Of Wolves and Dogs

                                                                                     100% Wolf

                                                                                   98.8% Wolf

Dogs and wolves share 98.8% of their DNA.  Minor variations in the dog’s genome, possibly effecting 0.1% of dog’s DNA are believed to account for most of the variation between household pet and wild creature.  Scientist hope that this well preserved ancient puppy holds clues to how and when that process of change occurred.

The 18,000-year-old body of a near perfectly preserved puppy has left scientists puzzled.

Russian scientists discovered the body of the canine near Yakutsk, in eastern Siberia. Preserved by permafrost, the specimen's nose, fur and teeth are remarkably intact.Using carbon dating on the creature's rib bone, experts from Sweden's Centre for Palaeogenetics were able to confirm that the specimen had been frozen for around 18,000 years, but extensive DNA tests have so far been unable to show whether the animal was a dog or a wolf.