From Ann Williams
Michael Slezak writes that “the dates when dogs started to be domesticated and became a different species from wolves are a matter of some controversy” (30 May, p 12). Near a wolf and dog study centre in Battle Ground, Indiana, there is a small rescue centre for dog/wolf crosses. These are popular pets in the US but are often too dangerous to keep.
Speciation is said to occur when lines cannot mate and produce healthy offspring, so it has obviously not occurred in the case of wolves and dogs. Comparing wolves and poodles, this is often hard to believe, but behaviour gives the game away.
Chichester, West Sussex, UK
