Dog Evolution

There have been many different ideas about dog evolution. Some far fetched and others more reasonable. The most common theory is that our pet's beginnings started about 60 million years ago.

A small animal with a long body, long tail and short legs know as Miacis appeared on the scene. It walked on the flat of its feet and had large, sharp teeth. This animal was the first ancestor of the canids.

Onward to 35 million years ago. At this time period, there are many Miacis descendants, about 35-40. These types of animals looked like cats, bears, hyenas and dogs. The dog like creatures were the only ones to survive the evolutionary process.

About 20 million years ago, the dog like animal, known as Mesocyon, arrived. These "dogs" had five toes on each foot and a long body and tail but short legs.

Then about 10 million years ago, the Tomarctus an actual canid, made its appearance. This animal had a larger brain than his forebears and a longer jaw.

5 million years ago the first true canis came to be. It walked on four toes and the feet evolved into a more compact form for chasing down game.

At last, about a million years ago, the first wolf was discovered to have inhabited Eurasia. This discovery lead scientists to the belief that this animal was the direct descendant of our modern dogs.

All of these predecessors are considered extinct dog breeds, but as evidence of our own pets, they paved the way for the modern dog.

When humans finally arrived on the scene, the dog was waiting for him. How ironic! That happens to all of us every day.