The first Fido probably wagged its tail in the Middle East.
The largest-ever genetic family tree of dogs and wolves traces dogs’ domestic origin to the region, an international group of researchers reports online March 17 in Nature. The finding fits with archaeological evidence that dogs were domesticated in the Middle East or Eastern Europe and contradicts earlier genetic data suggesting that man’s best friend originated in China.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.