Have you ever wondered that we love many animals – cows, cats, rabbits, horses but why is dog closest to our heart? Why is it that when a dog looks at us with its head bowed, the heart melts? Her crying hurts us and her happiness brings a smile on our faces. Is it just the magic of emotions? Or is there some scientific mystery of thousands of years hidden behind it? Let us understand the story of this unique relationship in an easy way.
This story begins from the time when humans and wolves came close to each other for the first time. The darkness of the night, the rustling of the forests, the fires burning near human settlements and the bright eyes of the wolves peeking from behind those flames. This was the moment from where the friendship between humans and dogs was born. According to an important research of 2017, all the dogs present in the world today evolved from the ancient wolves of Europe. This process started about 20 thousand to 40 thousand years ago. But the real question is how the wolves who were afraid of humans became their companions. Scientists have given two main reasons behind this, on the basis of which this unique relationship was formed and became stronger with time.
Theory 1- Humans raised wolf cubs
According to this theory, ancient humans began capturing less aggressive wolf cubs and raising them. Over time, these wolves, who have lived with humans since childhood, started considering them as part of their pack. They started helping humans in hunting, and gradually their nature changed and their wild habits also diminished. That is, the relationship between man and wolf began to be formed on the basis of nurture and cooperation and became stronger with time.
Theory 2- Wolves themselves came towards humans
This theory is even more interesting. According to scientists, some fearless wolves started coming near human settlements to eat leftover food. This started benefiting both, the wolves started getting food and humans started getting protection, because the wolves used to drive away the animals roaming around. Wolves that were less afraid of humans lived longer. This natural selection gradually started turning them into dogs and thus the first generation of dogs was born.
Why do dogs look so cute? This is the real reason
The cuteness of dogs today is no coincidence. Scientists say that dogs have developed special facial muscles, which allow them to create large innocent eyes, slightly arched eyebrows and a sad face. A 2019 research proved that this muscle above the eyes of dogs has evolved to increase ‘bonding’ like humans. That is, dogs look cute so that humans get attached to them, this is a wonderful trick of nature.
Dogs get pleasure from human scent
A study from Emory University scanned the brains of dogs in MRI. When dogs smelled their owner’s scent, the positive emotion part of their brain became most active. This means that dogs don’t just want food or protection, they recognize their loved ones, feel them and have an emotional bond with them.
