogs were bred for size, length, color, face, behavior and strokability, This is still happening today. Thus we arrive with modern day dogs.

This article is part of a series on pet adoption. Below the table of contents of this series. Below that even more articles about pets.

Table of contents

Introduction: keeping pets.

An example: the dog

The history of dogs.
Modern day dogs.
Consequences of irresponsible breeding for dogs.
Drawbacks for dogs.

Man

Why do people want pets?
Drawbacks for humans.
The pet-industry.

Conclusion?

Take a pet?

More articles on pets

Are pets education tools?
Bad reasons for keeping pets.
Dependency of animals.
Letting go of attachment to animals.
Children and their perception of animals.
A disposal fee for every pet animal purchased?
Abandoned pets as "free as a bird"?

Links to articles about specific animals

Suffering of reptiles.
Why the goldfishbowl is bad.
A rabbit as a pet… suitable or not?