Abstract

The domestic dog, as a highly successful domestication model, is well known as a favored human companion. Exploring its domestication history should provide great insight into our understanding of the prehistoric development of human culture and productivity. Furthermore, investigation on the mechanisms underpinning the morphological and behavioral traits associated with canid domestication syndrome is of significance not only for scientific study but also for human medical research. Current development of a multidisciplinary canine genome database, which includes enormous omics data, has substantially improved our understanding of the genetic makeup of dogs. Here, we reviewed recent advances associated with the original history and genetic basis underlying environmental adaptations and phenotypic diversities in domestic dogs, which should provide perspectives on improving the communicative relationship between dogs and humans.

Highlights

  • Dogs, as the first domesticated mammal, have interacted with Science PressZoological Research 41(2): 97−104, 2020 97 dogs accelerated the breeding process, resulting in the development of nearly 400 breeds to fulfill specialized functions in human society, with clear morphological and behavioral differences, such as big or small, lean or squat, and independent or loyal (Freedman & Wayne, 2017)

  • The tremendous diversity in the morphology and behavior of present-day breeds illuminates the power and appeal of artificial selection, which has been widely used over a long period and exhibits inestimable potential

  • This long-term accompaniment has promoted a much closer relationship between humans and dogs than with any other domesticated animal, and similar genetics underlying as many as 360 diseases suffered by both, especially mental diseases (De Risio et al, 2015; Dewey et al, 2019; Ostrander et al, 2017; Shearin & Ostrander, 2010b), which may partially result from the same natural environmental pressures and similar social exposure

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Summary

Introduction

As the first domesticated mammal, have interacted with Science PressZoological Research 41(2): 97−104, 2020 97 dogs accelerated the breeding process, resulting in the development of nearly 400 breeds to fulfill specialized functions in human society, with clear morphological and behavioral differences, such as big or small, lean or squat, and independent or loyal (Freedman & Wayne, 2017). Domestic dogs have spread to every corner of the world following human migration and adapted to highly distinct environments. Both genetic and phenotypic research has clearly demonstrated that the dog originated from an extinct gray wolf population and was domesticated in the Old World (Fan et al, 2016).

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