Which animal was the first to be domesticated?

Dogs are regarded as the first animals to be domesticated by humans. This domestication likely began more than 20,000 years ago when early humans formed a symbiotic relationship with wolves, the ancestors of modern dogs. This relationship possibly developed as wolves scavenged near human camps, while humans benefited from the wolves' keen hunting abilities and alertness to danger.

The domestication of dogs was significant because it marked one of the earliest instances of humans intentionally influencing the behavior and breeding of another species to serve specific functions, such as companionship, protection, and assisting in hunting. This relationship laid the foundation for further domestication of other animals, which occurred much later in human history.

In contrast, other domesticated animals, such as cattle, pigs, and goats, were domesticated after dogs, and their domestication is associated with agricultural practices that developed as humans transitioned from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled farming communities. This timeline highlights the unique role of dogs in the story of animal domestication and human development.