Before they were our best friends, dogs were wild animals. They still retain many of their natural instincts. You can see this in feral dogs who are homeless. Yet, the question remains: could a domesticated dog survive in the wild?
Most domesticated dogs would revert to their primal instincts without humans. However, some dog breeds are better equipped for survival than others.
Read on to learn about how domesticated dogs would fare without human intervention.
Many Dogs Survive in the Wild
Domesticated dogs rely on us for food and companionship. Yet, if humans were to disappear, they would have many of the skills needed to survive without us. This is seen in the millions of street dogs worldwide.
Street dogs (sometimes regionally called “sato” or “potcakes”) usually live near human settlements, where they forage through garbage cans for food. Feral dogs form packs of around 10 members, usually with two males and six to eight females, with one dog as leader. These packs work together to hunt prey and raise puppies.
Sadly, because of the harsh elements, these dogs seldom reach middle age. So, while many dogs can and do survive in the wild, their lifespans are significantly shorter than dogs who live with humans.
Certain Breeds Are Not Equipped for the Wild
There are hundreds of dog breeds around the world, each with unique features. For instance, Siberian Huskies have double coats that regulate body temperature when it’s too hot or cold. Labrador Retrievers have webbed feet to swim and retrieve items from the water. These unique features could benefit a dog fending for itself.
However, some dog breeds have features that are a detriment to living in the wild. Brachycephalic dogs, for instance, would have difficulty living without humans because they often have health issues and difficulty breathing, which would be a liability in the wild. Smaller dogs would have trouble navigating the environment and could all prey to predators.
Herding breeds and dogs built for hard work and an active lifestyle would do the best in the wild. Medium-sized dogs also have an advantage because they are big enough to regulate their body temperatures. They also don’t need to eat as often as larger dogs.
Will Dogs Revert to Wolves Without Humans?
Dogs are the result of many generations of intentional breeding by humans. Even though dogs are closely related to wolves, they are no longer wolves. They will never go back to being wolves, even if humans were to disappear. However, they wouldn’t necessarily go back to being dogs as we know them, either.
Since we have selectively bred dogs for certain traits, without us, they would need to find their own mates and raise their puppies on their own. After several generations, these dogs would become something completely new that fits the environment around them. Their features, personalities, and habits would depend on their location, the food resources they have, and the competition they have with other animals.
Many of the designer dog traits, such as curly tails, floppy ears, short snouts, and excess skin folds, would likely disappear in favor of more practical characteristics.
Would Dogs Be Better Off Without People?
This is a complex question. For the last 20,000 years, dogs and humans have lived together as companions, and that bond makes it hard to answer this question completely. However, dogs do have emotions, although not as complex as human ones. They do show signs of missing their owners when they are separated from them.
So, in the short term, dogs would likely miss their owners and have a hard time without them. In the long term, dogs as a species would have a different life than they do now. They would be free to roam, mate as they choose, and live free from human intervention.
Yet, dogs would also have more stress, no veterinary care, and face harsh weather conditions. These factors would significantly affect a dog’s quality of life and ultimately shorten it.
What if My Dog Ran Away?
If your dog has gone missing, you are likely sick with worry. Don’t write your dog off as lost in the wild just yet. There is hope. Most dogs don’t stray too far from home. So, first, go around your neighborhood and call for your dog.
Make cheerful sounds and bring treats to lure your pet out. Be sure to listen for them, as well. They could be stuck somewhere and cannot get to you. If you and your dog typically walk around the neighborhood, check out spaces your dog tends to like. Put posters up around your neighborhood and ask your neighbors if they’ve seen your dog.
If you don’t have luck in your neighborhood, contact local shelters. Many people will take lost dogs to vets and shelters to check for a microchip. Also, check with animal control to make sure it has not picked up your dog.
In the future, you can prevent your dog from getting lost by ensuring they wear a collar with your phone number listed. You can also ask your vet about getting your dog microchipped.
Domesticated Dogs Rely on People
Dogs and humans are the best of friends, but if humans were to disappear, many dogs would revert to their wild instincts and survive without us. Still, certain breeds would survive better than others.
If you have lost your dog, they can likely survive for a short time in the wild, depending on their breed and natural instincts. The good news is that many lost dogs are recovered, so there is hope that you and your pet will be reunited soon.
