Is THIS how dogs became man's best friend? Gene mutations made pups more comfortable with humans

Dogs were first domesticated around 29,000 years ago and have since become one of the most popular species of companion animals around the world. But until now, exactly why the animals became'man's best friend' has remained unclear. Now, scientists from Azabu University in Japan believe they have the answer, having discovered two key gene mutations in dogs. These mutations may have played a role in their domestication by lowering stress and making pups more comfortable interacting with humans, according to the team. Researchers from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh recently found that dogs have similar muscles in their faces to humans, allowing them to form facial expressions close to our own.