The Genetic Relationship Between Dogs & Wolves

More than 70 million U.S. dogs offer families their loyalty and companionship. The genetic relationship between these dogs and their wolf ancestors is closer than many owners suspect. Domesticated dogs are properly known as ̶0;canis lupus familiars̶1; and wolves as ̶0;canis lupus.̶1; Although dogs and wolves are different species, they belong to the same genus, or biological family.

  1. How European Dogs Developed from Wolves

    • The close genetic relationship of dogs to wolves comes from their shared ancestors. Dogs began interacting with humans began as long as 30,000 years ago. Prehistoric fossils found in a Belgian cave suggest Europeans were the first humans to domesticate dogs. Belgian paleontologist Mietje Germonpré suggests cubs orphaned when hunters killed the parent wolves were brought into human camps and raised as pets, as well as working animals. Duties of these dogs, which resembled large modern-day German shepherds, included helping their owners with hunting and transporting game. After 10 generations of living close to humans, these animals gradually became the ancestors of today̵7;s pet dogs.

    Middle Eastern Wolf and Dog Genetics

    • A team from the University of California searched through the DNA of dogs and wolves for similarities. Using genetic methods developed for tracking disease in human DNA, they collected, analyzed and compared wolf DNA from packs all around the world with DNA collected from the domesticated dog breeds of boxers and poodles. This team concluded dogs and wolves from the Middle East area were the most alike. Biologist Dr. Robert K. Wayne, leader of the team, suggests wolves followed the nomadic tribes living in this area and ate whatever they discarded. This mutually beneficial relationship developed as smaller and less aggressive wolves became dependent on humans and guarded those who provided their food. Wane suggests that once these nomadic people began to build permanent homes, they also selectively bred the friendliest wolves for smaller size.

    Genetic Similarities and Differences

    • ̶0;Wolves and dogs each have 78 chromosomes arranged into 39 pairs,̶1; according to USDA Veterinary Medical Officer Robert A. Willems. He adds, ̶0;Wolves are physically different from dogs because they have a number of genes located on these chromosomes, coding for wolf characteristics, that dogs do not have.̶0; It̵7;s not possible to tell exactly how much wolf DNA any one dog has, because scientists have yet to discover the location of the wolf genes on these chromosomes. In his opinion, there̵7;s a likelihood of a 99 percent similarity between the two species. As an example of how this works, Willems explains mankind and chimpanzees have a 98 percent similarity.

    Explaining the Genetic Differences

    • ̶0;The DNA makeup of wolves and dogs is almost identical,̶1; according to the National Geographic article, "Wolf to Woof; The Evolution of Dogs." Wolves are still wild carnivorous animals and domesticated dogs are valued human pets. Dr. Wayne thinks he has found the genetic answer to why these wild creatures came in from the cold, by using searching for signs of selective breeding in the collected wolf and dog DNA. He suggests the genes responsible for memory and gregariousness in dogs hold the clue, since wolves cannot read human body language and take cues from it, the way domesticated dogs can.