Which animal is considered one of the first to be domesticated?

The domestication of animals played a pivotal role in the development of human societies, and among the earliest domesticated animals, the dog holds a special significance. Dogs are believed to have been the first domesticated animals, originating from wolves approximately 15,000 to 30,000 years ago. They were likely drawn to human settlements by food sources and eventually became companions and helpers in various tasks such as hunting and herding.

While sheep, horses, and cattle are also important domesticated animals, they were domesticated later in human history. Sheep, for example, were domesticated around 9,000 years ago, making them among the early domesticated livestock but not the first. Horses were domesticated around 4,000 years ago, playing a crucial role in transportation and farming. Cattle were domesticated around the same time as sheep, primarily for their milk, meat, and labor.

Thus, understanding the timeline and impact of animal domestication is crucial in animal science, highlighting the dog's role as a pioneer in the journey of human-animal relationships.