Final answer:
The dog was first domesticated by humans 32,000 years ago, with the domestication process involving selective breeding from wolf subspecies, resulting in the diverse dog breeds present today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fossil evidence indicates that the dog was the first animal to be domesticated by humans. The correct answer to the time frame of this domestication is 32,000 years ago, which corresponds to option a. The origins of the domesticated dog are indeed controversial, but most scientists agree that dogs originated from wolves, such as the subspecies Canis lupus pallipes (Indian wolf) and Canis lupus lupus (Eurasian wolf).
Through the process of selective breeding, early humans encouraged the mating of animals that displayed desired characteristics, which over time resulted in the diverse range of dog breeds we see today. Additionally, the domestication of dogs fostered different benefits for human societies, including hunting support, guarding, and protection, due to their natural instincts.