Dog DNA Testing 

Purebred dog owners usually don’t give much thought to DNA testing, but it’s a different story for the “What breed is my dog?” set. Those are the folks who may have adopted a dog of unknown origins from a shelter or rescue, or who just want to break down some of the varieties in their Heinz 57 canine. For those dog owners, dog DNA testing is akin to the DNA kit you might order for a genealogy test. Without the latter you may never have discovered your Italian or Irish heritage, for example. With a canine DNA test, you might discover that your nondescript – but adorable- furry friend has hound or shepherd ancestry that belie his looks but explain some behaviors. However, that’s not the only reason to consider a DNA test for your dog.

Health Issues

Even though mixed-breed dogs are supposed to display “hybrid vigor,” or better health than inbred purebreds, actual studies on the subject don’t reveal a lot of information. There are also breeds with a lot of genetic health issues– including Doberman pinschers, bulldogs, boxers and golden retrievers. Besides the expense of treating these issues, many of them prove fatal. If your dog had one purebred parent or a lot of genetic material from a pure breed, he may prove vulnerable to these health problems. At the very least, you are forewarned and may take some preventive measures if you know your dog’s ancestry.

When you know your dog’s genetic background and have the information on file with your vet, that’s another diagnostic resource if your pet becomes sick and it’s hard to pinpoint the cause. Your vet might look into a genetic disease she wouldn’t have suspected in your dog because the animal bears little physical resemblance to that breed.

Size Matters

You know that cute little mutt isn’t going to remain small for long. If you really have no idea about your puppy’s parentage, you also don’t know how big he will eventually grow. DNA testing done when he is still a puppy can give you a better idea of his size as an adult. It’s not perfect, but if he has a lot of large dog breeds in his ancestry, he’s unlikely to remain tiny, and vice versa.

The DNA Kit

If you’ve had your own DNA tested, you probably had to spit into a vial, seal it and return to the DNA company. Obviously, even the best-trained pooch isn’t going to spit into a container. A dog DNA kit usually consists of two cheek swabs – used for one dog – a swab-drying insert, prepaid shipping label and a detailed list of instructions.

The Wisdom Panel

One of the best-known dog DNA test kits is the Wisdom Panel. We’ll use the Wisdom Panel’s instructions as a guideline. Put on disposable gloves before starting the process so your DNA isn’t inadvertently included in the sample. Then proceeds as follows:

· Remove a swab

· Twist the swab firmly on the inside of your dog’s cheek for 20 seconds. Your pet probably won’t be too happy about this aspect of the testing, but it doesn’t hurt.

· Put the swab into the swab-drying insert and let it dry for 5 minutes. Then go back and repeat the process using the second swab.

· Go online and activate your dog DNA test. You then receive a confirmation number, which you should write on the first label. After adding the number to the label, put the first label on the swab sleeve. Then place both swabs into the sleeve – but do not seal it. Sealing the sleeve can result in the growth of bacteria and disrupt the DNA identification process. Place the sleeve into the box or envelope and then seal that. Put the shipping label on the envelope or box, mail it, and expect to receive the results within a few weeks.

Tips for Saliva Production

If your dog drools a lot, getting an adequate amount of saliva on the swabs isn’t a problem. If your dog isn’t much of a saliva producer, you may have to work a little to get the juices flowing. Wave a treat in front of him before inserting the swabs in his cheek. However, do not feed him the treat until you are done with the saliva collection. Always wait at least an hour or two after your dog eats to get a saliva sample. The instructions on your particular kit will let you know how long to wait post-feeding.

Blood Sample Kits

Some DNA kits require blood samples rather than saliva testing. Unless you are a veterinary professional, you should not try to draw your dog’s blood on your own. Since these kits are often marketed by veterinarians, you can have the dog’s blood drawn and the kit mailed off while at the annual wellness exam. Blood samples do contain larger amounts of DNA than saliva, but saliva yields sufficient amounts for dog DNA tests. Keep in mind, though, that samples taken by your vet are less likely to become contaminated, and the sample size is adequate.

