Genetic history of dog domestication

Dec 8, 2025

Delve into the fascinating genetic history of dog domestication. Researchers discuss how low levels of wolf ancestry persist in many breeds. Evidence suggests two wolves on a Scandinavian island may have been human-controlled. Explore how free-ranging village dogs reveal insights into self-domestication. Genetic studies trace inbreeding in breeds like the German Shepherd. Discover connections between genetics and behavioral traits in golden retrievers, while questioning the accuracy of genetic tests on behavior.

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INSIGHT

Dogs Resist Wolf Gene Flow

Dogs resist gene flow from wolves far more than other domesticated animals like pigs.
This suggests selection favored distinct dog and wolf genomic peaks with maladaptive hybrids between them.

INSIGHT

Widespread Low-Level Wolf Ancestry

Low levels of wolf ancestry appear in about two-thirds of modern dog breeds at ~0.14% on average.
Even small amounts of wolf DNA may subtly influence size, behavior, and breed-specific traits.

ANECDOTE

Wolves Controlled On A Remote Island

Linus Girdland Flink analyzed canid remains from Stora Fervar Cave on a remote Scandinavian island.
The two specimens were 100% wolf genetically and showed reduced heterozygosity suggesting human control over them.

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Genetic history of dog domestication

Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

In this episode, researchers explore the impact of domestication on dog genetics and behavior.

In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:00] Greger Larson explains how the history of gene flow between dogs and their wild relatives differs from what we know about other domestic species. •[02:38] Audrey Lin finds that low levels of wolf ancestry are found in almost two thirds of dog breeds. •[04:18] Linus Girdland Flink documents evidence of two genetic wolves on a remote Scandinavian island that may have been under human control. •[06:13] Clément Car explores how the mating systems of free-ranging village dogs could provide insight into canine domestication •[07:43] Katia Bougiouri explains how she used a statistical method to improve ancient genomes and what her results reveal about the history of inbreeding in dogs. •[09:21] Lachie Scarsbrook explains how he used museum specimens to reconstruct the history of inbreeding in German Shepherd Dogs. •[11:10] Eleanor Raffan analyzes genetic data and owner-submitted behavioral questionaries from 1,343 golden retrievers. •[12:54] Kathryn Lord finds that genetic testing cannot accurately predict canine behaviors. •[14:25] Final thoughts and conclusion.

About Our Guest: Greger Larson Professor University of Oxford

Audrey Lin Gerstner Postdoctoral Scholar American Museum of Natural History

Linus Girdland Flink Lecturer University of Aberdeen

Clément Car Postdoctoral Researcher University of Gdańsk

Katia Bougiouri Postdoctoral Researcher University of Copenhagen

Lachie Scarsbrook Postdoctoral Researcher University of Oxford, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Eleanor Raffan University Associate Professor University of Cambridge

Kathryn Lord Postdoctoral fellow University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

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