Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** The Invention of Dogs: A 30,000-Year History
**Summary:**
* Humans are credited with inventing dogs (~30,000 years ago) by domesticating proto-wolves that wandered into their camps.
* Over time, these friendly canines evolved into dogs, contributing to human society by hunting, pulling sleds, and more.
* As humans transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to farmers, dogs adapted to new roles, leading to various breeds.
* A 50-year Russian experiment with silver foxes demonstrated how selecting for tameness can lead to physical changes, similar to those seen in dog domestication.
* Humans have since guided dog evolution, creating over 400 breeds with distinct features, although this selective breeding has led to health issues in some purebred dogs.
* Despite this, dogs remain "humans' best friend," a result of thousands of years of intentional breeding for desirable traits.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences, without opinions:
**Early History of Dogs**
1. Humans first domesticated dogs approximately 30,000 years ago.
2. Early dogs descended from a common ancestor of wolves and dogs, which were attracted to human camps by food.
3. Friendlier canines settled near human camps, leading to a mutually beneficial arrangement (food for protection).
4. Over generations, these canines evolved into dogs, becoming contributing members of society.
5. By 16,700 years ago, these dogs were no longer wild and self-sufficient like their wolf cousins.
**Evolution and Breeding**
6. Early dogs helped humans with hunting and pulling sleds.
7. With the advent of farming, dogs evolved to feed on farm scraps.
8. Humans began breeding dogs for specific traits around 9,000 years ago (e.g., hunting polar bears in Siberia).
9. Many modern dog breeds emerged within the last 400 years.
10. A 50-year Russian experiment with silver foxes demonstrated that selecting for tameness can lead to physical changes (e.g., floppier ears, curlier tails, lighter fur).
**Specific Breeds and Their Origins**
11. The Saluki is considered one of the most ancient dog breeds, emerging around 4,000 years ago.
12. The Samoyed was bred by Siberian people for hunting, sled-pulling, and herding reindeer.
13. The Basenji was used for hunting in ancient Egypt.
14. The Shar-Pei was bred to hunt wild boar, with its wrinkled skin providing protection.
15. The Chow Chow was used as a war dog, fighting alongside Mongolians.
**Health Issues in Purebred Dogs**
16. Strict breeding to maintain pure breeds has led to a shallow gene pool, resulting in health issues.
17. Examples of breed-specific health issues include autoimmune diseases in Huskies, obesity in Labs, and eye problems in Pugs.
18. Mixed-breed dogs (mutts) tend to be healthier than purebred dogs.