Pre Contact Dogs: New Discoveries About Their Ancient Ancestors

Dogs have been a part of human history for thousands of years, but their origins are still shrouded in mystery.

Recent discoveries suggest that dogs were domesticated from gray wolves in multiple regions around the world.

The earliest archaeological evidence of dog domestication dates back to around 14,000 years ago in the Bonn-Oberkassel site in Germany.

Studies of ancient dog remains have revealed that these early dogs were relatively small, weighing around 30-40 pounds.

Their diet likely consisted of scraps from human hunting activities, which would have included small game like rabbits and hares.

A different take: Service Dog Vest for Small Dogs

Researchers analyzed 71 mitochondrial genomes and seven nuclear genomes of ancient North American and Siberian remains, including one Koster dog.

The genetics of these ancient remains were compared to over 5,000 modern dogs, revealing a distinct Siberian ancestor for all pre-European-contact dogs in the Americas.

This ancestor's genetic signature is unlike that of any other dogs worldwide, suggesting they have completely genetically vanished.

Only five modern dogs tested had any evidence of these pre-contact dogs, with one Chihuahua and a mix-breed dog having less than two percent ancient American dog DNA.

Three Carolina dogs had traces of ancient DNA, one up to 33 percent, but another had none.

For another approach, see: Dog Make Eye Contact

Ancient dogs in the Americas have a unique genetic signature that sets them apart from other dogs worldwide. This is according to a study that analyzed 71 mitochondrial genomes and seven nuclear genomes of ancient remains, including one Koster dog.

Researchers found that all ancient dogs in the Americas share a distinct Siberian ancestor, but their genetic signature is unlike that of any other dogs worldwide. This suggests that these ancient dogs have completely genetically vanished, replaced almost entirely by Eurasian canines brought by European settlers in the 1500s.

Only a few modern dogs tested had any evidence of these pre-contact dogs, with one Chihuahua and a mix-breed dog having less than two percent ancient American dog DNA. Three Carolina dogs had traces of ancient DNA, one up to 33 percent, but another they tested had none.

Modern dogs are a complex mix of different breeds and genetic markers, making it difficult to determine their ancestry. The genetic diversity of modern dogs is so great that they can be thought of as a "soupy mess."

Ancient fossils provide a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of dogs from their wolf ancestors. Everything else we tested was just across the board of Eurasian origin.

Researchers analyzed the genetics of over 70 ancient dogs that lived before European settlement of the Americas. These dogs were all Eurasian dogs, which is a startling discovery.

The original dogs that lived in the Americas are a mystery, and it's unclear what they looked like. European canines, on the other hand, may have brought over diseases to which the ancient dogs did not have immunity.

European settlers likely favored their own breeds and had strong rules about not allowing them to mate with North American dogs. These native canines were seen as "wild" and "vicious."

The replacement of native dogs with European breeds is striking, with little genetic evidence of interbreeding.

You might enjoy: Dog Breeds That Are Good with Other Dogs

As we explore the fascinating world of pre-contact dogs, let's talk about the New World Discovery. The first dogs to arrive in the Americas are believed to have come with the first human migrants from Asia around 15,000 years ago.

These early dogs were likely small and adaptable, suited to the harsh conditions of the Ice Age. They played a vital role in the lives of their human companions, helping with hunting and providing companionship.

The presence of dogs in the Americas was a game-changer for the indigenous peoples, allowing them to expand their territory and hunt larger prey.

The first dogs in America likely came here around 10,000 years ago with people from Siberia.

These early dogs almost completely disappeared following the arrival of European settlers, leaving little or no trace in more modern American dogs.

A study published in the journal Science found that populations of the so-called pre-contact dogs vanished rapidly, with the evidence suggesting that they have disappeared.

The researchers found that a cancerous condition, canine transmissible venereal tumor, is still present in dogs today and is the last remaining trace of these early dog populations.

This cancer originated thousands of years ago in one dog, probably from East Asia, and has been spread through the mating of dogs.

The team collected genetic information from 71 ancient dog remains from the Americas and found that early dogs arrived alongside people who eventually settled throughout North, Central and South America.

The study suggests that something catastrophic must have happened to wipe out the early dog population, but the evidence is not yet clear.

The closest living DNA match to the pre-contact dogs is the cancerous condition, which is still present in dogs today.

The legacy of America's first dogs is a fascinating story. A map from a recent study shows the locations of dog populations in the Americas and their degree of relatedness to a 4,000-year-old dog found in Canada.

The study found that the first dogs in the Americas were isolated for at least 9,000 years, but were eventually replaced by European dogs. This replacement was likely due to cultural preferences and the persecution of indigenous dogs.

A chihuahua and a mixed-breed dog from Nicaragua were found to carry mitochondrial haplotypes from the first American dogs, suggesting a limited degree of their ancestry in modern American dogs.

The first appearance of dogs in the North American archaeological record occurs around 6,000 years after the earliest evidence of human activity.

There have been at least three independent re-introductions of dogs to the Americas, including Arctic dogs that arrived with the Thule culture around 1,000 years ago.

The modern American dog population is largely derived from Eurasian breeds, with the closest known extant vestige of the first American dogs existing as a worldwide transmissible cancer.

The introduction of European dogs brought infectious diseases to which the first American dogs were susceptible, leading to their decline.

The Koster dogs in Illinois are a remarkable example of archaeological evidence. They were unearthed in the 1970s and initially dated back 8,500 years, but further analysis revealed they're actually around 10,000 years old.

The Koster dogs are the oldest in the Americas, and their burial marks a significant milestone in the history of human-canine relationships. They were buried separately, indicating a certain level of respect and care for the dead canines.

The presence of the Koster dogs suggests that dogs had a special place in indigenous communities from very early on in the Americas. This is further supported by the fact that dogs were the only animals being buried, and the only ones being kept as companions.

The Koster dogs' burial also shows that dogs were not just seen as a source of food, but as valued companions.