https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/29/dogs-brains-shrink-5000-years-ago

[zephry@mindly.social]

Dogs’ brains began to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, study finds

Research offers insights into domestication of dogs but it remains unclear why they ended up with smaller brains than wolves

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

Dogs’ brains began to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, study finds

Experts say the results offer fresh insights into the domestication of our canine companions. However, the findings are unlikely to explain why your spaniel will only drink from a muddy puddle: the researchers say a reduction in brain size does not mean dogs are dafter than their wolf-like ancestors.

But while a reduction in brain size is typically considered a hallmark of domestication, there has long been debate over exactly when dogs ended up with smaller brains than wolves, with some experts suggesting this may have occurred early in the dog-human relationship.
However, others argue smaller brain size is not a hallmark of domestication but instead reflects the emergence of pedigree breeds in the last 200 years.

More specifically, dogs that lived in the Late Neolithic period – about 5,000 to 4,500 years ago – had brains 46% smaller in size than wolves from the same period, with brains of a similar size to those of pugs today. Further work revealed these dogs had significantly smaller brains than ancient wolves even once body size was taken into account – an important consideration given they were smaller overall..

#dogs #domestication #brains #evolution