Jeremy Stella is the proud “father” of a wolfdog, a mix between a wolf and a dog, named Njord. Photo: Instagram @wolf_instinct
A new study on animal domestication has found that wolf puppies raised by humans can form a bond similar to that of dogs with their caregivers.
These findings complement previous studies where wolves also played fetch, just like dogs do.
+ Click here to watch the video of Jeremy Stella and his wolfdog
For the study, conducted at Stockholm University, behavioral ecologist Christina Hansen Wheat and her colleagues compared the attachment of 12 Alaskan Huskies from two litters and 10 European gray wolves from three litters. All the animals were raised by humans from the age of 10 days.
The researchers developed a series of tests to compare the bond between the two species to determine if dogs evolved from wolves to become innately attached to humans.
In the first two months of their lives, the animals were hand-fed by their caregivers, who were present throughout this period. At four months, the presence of their caregivers gradually decreased until the animals were left alone at night.
The team found that both wolves and huskies developed the same attachment to humans at this point in their lives, whether it was greeting their caregivers, going on walks with them, or seeking physical contact.
Instagram @wolf_instinct
The study is particularly relevant given that the dogs kept as pets today are descendants of wolves. The expert explained that wolf domestication began more than 15,000 years ago, making dogs one of the first domesticated animal species.
By comparing the two species under identical conditions, the study allowed researchers to address important questions about how domestication affects animal behavior. In the end, the study raised more questions than it answered, and the team will continue studying animal behavior to better understand the relationship between animals and humans.
Photos and video: Instagram @wolf_instinct. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
