A new study in Nature released this week indicates that your pooch is most likely a descendant from Middle Eastern wolves. The study evaluated genetic traits from 85 breeds of dogs and 200 wild wolves, and researchers found that dogs are probably most closely related to the Middle Eastern gray wolf.
Israelis are nicknamed ‘sabras’ in a reference to the juicy cactus fruit that is prickly on the outside and sweet in the center (that analogy is truly up for debate).
Alright, I’ll admit it. This breed of wolf lives throughout the Middle East, including the fertile crescent. Therefore, most likely, these wolves mingled mostly and adapted with non-Jews in the region.
Then again, when Fido snatches food off the table or doesn’t make room on the couch, he’s showing quite a bit chutzpah and might, just might, have an uncanny urge to find the afikoman during Passover.
That said, Fido also loves bacon.