Dogs’ brains began to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, study finds
A recent study indicates that dogs' brains began to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, providing insights into their domestication. Researchers found that modern dogs have brains that are 32% smaller than those of ancient wolves. Despite this reduction, experts assert that domestication has not made dogs less intelligent, but rather more adept at understanding and communicating with humans.
- ▪Dogs' brains started to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, according to a new study.
- ▪Modern dog breeds have brains that are 32% smaller than ancient and modern wolves.
- ▪The study suggests that domestication has enhanced dogs' ability to understand humans rather than diminish their intelligence.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — Science |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/29/dogs-brains-shrink-5000-years-ago |
| Publication time | Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:01:38 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-04-28T23:36:43.570Z |
| Last seen | 2026-04-28T23:36:43.570Z |
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Domestication did not make dogs stupid, the experts say, but rather made them really capable of understanding us. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDomestication did not make dogs stupid, the experts say, but rather made them really capable of understanding us. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty ImagesEvolutionDogs’ brains began to shrink at least 5,000 years ago, study findsResearch offers insights into domestication of dogs but it remains unclear why they ended up with smaller brains than wolvesNicola Davis Science correspondentTue 28 Apr 2026 19.01 EDTLast modified on Wed 29 Apr 2026 09.22 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIt has long been known that dogs have less between their ears than wolves, but now research has suggested their brains started to get…
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