Experts believe that the first dogs were probably wolves that were domesticated in order to hunters kill their prey. wolves were fast and fierce, and for a human being, partnership with a wolf must have been like acquiring a new weapon. wolves also benefited from a relationship with humans by being able to count on their next meal. that said, early domesticated dogs were not quite the same as wolves, because humans bred them to have smaller jaws and teeth. when early humans first began breeding their dogs, it is likely that they selected particular puppies from each litter based on their coat, their bark, their temperament, or their size. at some point, people began to use dogs to herd their other animals, and also as guards at night. people learned how to breed their animals for certain characteristics, and in this way, human beings have changed their animal companions over many, many centuries. main idea: main idea: key detail: key detail: how it supports main idea: how it supports main idea: key detail: key detail: how it supports main idea: how it supports main idea: