For thousands of years, humans have selectively bred dogs to fulfill specific roles, ranging from guarding and hunting to herding and companionship. This deliberate shaping of traits has resulted in ...

For decades, scientists have studied animals living in or near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to see how increased levels of radiation affect their health, growth, and evolution. A study analyzed ...

Modern dog breeds come in a mind-boggling array of shapes and sizes—from Chihuahua to Great Dane, corgi to greyhound, pug to German shepherd. In fact, the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, shows more ...

It seems the diversity of domestic dogs first began developing thousands of years before humans started intensely shaping modern breeds in the 19th century—challenging what we thought about canine ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. From their wolf ancestors to today’s sweet, loyal ...