What was one of the earliest roles of dogs in human societies?

The story behind the answer

Guarding and hunting assistance came first because early humans were hunter‑gatherers. Dogs, descended from gray wolves, excelled at tracking scents, flushing or holding game, retrieving, and sounding alarms around camps. Archaeological evidence of human–dog burials from over 15,000 years ago suggests a working partnership long before farms or sled routes existed.

Herding arose later with the advent of livestock in the Neolithic, and sled pulling developed in specific Arctic cultures. Companionship was likely a valuable side effect, not the original driver. Memory tip: fangs before farms—dogs first helped humans hunt and guard, then later learned to herd and haul.