Did you know that dogs were once wolf-like, wild animals? According to MNN, domesticated breed dogs began to exist about 300 years ago. Three-quarters of the world's dogs are what are known as village dogs. This means they roam and mate freely and scavenge for food from human populations. 43 village dogs were recently studied to get a clear idea of the true genetic changes in canine evolution. Specific genes involved in domestication influenced brain function, development and behavior.