The Journey of Dogs to the Americas: Debates and Discoveries

The relationship between humans and dogs has a history that extends far beyond 12,000 years ago. While there are ongoing debates about when humans arrived in the Americas, it is clear that this period is much longer than the commonly acknowledged 12,000 years. Archaeologists are making continuous discoveries, shedding new light on this complex history.

During a timeline that is much later, around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, there were various species of canines created. Some of these canines are believed to be the ancestors of the modern dog species that existed post-diluvian, as mentioned in some religious texts. However, this does not explain the vast journey of dogs to the Americas.

According to current knowledge, dogs did not arrive in the Americas at once. For instance, Arctic dogs arrived much later from East Asia with the Thule culture. Siberian huskies, on the other hand, were imported to Alaska during the Gold Rush. Other dogs were brought to the Americas by European colonizers.

The belief of dogs crossing the Bering Strait alongside their human companions holds a certain charm, but archaeological evidence suggests that dogs may have come with a later wave of immigrants. This aligns with historical records mentioned in Marion Schwartz's book, A History of Dogs in the Early Americas, which states that, ldquo;the Western Hemisphere was first populated with people accompanied by dogs who migrated from Northeast Asia.rdquo;

By the time Spanish explorers arrived with Columbus, dogs were already widespread throughout North and much of South America. Their roles varied across different cultures, serving as pets, food sources, or even adored figures. The arrival of Spanish mastiffs and large hunting greyhounds marked a new era. While initially used for aggressive purposes, these dogs were later recognized for their potential value, and native American cultures began to adapt them to more useful behaviors.

Modern DNA testing reveals that there is almost no trace of the original American dog DNA left. No pure breeds of the original dogs remain. However, some breeds have inherited some of the DNA from the earlier dogs, such as the hairless dogs from Mexico and Central America.

For further reading, I recommend Marion Schwartz's book A History of Dogs in the Early Americas and Bryan Cummins' Our Debt to the Dog. These works offer comprehensive insights into the journey and evolution of dogs in the Americas.