Here's a relatively recent article (well over a year old) about some current thoughts on dog domestication: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/06/the-origin-of-dogs/484976/ Although it is based on the views of one researcher I think. The "x evolved from y" problem, is that no living species "evolved from" another living species. We didn't evolve from chimpanzees or bonobos, rather we share a common ancestor with them, and both humans, chimpanzees and bonobos have changed since they diverged from that common ancestor, and chimpanzees and bonobos have both changed since they separated from each other. So modern grey wolves (if they are the only living relative of dogs - I'm not sure what the general consensus is on this) and dogs share a common ancestor, but both have changed since then. Dogs probably more so due to selection by humans. But, wolves might also have changed because of human influences on them! For example, perhaps selecting for more fearful, aggressive individuals because of humans hunting/killing them. I guess the common ancestor is a wolf - but not necessarily exactly like any wolf living today. (I'm a researcher who studies evolution - but not of dogs!)
Another complication in the dogs-from-wolves conversation is that there has been continued outcrossing back to wolves throughout history. The first domesticated dogs would still have mated with wolves and this will have continued for a very long time. Some would have continued on the path to domestication and what we have today, and others would have been consumed into the wild wolf packs. So both sides would have been influenced. Indeed, this is still true today. Both accidental and intentional matings occur between domestic dogs and wolves. It's not as clear-cut as saying "On X date, the first domestic dogs appeared and that's when the divergence from wolves (or a common ancestor) occurred". It's sex. It's messy
Saw this, @alschwahn and thought of you and Aspen. http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/anima...ign-up-for-this-guard-dog-shit-20171003136843 Sorry about the swears
That would be me dialling 999 with my nose . Bailey does not bark as a rule at the door - although he rushes to the door and stands waiting (so I hold his collar while he peers round the door at "peoples"). The other week we had a small group of local lads somehow get into our back garden (we live in a town terrace and all gardens back onto each other and onto the gardens of the houses in the next street so the only access is via houses), leaping over fences and causing a bit of a commotion - my OH shouted and ran outside with Bailey on his heels barking. Afterwards the OH went next door to check on the elderly gentleman that lives there and told Bailey to "look after mummy". Bailey (my gentle cuddle bundle) sat on the settee next to me, back towards me, staring at the back door with his hackles raised until the OH came back. So while Bailey won't bark I do think he would be protective if either myself or my OH were attacked.
