We Now Know When Dog Brains Shrank – And It Might Be Our Fault

A French-led study found dog brains had already shrunk markedly by the Late Neolithic, around 5,000 years ago.

Researchers compared cranial cavity volumes in prehistoric and modern dogs and wolves using CT scans and fossil data.

The results suggest brain shrinkage began well before modern times, likely tied to domestication in agricultural settlements.

The findings help date a major shift in dog evolution and may reflect human selection for behavior and temperament.