By Sandy Haffner
A genetic study using the DNA of ancient wolves shows two different wolf populations that share DNA with modern dogs. Researchers have mapped the grey wolf by analyzing genomes from Europe, North America and Siberia. They found that dogs derive ancestry from two separate wolf populations. An eastern source contributed to all dogs. A western source contributed to some dogs.
Ancient wolves in Asia are suggested to be more genetically similar to modern dogs than wolves in Europe. All dogs descend from wild, ancestral wolves. Canis Lupus, or the grey wolf, scientists found to be where the dogs evolved from around 100,000 years ago.
Humans formed a partnership with the grey wolf in ancient western and ancient Eastern Asia about 33,000 years ago. It’s believed to be started by the wolves that showed less aggression. They could come close to human camps and be fed leftovers. They became less fearful. They gained a docile disposition. Their bodies changed in size and shape. As more less aggressive wolves caught on, slowly over time their pack started joining in.
Somewhere along the bronze age, the dogs met from both sides of Asia. They mated, some were inbred, and therefore today’s western dogs trace their ancestry to the ancient eastern migrants. Less than 10% traced back to the now extinct western dogs. Evolution asserts that animals did change through gradual accumulation of mutations. Evidence shows that the transition from wolf to dog happened rapidly according to predesigned genetic potential & not mutations.
Wolves were the humans number one rivals at the top of the food chain. They can smell prey more than a mile away and crushed their prey with an extensive force. They hunt in large packs and kill large creatures. They pursue their prey to the point of exhaustion.
Wolves found themselves at a crossroad with humans being a threat to their territories. After a period of time with the wolves joining the humans, they found several uses for the docile wolves. Like helping to track and hunt prey. Wolves warn of approaching enemies.
As their social structure made it easy to integrate with the human, they learned to understand their commands. Their genetic traits were passed on by breeding tamer wolves in human areas. Eventually wolves moved into the homes, becoming the first domesticated animal.
Over the years, dog breeds became the products of artificial selection. Some are healthy, and some are predisposed to health issues. Thousands of years of co-evolution have created canines and humans who understand body language and emotions. When dogs and humans interact, a hormone called oxytocin gets released. Both have feelings of love and protection.
Every breed of domesticated dog today came from the fierce grey wolf. They now solely rely on humans to feed and care for them. As scavenging carnivores, they still have the strong instinct to hunt and eat a carnivorous diet. Looking closely at the wolves life and diet, we see them hunting their hooved prey of deer, moose, boar, as well as small animals, like rabbits, rodents, beavers, and even birds.
They have canines and triangular sharp shaped teeth for the shredding and tearing of flesh and crushing of bone. They will open the stomach first, eating the contents of plant and fruit matter plus the stomach lining. They will continue to the fat and organs as they are very nutritious and required to survive. They move on to muscle meat and bones as they contain essential vitamins and minerals.
Carnivores need a protein, meat-based diet, to supply essential amino acids they can’t synthesize. They require 22 amino acids, but we know dogs can only synthesize 12 on their own. Without the supply of enough protein, it forces their body to break down muscles to fill the gap of their needed amino acids.
Protein is made of amino acids. It supports the muscles, skin health, nails, coat, and is essential to supporting a strong immune system. Plus, it’s the main source of energy.
Wolves might have to travel up to 50 miles in a day to find their next meal. Their sense of smell is so strong they can recognize the scent of an animal over a mile away. Their hearing is relied on, and they can hear up to 10 miles away. The wolves can run up to 35 miles per hour.
Their jaw has a crushing power of 1500 pounds per square inch. For comparison a German Shepherd has crushing power of about 750 pounds per square inch & can run about 30 miles per hour.
There is clear evidence in the diets of dogs and their wolf ancestors that they are carnivores. Their teeth, gut and digestive physiology support this. They don’t have the typical molars for the grinding of plant material or a four chamber stomach for the slow digestion and fermentation of complex carbohydrates (starches from plants and grains).
Historically, cooked foods have never been a part of the canine and feline diet; rather they have survived and thrived off live animals, carcasses, and they scavenge for any scraps they could find. They have only been introduced to cooked and processed foods within the last 80 years.
There’s so much more we can learn about the wolves & their ancestors to benefit our evolved canines. But with the studies we have accessible, we can mimic the diets of the wolves for our dogs, supplying them with the nutrients needed to thrive.
We can mimic the exercise needed by walking them every day, like the wolves have to do in the wild. They appreciate the den we supply them by having them live with us in our warm homes. And when we do what nature intended for our dogs, they will live their best life!
