The most comprehensive survey conducted to date on canine genetics has revealed that the lineage of modern dogs originated in Central Asia.
Dogs are the most diverse animals found on Earth, and humans have been selectively breeding them for thousands of years.
Dogs are, in fact, descended from wolves, which humans gradually domesticated. This process first took place near present-day Nepal or Mongolia.
These findings are based on the analysis of the DNA of thousands of dogs and have been published in the scientific journal PNAS.
Dr. Adam Boyko of Cornell University and his colleagues examined the DNA of 4,676 purebred dogs and 549 stray dogs roaming around human settlements.
While the domestication of dogs could theoretically have occurred in different parts of the world, the DNA of modern dogs does not support this idea.
Dr. Boyko says, “We specifically examined whether there was evidence of dog domestication occurring in more than one location, but we found no such proof. It appears that dogs originated in a single place. However, even after domestication, there has been periodic interbreeding between dogs and wolves.”
Scientists studied genes in dog DNA that are located close to one another on chromosomes. By comparing the patterns of these genes, the research team concluded that the domestication of dogs first occurred in Central Asia.
Previous research had suggested that dogs may have originated in Central Asia, East Asia, or Europe.
While the latest findings do not completely end the debate, Dr. Boyko says that narrowing down the origin of dogs will help guide further research.
Most researchers believe that dogs have lived alongside humans for about 15,000 years, but their exact beginnings remain unclear.
Dr. Boyko adds, “There is no doubt that they lived around humans and gradually became part of human life. The real question is: what was the first step that made this happen?”