Here's What Would Happen To Dogs If Humans Suddenly Went Extinct

As sad as it is, it's becoming increasingly evident that humankind just doesn't really have its own best interests at heart. As temperatures continue to rise and warnings of climate change become more and more desperate, swift and decisive action needs to be made. Couple that with our seemingly endless capacity to find things to go to war with each other over, and it looks as though we've always been quite content to destroy each other.

The thing is, though, it's not just ourselves we're endangering. Since the dawn of time, countless fascinating species have gone extinct. According to Our World In Data, 4 billion different species of all kinds are estimated to have evolved here on Earth, 99 percent of which have since disappeared entirely. We may not have shared the planet with some of them, but we've certainly contributed to the decline of many species.

What of humankind's best friend, the dog? Would our furry friends survive without us, if humanity bowed out? Ultimately, that's a difficult question.

According to BBC News, dogs were likely first domesticated up to 40,000 years ago. From the taming of wolves to the development of professional and familial bonds over the centuries, our two species have lived in relative harmony for a very long time. Shared bonds of love and protection were forged that continue today, as we've both come to rely on each other. For domesticated dogs, this has meant regular feedings, shampoo grooming, and comfy beds. What would the outlook be for them without all of these familiar canine comforts?

The way PetMD tells it, a world suddenly sans humans would mark a tremendous paradigm shift for our beloved pets. Simply to survive, they would need to redevelop the most fundamental skills: finding food, water, mates (potentially from other canine breeds), and a safe place to rest being paramount. In true Charles Darwin fashion, those that were most successful in doing so (suggested being average-sized species rather than particularly small or large ones) would potentially pass these skills down, and so a new doggy age would begin.

While, sadly, not all dogs would survive without us (unsurprising, with the way some people pamper their furry friends), it's also important to note that many are getting along just fine without us at this very moment: PetMD goes on to explain that nearly 80 percent of dogs today are free-range, and so probably wouldn't be tremendously impacted by our absence either way.