Your response is fascinating. I wonder what would happen if you took a wild animal raised in captivity as a “pet” and bred it only with other wild animals raised in the same manner. If you did that for several generations, would the wildness be bred out?
I had a Doberman Pinscher that came from a long line of domesticated Dobermans. He was a wonderful, wonderful pet, companion, and friend. But, when push came to shove, genetics won out, and Baron was still a Dobie.
Captivity isn’t the key. You must also kill off the animals with the sharpest teeth, the strongest horns, the most aggressive dispositions, the longest mouth, ....... so you’ll want to try: http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS375&q=russia+fox+domestication&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=
It would take several generations and it would still be risky. Dogs originate from wolves but have been crossbred for thousands of years to be trustworthy pets. The instincts that would allow them to survive in the wild has mostly been bred out but a few still have the pack survival instinct.
Wild animals that have been in captivity for only 100 years or so are still mostly wild. Take American Bison for example. People have been raising them in captivity for generations but they still retain a lot of “wild” and can’t be trusted. Wolf/dog hybrids are popular but they are dangerous IMO because they are a very confused animal. You never know part you will see in every situation.
IMO, no animal, domesticated or not, is completely trustworthy during breeding season. Even perfectly raised dogs can be different when breeding or raising pups. I’ve lived on a farm all my life and raised cattle, horses and hogs. You never turn your back on a bull, a boar hog or a stud horse during breeding season. :-)
Uh...’Domesticated’ Dobermans?
“Your response is fascinating. I wonder what would happen if you took a wild animal raised in captivity as a “pet” and bred it only with other wild animals raised in the same manner. If you did that for several generations, would the wildness be bred out?”
Some folks did that with the ancestor of the modern wolf about 150,000 years ago and got a dog. But then, they don’t make people like they used to - they were pretty tough.
They also did something similar with wild hogs, sheep, horses, cats, etc. The Russians did it recently with wild foxes.
It depends on the animal, the circumstances and the people.
You need a particular kind of species - one with a short lifespan - but not too short, one you can control - sort of (ever see a picture of an aurochs - the ancestor of modern cattle?), etc.
Given enough time, patience - and casualties - you could probably domesticate most anything.
I had a Doberman Pinscher that came from a long line of domesticated Dobermans. He was a wonderful, wonderful pet, companion, and friend. But, when push came to shove, genetics won out, and Baron was still a Dobie.