The Neanderthals were long gone.
When were dogs domesticated
Dogs were domesticated between 12,500 and 15,000 years ago, but recent genetic studies suggest it might have occurred earlier, possibly around 33,000 years ago. The domestication process likely occurred in different locations, possibly including Central Asia, East Asia, and Western Europe.
Here's a more detailed look at the timeline:
Around 33,000 years ago:
Evidence of dog remains suggests possible domestication in the Altai Mountains of Siberia and a cave in Belgium.
Between 18,800 and 32,100 years ago:
Some research suggests dogs were domesticated in Europe or western Siberia during this period.
14,200 years ago:
The oldest undisputed dog skeleton, buried with humans in Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany, provides concrete evidence of domestication.
15,000 to 14,000 years ago:
Wolves, the ancestors of modern dogs, began associating more closely with humans.
12,500 years ago:
The domestication of dogs is widely accepted to have occurred by this time.
11,000 years ago:
Humans in the Near East started developing relationships with wild animal populations, including aurochs, boar, sheep, and goats.
When did Neanderthals go extinct:
Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago. The last evidence of their presence in Europe and Western Eurasia, including cave sites like Gorham's Cave in Gibraltar, dates back to this period. While some speculate that interbreeding with early modern humans contributed to their decline, the exact causes of their extinction are still debated by scientists.