Here's a simplified breakdown:
* Ancestral species: Gray wolf (*Canis lupus*)
* Domestication: Through a process of selective breeding over thousands of years, humans gradually domesticated wolves, leading to the development of diverse dog breeds.
While the gray wolf is the direct ancestor of dogs, there are other closely related species that contribute to the dog's genetic makeup. These include:
* Coyotes: Some dog breeds, particularly those with a history of interbreeding with wild populations, have traces of coyote DNA.
* Jackals: Similarly, certain dog breeds, like the Basenji, show evidence of genetic mixing with jackals.
Therefore, while the gray wolf is the primary ancestral species, the genetic history of dogs is a bit more complex, involving contributions from other wild canids.