Domesticated Canine (Canis lupus familiaris) No other animal has so become such an integral part of peoples’ lives as the domestic dog. Descended from the Gray Wolf over 15,000 years ago, no other animal has been selectively bred to such diverse lengths of sizes, shapes, and temperaments. Such specialized breeds include dogs such as the Chihuahua and Maltese, meant simply for companionship, whose sizes have dwindled to a few pounds. Hunting dogs range from the elongated dachshund whose shape is beneficial for burrowing in tunnels to get badgers, to the Greyhound whose very name is synonymous with speed. They seem very different from their wolf ancestors, but they are still closely enough related that they may still interbreed.

Domesticated dog, Dalmation

Gray Wolf

Domesticated Cat (Felis Catus) Cats cuddle and come when you call, but they certainly aren’t as domesticated as many other animals such as dogs. In fact, their self-reliance has caused many problems in the form of feral cats that have decimated many native species of animals across the globe. Cats are descended from African Wildcats, also known as the Desert Cat, and one look at this animal will tell you cats haven’t descended very far.

Domesticated Shorthair

African Wildcat

Domesticated Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Where chickens was first domesticated is still a mystery, although India or Southeast Asia are the top candidates. They are descended from the very similar-looking Red Junglefowl.

Chicken

Red Junglefowl

Domesticated Horses (Equus ferus caballus) It is believed the first horses were domesticated around 4,000 B.C. It is still not known for sure from which breeds of wild horse they are descended from, but most experts believe it to be a combination of at least four. Today, none of the founding races of wild horses survive. The only true undomesticated breed of horse that has so far escaped extinction is Przewalski’s Horse, which is not an ancestor of modern domesticated horses.

Modern Horse

Przewalski’s Horse

Domesticated Donkey (Equus africanus asinus) It is easy to think that the donkey is just another offshoot of domesticated horses, but they are descended from the African Wild Ass, which still exists in the wild although it is considered critically endangered.

Modern Donkey

African Wild Ass

Domesticated Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Although Ancient Romans kept colonies of rabbits, selective breeding and farming didn’t begin in earnest until the middle ages. Now, domestic rabbits come in a vast array of colors and sizes with 47 different recognized varieties. Small dwarf rabbits hover around 2.5 lbs. and the enormous Flemish Giants can reach 20 lbs. or more. Ears can be erect or lop. Fur comes in short rex form and ranges to the never ending wool of the Angora that can be spun like a sheep’s, and bunny fur comes in more colors than can be listed.

Rabbit, Chinchilla 

European Rabbit