Dogs only became a distinct species from wolves roughly 15,000 – 40,000 years ago, and the two still share close to ninety nine percent of their DNA. That last one percent, though, is enough to create some profound differences. Dogs and wolves have different bone and dental structures, and dogs are far more attuned to human social cues. Indeed, wolves often will not obey human commands, even for food, while dogs will sometimes do so just to please their owners.
Key Takeaways:
- Wolves and dogs are members of the same species and share 99 percent of their DNA.
- While dogs can be trained, wolves will not perform for humans even when offered food.
- Wolf puppies mature faster than dog puppies and can solve puzzles at a younger age.
“Hughes says experts believe that over multiple generations, these animals gradually became domesticated and developed intimate relationships with humans, reading their cues and being “groomed,” to whatever degree was possible, as guardians and companions.”