Dog 2.0! Canine Biological Evolution Accelerates and Surprises Science

Dogs are evolving! Some breeds are adapting to the modern world, marking the future of domestication with exceptional skills. ?✨...

1. Dogs: from the countryside to the city
2. From Hunting to the Couch
3. The third wave of canine domestication
4. The Future of Our Best Friends

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Dogs: from the countryside to the city

Attention, dog lovers! The relationship between humans and their furry friends has taken a 180-degree turn in recent decades. In the past, dogs were brave hunters and watchful guardians who wouldn't blink in the dark. Nowadays, they are family members who, hopefully, won’t eat your pizza when you turn your back. Scientists have discovered that these changes are not just behavioral. Our four-legged friends are in the midst of a new evolutionary phase!

According to Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, experts from Duke University, modern dogs are developing skills that make them more suited for contemporary life. These changes are as rapid as a greyhound in a race. In just one generation, dogs have adapted to a world filled with skyscrapers and home offices!

From Hunting to the Couch

Historically, dogs were the right hand of the hunter. However, nowadays, they prefer the role of napping companion. Urbanization has turned our furry friends into the kings of the sofa. Now, instead of chasing rabbits, they dedicate themselves to guarding the refrigerator door, waiting for someone to drop a piece of ham.

But what does all this mean for our furry friends? According to experts, urbanization has made dogs more social and less territorial. We no longer need dogs that bark at every moving shadow, but companions who enjoy a nice walk in the park and a quiet afternoon at home. Interesting, right?

The third wave of canine domestication

Hare and Woods suggest that we are on the cusp of a third wave of domestication. Forget about appearance: the future lies in personality! Service dogs, for example, stand out for their social interaction skills and friendly nature. These dogs are not only obedient, but they also seem to possess the social intelligence of a campaigning politician.

This phenomenon reminds us of the experiments with foxes in Russia in the 1950s, where the friendliest ones were selected. Believe it or not, service dogs are showing us how behavior selection can change a species faster than a puppy chasing its tail.

The Future of Our Best Friends

So, where does this lead us? Experts believe that breeding more dogs as service animals could be the key to the future. The demand for dogs that adapt to urban life is rising faster than the price of avocados. Could this mean that our future canine companions will be completely different? It’s likely.

In a constantly changing world, dogs continue to adapt. Evolution doesn't rest! Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods provide us with a fascinating glimpse into the future that awaits us with our loyal furry friends. Get ready for a future filled with more sociable, more adapted, and, what the heck, more adorable dogs than ever. Who wouldn't want that?

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