Which animal is recognized as one of the earliest to be tamed by humans?

The dog is recognized as one of the earliest animals to be tamed by humans. Evidence suggests that domestication of the dog began at least 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, making them perhaps the first domesticated species resulting from a close relationship with humans. This domestication likely occurred when ancient humans began to shift from nomadic lifestyles to more settled living, and they developed mutually beneficial relationships with wolves, which eventually led to the domestication of dogs for companionship, hunting, and protection.

The other animals listed, while also significant in the history of human domestication, were not the first to be tamed. For example, goats, sheep, and cattle were domesticated later as agriculture developed, but the timeline for dog domestication precedes these events, highlighting their status as the earliest known domesticated animal.