First Dogs Resembled Siberian Huskies, But Larger

Mietje Germonpré, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, played a pivotal role in this research. “In shape, the Paleolithic dogs most resembled the Siberian husky, but they were somewhat larger, probably comparable to large shepherd dogs,” Germonpré explained to NBC News. The study involved analyzing 117 skulls of recent and fossil large members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves, and foxes.

The Bond Between Humans & Dogs

The discovery also sheds light on the ancient bond between humans and dogs. Ancient, 26,000-year-old footprints of a child and a dog found at Chauvet Cave in France suggest a long-standing companionship. Susan Crockford, a University of Victoria anthropologist and evolutionary biologist, while acknowledging the importance of this paper, offers an alternative view. She proposes that dogs may have undergone “self-domestication” from wolves more than once over history, a theory detailed in her book, “Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species.”

This research not only provides a deeper understanding of the origins of man’s best friend but also opens new avenues for studying the evolution of domesticated animals. As Germonpré looks forward to more discoveries, particularly an extensive study on their teeth and jaws, the story of the world’s first dog continues to fascinate and enlighten.