Final answer:
Dogs were among the first animals to be domesticated by humans transitioning to an agricultural lifestyle about 10,000 years ago. They served various roles in historical societies, from herding and transportation to being a food source in some cultures. This domestication had a profound impact on human cultural and economic development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The domestication of dogs is a significant historical development for human societies. Dogs believed to originate from certain wolf subspecies like Canis lupus pallipes and Canis lupus, provided numerous benefits to early human cultures. This domestication process took place around the advent of sedentary agriculture 10,000 years ago, where selective breeding played a fundamental role in favoring traits such as a calm temperament and sociability within species. As humans moved towards a more settled lifestyle with reliable food sources, dogs began to be used for various purposes, including herding, transportation, and as a food source in some cultures.
Dogs have been integral in the development of pastoralism, acting not just as companions, but also as protectors and guides for livestock. Strategies like breeding helped moderate the dogs' instincts to create animals capable of herding and safeguarding other animals. In terms of transportation, dogs were vital in many Indigenous cultures, where they helped to haul goods and sometimes even children. Some Indigenous cultures, particularly within Mesoamerica, also raised dogs for consumption, like the hairless breed Xoloitzcuintli recognized today.
Overall, the impact of dog domestication on human cultural evolution has been transformative, underpinning economic activities such as herding, and transportation, and even defining social structures in totemic societies.