The descended domesticated dog, or Canis familiaris/Canis lupus familiaris, is derived from the wolf. More than 14,000 years ago, an extinct population of Pleistocene wolves was domesticated to create the domestic dog, which is also known by that name. The first animal that mankind domesticated was the dog. Before agriculture began to take hold, experts believe that domesticating dogs occurred more than 15,000 years ago among hunter-gatherers. Owing to their extended relationship with humans, dogs have become a very common domestic animal and have developed the capacity to survive on a diet high in starch, which would be insufficient for other dogs. Read more…