Scientists pinpoint origins of little dogs

msnbc ^ | 2-24-10 | Jennifer Viegas

[JoeProBono]

Small dogs the world over can all trace their ancestry back to the Middle East, where the first diminutive canines emerged more than 12,000 years ago.

A new study, which appears in BMC Biology, focused on a single gene responsible for size in dogs. Researchers found that the version of the gene IGF1 that is a major determinant of small size in dogs probably originated as a result of domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf, which also happens to be smaller than many other wolves.

In terms of which came first, big dogs or small dogs, the answer is now the former......

[martin_fierro]

Scientists pinpoint origins of little dogs

[La Lydia]

How preciously darling. Yours?

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

Sadly no

[the long march]

Terriers are NOT dogs. Calling them such names will no doubt invoke some horrible hex upon your head

[DuncanWaring]

...diminutive canines emerged more than 12,000 years ago.

Dhimmis actually predate Islam?

[Battle Axe]

Dog is supposedly man’s best friend.

Bambi......well I don’t have enough room here to......

[cajuncow]

When any quack will do.

[Jeff Chandler]

Last call?

[MamaDearest]

That’s one huge wolf. We’ve had wolf tracks in the snow right up to the rear of our house. No mistaking whatsoever what the tracks were. We have cats indoors that must have lured it toward the house. We NEVER leave our cats outside for any reason. They are strictly indoors cats. Idiot neighbors get cats and let them roam, and eventually each one of them “disappears.”

[Jeff Chandler]

When did they learn to push strollers?

[green pastures]

LOL...

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 2/24/2010. Thanks JoeProBono.