Recent molecular evidence shows that dogs are descended from the gray wolf, domesticated about 130,000 years ago.

When did dogs first appear on Earth?

Now a large DNA study is lining up with the fossils, suggesting dogs originated in Europe some 19,000 to 32,000 years ago. Experts praised the new work but said it won't end the debate. Scientists generally agree that dogs emerged from wolves to become the first domesticated animal.

How did wolves evolve into dogs?

Dogs were probably domesticated by accident, when wolves began trailing ancient hunter-gatherers to snack on their garbage. Docile wolves may have been slipped extra food scraps, the theory goes, so they survived better, and passed on their genes. Eventually, these friendly wolves evolved into dogs.