Recent genetic studies have confirmed that humans lived alongside dogs far earlier than previously believed, with evidence suggesting this companionship dates back over 15,000 years. The genomic history of early dogs in Europe indicates they were present across western Eurasia during the Palaeolithic era. Notable discoveries include the identification of the world’s oldest known domesticated dog, dating to approximately 15,800 years ago, and findings that suggest domesticated dogs may have arrived in Western regions over 3,000 years earlier than previously thought. These studies shed light on the evolutionary history of our canine companions and their critical role in human societies since the Ice Age.