DNA Testing Ancestry vs. Health

The costs of dog DNA tests vary. The Wisdom Panel, for example, offers several types of DNA kits. A version known as 4.0 retails for less than $100, but deals primarily with ancestry, not health. It does test for two genetic mutations, which involve exercise collapse and reactions to certain drugs. The Wisdom Panel Health Kit retails for approximately $150, but in addition to breed information, the DNA is tested for over 140 genetic issues. Dog DNA testing involves looking for genetic markers. The more markers available, and the more they match up with your pet, the more credible the results.

The Breed Panel

If your dog is of unknown ancestry, how likely is it that any of his forebears were purebreds? There are hundreds of existing dog breeds – will dog DNA tests reveal every single one contributing to your dog’s lineage? The answer to the first question is that your dog might share types of DNA common in certain dog breeds, although evidence may skew toward a type of canine than a specific breed. You should also spend the money and use a DNA kit that tests for the largest number of breeds. In short, you want the DNA kit with the best database. Some DNA kits include the 95 most popular breeds, and based on popularity, there’s a greater likelihood that your dog shares some of that ancestry. However, a more comprehensive database of 250 breeds or more can give you broader, more accurate information.

Pure breeds came from breeding other types and breeds and dogs to develop a canine used for specific purposes, such as guarding, hunting or tracking. In fact, just over a century ago, the English cocker spaniel and the English springer spaniel were the same breed. Dogs that look and whose names sound somewhat alike – such as the Doberman pinscher and the miniature pinscher – may be completely unrelated. You may receive information that your dog is more of a type than a breed per se, and that’s fine.

Making a Decision

When making a decision about which DNA test kit to choose, figure out your primary reason for pursuing the test. If it’s merely to settle an argument that Fido must have some dachshund in him, a less expensive test will suffice. If you want the lowdown on your dog’s ancestry and predisposition to disease, spend the money for the more sophisticated test.

Purebred dog owners who have their pet’s American Kennel Club papers usually don’t give much thought to DNA testing, but it’s a different story for the “What breed is my dog?” set. Those are the folks who may have adopted a dog of unknown origins from a shelter or rescue, or who just want to break down some of the varieties in their Heinz 57 canine. They want to know, “How can I DNA my dog?

For those dog owners, dog DNA testing is akin to the DNA kit you might order for a genealogy test. Without the latter you may never have discovered your Italian or Irish heritage, for example. With a canine DNA test, you might discover that your nondescript – but adorable- furry friend has hound, shepherd or pit bull ancestry that belie his looks but explain some dog behaviors. However, that’s not the only reason to consider a DNA test for your dog.

Health Issues

Even though mixed breed dogs are supposed to display “hybrid vigor,” or better health than inbred purebreds, actual studies on the subject don’t reveal a lot of information. There are also breeds with a lot of genetic health issues– including Doberman pinschers, bulldogs, boxers and golden retrievers. Besides the expense of treating these issues, many of them prove fatal. If your dog had one purebred parent or a lot of genetic material from a pure breed, he may prove vulnerable to these health problems. At the very least, you are forewarned and may take some preventive measures if you know your dog’s ancestry.

When you know your dog’s genetic background and have the information on file with your vet, that’s another diagnostic resource if your pet becomes sick and it’s hard to pinpoint the cause. Your vet might look into a genetic disease she wouldn’t have suspected in your dog because the animal bears little physical resemblance to that breed.

Size Matters

You know that cute little mutt isn’t going to remain small for long. If you really have no idea about your dog’s family tree, you also don’t know how big he will eventually grow. A DNA profile done when he is still a puppy can give you a better idea of his size as an adult. It’s not perfect, but if he has a lot of large dog breeds in his ancestry, he’s unlikely to remain tiny, and vice versa.

The DNA Kit

If you’ve had your own DNA tested, you probably had to spit into a vial, seal it and return to the DNA company. Obviously, even the best-trained pooch isn’t going to spit into a container. A dog DNA kit usually consists of two cheek swabs – used for one dog – a swab-drying insert, prepaid shipping label and a detailed list of instructions.

