The ancestry of dogs has always been a hot topic in zoological and genetic research. It is common belief that the dog's ancestors are closely related to the modern-day jackal. This article will discuss the basis of this theory and related research.
The modern dog (canis lupus familiaris) is widely believed to have been domesticated from the ancient jackal (canis lupus). Genetic studies have shown a close genetic relationship between dogs and jackals.
Research suggests that dogs may have been one of the first animals domesticated by humans, and that the process may have begun around 150,000 years ago. Ancient humans may have gradually bred early domestic dogs by domesticating certain individuals of jackals.
During domestication, primitive jackals gradually evolved different traits from their wild ancestors, including more docile personalities, different body sizes, and physical features.
Although the ancestors of domestic dogs may have been jackals, after a long period of domestication and human selection, modern dogs have shown great diversity, including a wide variety of breeds, sizes, colors, and personalities.
While dogs and jackals are genetically closely linked, they have distinct differences in behavior, physiology, and ecological adaptation. Modern domestic dogs have fully adapted to a lifestyle of symbiosis with humans.
The relationship between the dog's ancestors and the jackal reflects a complex process of domestication and evolution. Although domestic dogs differ from their wild ancestors in many ways, the genetic link between them reveals a deep connection between pet dogs and wild jackals.