History of Dog & Cat: A Complete Guide
Dogs and cats first became domesticated in the Near East about 10,000 years ago. Their blood and toil have helped humans discover new lands and build civilizations. Their use in war has also helped topple civilizations. Dogs have hunted alongside humans for centuries. Humans have also hunted dogs for food.
As eyes for the blind and ears for the deaf, dogs have become indispensable members of our modern society. But what really sets dogs apart from all other animals? Millions of dog lovers will agree that it is their special loyalty and devotion. Dogs exhibit this loyalty toward our own species. This characteristic has justly earned them the title of “[hu]man’s best friend.”
Origin and Evolution of Dogs
The modern-day dog (Canis familiaris) descended from the wolf. Researchers recognize four distinct groups.
The Dingo Group
The dingo group descended from the wolves of Asia. Its members spread throughout Asia, Africa, and Australia. Modern descendants include Rhodesian ridgebacks, basenjis, and Australian dingoes. One distinguishing characteristic: these dogs do not like to bark too much.
The Greyhound Group
This group evolved from wolves that inhabited the open plains of central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The oldest member, the saluki, likely originated before 1400 B.C. Distinguishing features include keen eyesight and incredible speed. The Egyptians found these characteristics especially useful for hunting.
Besides the saluki, other modern representatives include the Afghan hound, the borzoi, and of course, the greyhound.
The Northern Dog Group
This group evolved from the large gray wolf of northern Europe. People generally regard them as one-master dogs. Descendants have served various functions. These include pulling sleds (Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies), hunting game (Norwegian elk hound), and guarding flocks (collies).
The Mastiff Group
This group arose from wolves occupying the mountainous regions of Eurasia. They have a keen sense of smell. People commonly used them as war dogs and hunting dogs. We still utilize the hunting skills of retrievers, setters, and pointers today. The mastiff, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees are sizable members of this group.
Did You Know? Dogs are the first animals that humans ever domesticated.
Origin and Evolution of Cats
Like the dog, the cat also has wolf-like ancestors. The modern cat, Felis catus, is a direct descendant of two wildcats. These are Felis libyca (the African wildcat) and Felis sylvestris (a European wildcat with a tabby-like appearance).
Interestingly, the domestic cat has undergone only limited selective breeding over the years. As a result, it has the closest ties to its “wild” ancestors compared to other domesticated animals. You can see evidence of this in the similar size and anatomic features of all cats.
Except for variations in muzzle length, coat length, and color, different cat breeds generally look alike. Compare this to the dog. Dogs come in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and varieties. Selective breeding brought on all this variety in dogs.
Cats in Ancient History
Cats first associated with humans back in the Stone Age. They probably hung around camps for food scraps and leftovers. However, true companionship between humans and felines did not occur until ancient Egyptian times.
Egyptians used cats to hunt birds and catch fish. Cats also rid their granaries of rats and mice. The cat became so revered in early Egyptian society that goddesses took its image. People set aside separate burial grounds for mummified cat remains.
Cats in European History
As world trade routes opened up, the cat spread throughout the developed world. Longhaired varieties soon appeared. They became highly favored in European communities until the Dark Ages. During this time, superstition ran rampant. Cats became symbols of evil and witchcraft.
Cats quickly lost their favored status. The European cat population fell into decline. Unfortunately, when Crusaders returned from the Holy Land, they carried plague-laden brown rats on their ships. Few cats remained to meet this threat. As the bubonic plague devastated Europe, people recognized the cat’s importance once again. Their predatory nature helped control the rat population. Soon, cat numbers rose again.
As cats regained their status, they found their way back into farmers’ granaries and royal courts. To this day, in the eyes of millions of cat fanciers, they still command a royal status in our society.
Did You Know? The first evidence of feline domestication dates back over 9,000 years.
A Brief Chronological History of Dogs and Cats
30,000 BC
The earliest potential evidence for dog domestication appears in archaeological finds. Other evidence suggests dogs may have become domesticated thousands of years later.
10,000 BC
An older person in Ain Mallaha, northern Israel, received burial while cradling a four-month-old puppy. This find provides the first evidence of a close relationship between humans and dogs.
7500 BC
A cat received burial with a human in a Neolithic village called Shillourokambos. This village sits on the southern coast of Cyprus. The find represents the earliest evidence for cat domestication.
1950 BC
Cats begin to appear in ancient Egyptian art. Their skill at killing rodents and protecting Egyptian homes from death and disease soon led people to revere them as gods.