The Wisdom Panel

One of the best-known dog DNA test kits is the Wisdom Panel. We’ll use the Wisdom Panel’s instructions as a guideline. Put on disposable gloves before starting the process so your DNA isn’t inadvertently included in the sample. Then proceeds as follows:

· Remove a swab

· Twist the swab firmly on the inside of your dog’s cheek for 20 seconds. Your pet probably won’t be too happy about this aspect of the testing, but it doesn’t hurt.

· Put the swab into the swab-drying insert and let it dry for 5 minutes. Then go back and repeat the process using the second swab.

· Go online and activate your dog DNA test. You then receive a confirmation number, which you should write on the first label. After adding the number to the label, put the first label on the swab sleeve. Then place both swabs into the sleeve – but do not seal it. Sealing the sleeve can result in the growth of bacteria and disrupt the DNA identification process. Place the sleeve into the box or envelope and then seal that. Put the shipping label on the envelope or box, mail it, and expect to receive the results within a few weeks.

Tips for Saliva Production

If your dog drools a lot, getting an adequate amount of saliva on the swabs for a DNA sample isn’t a problem. If your dog isn’t much of a saliva producer, you may have to work a little to get the juices flowing. Wave a treat in front of him before inserting the swabs in his cheek. However, do not feed him the treat until you are done with the saliva collection. Always wait at least an hour or two after your dog eats to get a saliva sample. The instructions on your particular kit will let you know how long to wait post-feeding before you should stick a swab in a dog mouth.

Blood Sample Kits

Some DNA kits require blood samples rather than saliva testing. Unless you are a veterinary professional, you should not try to draw your dog’s blood on your own. Since these kits are often marketed by veterinarians, you can have the dog’s blood drawn and the kit mailed off while at the annual wellness exam. Blood samples do contain larger amounts of DNA than saliva, but saliva yields sufficient amounts for dog DNA tests. Keep in mind, though, that samples taken by your vet are less likely to become contaminated, and the sample size is adequate.

DNA Testing Ancestry vs. Health

The costs of dog DNA tests vary. The Wisdom Panel, for example, offers several types of DNA kits. A version known as 4.0 retails for less than $100, but deals primarily with ancestry, not health. It does test for two genetic mutations, which involve exercise-induced collapse and reactions to certain drugs. The Wisdom Panel Health Kit retails for approximately $150, but in addition to parentage testing, the DNA is tested for over 140 genetic issues. Pet DNA testing involves looking for genetic markers. The more markers available, and the more they match up with your dog, the more credible the results.

The Breed Panel

If your dog is of unknown ancestry, how likely is it that any of his forebears were purebreds? There are hundreds of existing dog breeds – will dog DNA tests reveal every single one contributing to your dog’s lineage? The answer to the first question is that your dog might share types of DNA common in certain dog breeds, although evidence may skew toward a type of canine than a specific breed. You should also spend the money and use a DNA kit that tests for the largest number of breeds. In short, you want the DNA kit with the best database. Some DNA kits include the 95 most popular breeds, and based on popularity, there’s a greater likelihood that your dog shares some of that ancestry. However, a more comprehensive database of 250 breeds or more can give you broader, more accurate information, and you have a better idea of what makes your dog unique, at least in terms of dog breed DNA.

Pure breeds came from breeding other types and breeds and dogs to develop a canine used for specific purposes, such as guarding, hunting or tracking. In fact, just over a century ago, the English cocker spaniel and the English springer spaniel were the same breed. Dogs that look and whose names sound somewhat alike – such as the Doberman pinscher and the miniature pinscher – may be completely unrelated. You may receive information that your dog is more of a type than a breed per se, and that’s fine.

Dog Poop DNA

There’s another reason people may want a DNA sample, and it has nothing to do with breed identification. If someone isn’t picking up after their dog in the neighborhood, a dog poop DNA test can identify the culprit. Many property managers want this information for dogs living on their premises. Companies such as Biopet Pet Labs provide this service, identifying the animal through a dog sample of feces or other matter, such as tissue or semen.

Making a Decision

When making a decision about which DNA test kit to choose, figure out your primary reason for pursuing the test. If it’s merely to settle an argument that Fido must have some German shepherd in him, a less expensive test will suffice. If you want the lowdown on dog ancestry and any predisposition to disease, spend the money for the more sophisticated test.