Prehistoric Pups: Ancient Dogs Were Already Wildly Diverse

New research reveals that the incredible diversity seen in modern dog breeds actually dates back thousands of years, long before the Victorian era.

Studies of ancient dog remains show that by 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, dogs already came in a wide range of shapes and sizes. This challenges the common belief that most canine variation is a recent phenomenon created by selective breeding. The findings suggest that early humans and their canine companions shared a much more complex and varied relationship than previously thought.

The roots of our modern pets' diversity stretch deep into prehistory.