AD 200
People buried dogs in Roman cemeteries with sentimental gravestones. One reads: “To Helena, foster child, soul without comparison, and deserving of praise.”
1233
Pope Gregory IX issues his Vox in Rama. This document links felines to Satan. It leads to the massacre of tens of millions of cats throughout Europe. Some scholars say the absence of cats led to an explosion of black rats. This brought the Black Death.
1500
Dogs begin to feature in scenes of domestic life in Renaissance art. In paintings from this time, canines take on human characteristics like love and sorrow. They appear as friends and companions.
1637
French philosopher René Descartes declares that animals are soulless machines. This doctrine helps justify centuries of canine vivisection.
1822
The United Kingdom passes the first serious animal welfare law. Two years later, the world’s first animal welfare organization, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, comes into existence.
1866
Henry Bergh founds the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This becomes America’s first animal protection organization. The society initially focuses on New York’s horses. Soon, it turns its attention to cats and dogs.
1880
Early flea and tick products begin to bring dogs indoors. Pets start to become family members.
1893
Margaret Marshall Saunders pens Beautiful Joe. This “autobiography” of an abused dog who finds a loving home is one of the first stories told from a pet’s perspective. Mark Twain follows with his own pet autobiography, 1904’s A Dog’s Tale.
1894
A Baltimore judge rules that a cat is not property. Therefore, people can steal one without repercussion. The law similarly regards dogs as “worthless objects.”
1907
The vivisection of a dog at a London medical school sparks the Brown Dog Riots. Decades of debate over using cats and dogs in biomedical research follow.
1929
The Seeing Eye, America’s first guide dog school, opens. This ushers in an era of pets as assistance animals. Today, cats and dogs do everything from comforting children with autism to sniffing out cancer.
1942
Dogs for Defense begins training canines for war. Today, canines are a critical component of the U.S. military. General David Petraeus, former commander of US forces in Afghanistan, has said: “The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine.”
1947
Kitty litter appears on the market. This invention helps turn cats into indoor pets.
1954
The Humane Society of the United States comes into existence. Today, it is one of the world’s largest animal welfare organizations.
1964
The Florida Supreme Court rules that pets are worth more than their market value. Cats and dogs are not just property in the eyes of the law. They begin to be seen as a special type of property that has interests and feelings.
1979
The Animal Legal Defense Fund forms. This organization campaigns for the rights of cats, dogs, and other animals in the legal system.
1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires hotels, restaurants, and other businesses to admit service animals. This applies even if customers have allergies to or fear of dogs.
1994
San Francisco ends the euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats in its three shelters. This sparks the No Kill Movement.
1998
Scientists Ádám Miklósi and Brian Hare publish studies showing that dogs can understand human pointing. Chimpanzees do not show this ability. Their work prompts several more labs to begin studying the canine mind.
2000
Stanley and Linda Perkins’s legal battle over their dog, Gigi, becomes one of the most expensive pet custody battles in US history. Judges begin to consider the “best interests” of pets in custody cases.
Also in 2000, Boulder, Colorado, becomes the first city to use the term “guardian” in its pet-related ordinances. Some cities use this term instead of “owner.” Nineteen other cities and one state follow suit.
Also in 2000, the Uniform Trust Code allows owners to leave money to their companion animals after they die. Because the trusts are legally enforceable, animals denied their inheritance can theoretically have lawyer representation in court. The Uniform Trust Code has brought pets closer to being seen as “legal persons” than any other legislation.
2004
The largest veterinary malpractice damages in US history are awarded: $39,000 for a dog’s death. Critics say the rising legal status of cats and dogs could flood the courts. It could also put veterinarians out of business. Furthermore, it could threaten industries like agriculture and biomedical research.
2006
The U.S. federal government passes the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. This law impels rescue agencies to save pets along with people during natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina inspired the act. Many owners lost their lives because they refused to evacuate without their pets.
2009
Suffolk County, New York, creates America’s first animal abuser registry. Offenders appear on a public database, just like sex offenders.
2012
The Maryland Court of Appeals rules that pit bulls are “inherently dangerous.” Hundreds of cities across North America ban the breed. Others impose tough restrictions on the dog. Some pit bulls go on trial for biting people.
2013
Lackland Air Force Base unveils the US Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. This honors the service of canine soldiers. Congress considers a bill that would reclassify military working dogs from “equipment” to “canine members of the armed forces.”
2014
South Dakota becomes the 50th state to adopt a felony animal anti-cruelty law. Some states impose penalties of up to $125,000 in fines and 10 years in prison for anyone who harms a cat or dog.
Additional Resources
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