8 Wild Animals Ancient Cultures Successfully Tamed (5 of 5)

The Coast Salish of North America (Woolly Dogs)

Modern dog breeders select traits that make dogs useful in various lines of work (e.g., police K-9s, herding on a sheep farm) and for adoption for humans looking for a companion (temperament, teddy-bear appearance). But for thousands of years in the past, the Coast Salish people who lived in today’s Pacific Northwest were breeding a particular type of dog known for its thick coat, which was shorn and used to make super warm blankets. Because woolly dogs’ coats were so essential in providing warmth and served ceremonial and economic purposes, the indigenous people used selective breeding techniques to ensure the best quality. Sadly, the woolly dog became extinct following contact with European settlers.