DNA confirms ancient Asian origin for American dogs

[dipsydoodle]

Research has challenged the idea that dogs already present in the Americas when Europeans arrived were swamped by animals brought in by the settlers.

The genetic study suggests modern breeds from the Americas largely trace their ancestry to dogs brought to the continent from Asia by native peoples.

It establishes a native Mexican origin for the popular Chihuahua - proposed by some to have recent roots in China.

Details appear in the Royal Society journal Proceedings B.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23226796

Pre-Columbian origins of Native American dog breeds, with only limited replacement by European dogs, confirmed by mtDNA analysis http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1766/20131142.full

[Judi Lynn]

1. Thank you, ancient China. Wonderful, amazing creatures, gogs. n/t

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