The first true dog, according to current understanding, was named Cynodictis.
Cynodictis evolved from Miacis approximately 30 to 40 million years ago. It was a medium-sized animal, longer than it was tall, possessed a long tail and had a fairly brushy coat. Over many years, Cynodictis eventually branched into two distinct lines, one in Africa and the other in Eurasia. This species is considered a key ancestor to modern-day canids.
