From the top of my head, I think dogs have been domesticated for between 12 and 25 thousand years.
There is some interesting recent research on that subject, lending some support to nihil's point of view. Go back 100,000 years, you still got dogs, it seems.
Dogs and Humans Are Seen as Partners in Evolution nytimes.com
After splitting genetically from wolves about 135,000 years ago, dogs have followed humans through every step in their cultural and social development, from hunting and gathering to agricultural societies, from the farm to the city and suburb.
The dog has helped domesticate sheep and cattle, served as a guard, beast of burden, guide, and companion capable of easing the pain of loneliness.
So closely entwined are their lives that a number of evolutionary biologists argue that dogs and humans have evolved together.
Cheers, Dan. |
