LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Comments

Thanks for the info LovinMutts! I've added Wisdom Panel to the links in the article above. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Wisdom Panel has just released a dog DNA blood test that detects 157 breeds with a 90% accuracy rate.

For more info, visit Wisdompanel.com.

-- Contributed by: LovinMutts

Hi Anna, and welcome to the site.

Actually, it's a little disturbing to hear you got such widely different results. This raises questions about the veracity of the lab's methods. Also, asking for a picture was totally unecessary since the DNA should have told the story. Which company's test did you use?

~ Kel

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I sent my dog's dna away to be tested the first results were labrador poodle mix. I called them up saying they must of made a mistake. My dog only weighs 17 pounds and he is not that mix. So they said they would do another test when they expanded their testing and they also requested a picture of my dog. A month later my new results came back. Now my dog is a golden retriever Chihuahua mix. Well the chihauhua part I can believe...I complained again..but it was of no use..It is strange how you can get two different dna results from the same dog. Luckily I ordered through a pet catalog and they agreed with me the results were not accurate and I got my money back..

-- Contributed by: Anna Shimada

Hi Isable,

Yes, as long as the other half is one of the 38 breeds the test should be able to tell you what your dog's mix is. Actually, I believe Metamorphix has expanded the breed list. Just click on the link at the end of the article above and it will take you to the website that markets the test.

Thanks for your question!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a Pomeranian mix. Can the test determine what her other half is as long as it is one of the 38 detectable breeds?

-- Contributed by: Isabel

Hi Jennifer,

The test is only designed to detect 38 specific dog breeds. I'm not sure if it is designed to detect wolf genes, but since all modern dog breeds are decended from wolf ancestors, it's possible that these genetics would show up. I just don't don't know if the test is designed to account for this, or if wolf genetics from a close ancestor would just show up as unidentifiable. This is a good question, but I think you need to contact Metamorphix directly through the link above to get a definitive answer.

Thanks for your question, and please share the answer with us once you speak with the laboratory.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I adopted a siberian husky/alaskian malamute a few months ago but he doesn't look like a malamute but more wolf like is it possible to find out if my dog is part wolf?

-- Contributed by: Jennifer

The only reason that I would want to receive a DNA test for my dog is that I purchased him from Petland and I don't believe that he is truly the breed that they say he is. Are these tests accurate enough to prove that my dog is not in fact a Shih-Tzu?

Hi Kelley,

The test is designed to detect Shih tzu genetics, as well as 37 other breeds. Any other breeds will show up as unidentifiable, so you should at least be able to ascetain whether your dog is a purbred Shih Tzu.

Thaks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelley

Hi, I adopted a mix breed and was told she is Border Collie / blue Healer. I know what the 2 breeds look like. My dog looks nothing like them. she has some markings of a Border Collie but, she has short black and white hair. Her sides are lighter. Her head and nose look like a pit bull. So everyone tell's me. She is the smartest sweetest dog I've ever owned. I'd love to know what she is. I think she could be part Lab. We are the 3rd owners she was adopted and returned. Can a DNA give me this information.

Hi Mike, if your dog's DNA is composed of one or more of the 30+ breeds the test is currently designed to detect, then the test could be quite useful. I suggest you visit Metamorphix directly through the link provided above to take a look at their breed list. This should help you decide whether it's worth doing the test.

Thanks for your question, and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Mike

I have been involved in a Rare Breed Toy dog since 1992. A closed stud book was established in the same year. Numberous dogs have been tested in the past few months under your program, and the results were very disturbing to our group of long time devoted breeders, showing Dalmation, Shih-Tzu, Chihuahua, etc. I have frowned upon breeders doing this testing because our Rare Breed does not have an an individual "breed" protocal established, with you or any other DNA lab. What is your imput. Do you agree with me that out individual breed needs to establish markers for our Rare Breed, to receive an accure DNA test results. Do you also agree that it is not cost effective for our breeders to continue testing for " Breeds". Do you also agree that it is impossible to give any degree of accuracy in the test results when our breed has not had it's own breed established. Any other comments are welcome.

I personally have not chosen to submit tests until our breed had had it's own markers established by an accredited DNA lab.

Thanks

Hi Donna,

Just to be clear, LoveToKnow doesn't have anything to do with the DNA testing. This is simply an article about the technology. That said, I do agree with you that the markers need to be established for a particular breed in order for the DNA test to be truly useful. Without that, the test can only show any recognizable breeds that might turn up in the DNA sample. I recommend you contact the company that performed your DNA tests directly. We have provided links to the two major companies at the end of the article above. I hope they can give you greater clarification of the testing results your group has received.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Donna

I was wondering if you would be able to dna testing with dog hair or a toenail. Please let me know because if possible I would like to have it tested. Thank you, Lisa

Hi Lisa,

This is a great question. If they can do it with humans, they can probably do it with dogs. However, the current tests available used saliva and skin cells gathered from inside the dog's mouth. This method was developed as a less expensive alternative to other forms of DNA testing.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Lisa

I adopted a German Shepherd Dog about 3 yrs ago and i always wondered about her blood line and where she came from. With this DNA test would it tell me from what blood line she came from and maybe find out what her backround would be..

Hi Ursula,

The test could certainly tell you if she was purebred, but the only way you might be able to trace her bloodline with the results is if her parents have been tested and those records can be accessed. I'm not sure this is possible, but you could try contacting Metamorphix through the link on this page to see what they say. It may turn out to be a matter of confidentiality.

Thanks for your question and best of luck with your search.

-- Contributed by: Ursula

Hi Steven,

That's an interesting question. As I understand it, the test can only reveal certain dog breeds at this time, but I believe the company is working to expand that list. You might want to visit one of the websites listed above to see if they have been able to identify DNA markers for any wild canines yet.

Good luck in your search.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Will the DNA test only show results of dogs under the AKC breeds, or will it tell me if my dog is part coyote or something else? Thanks, SW

-- Contributed by: steven

Hi Roberta,

If you look above under the heading "Order a Test", you'll find direct links to two companies that offer the DNA tests. You can check them both out to see which one will best serve your needs. Be sure to let us know what you think of the test.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Can you please tell me how I can purchase a DNA testing kit for my lovable mutt?

Thanks, Roberta Hennelly

-- Contributed by: Roberta Hennelly

Hi Ken,

Look above under the heading "External Links". You'll see the links that will take you to two different companies that manufacture and run the tests. You can order the test directly from one of those websites.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

How do i go about ordering the DNA test kit for dogs?

-- Contributed by: Ken Camara

According to MetaMorphix, the test will reveal the breeds in your dog's immediate background if they are one of the breeds that have had their genetic markers identified.

You need to contact the company directly through their link provided above. The price range given is the average being charged by several different companies.

For more info, check out this month's exclusive interview: Dog DNA Breed Test.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i know my dogs father was a boxer but not sure what the mother is b/c they said we couldnt see her and they nver gave us the papers on him.. so would this test even help to determind wehat he is due to the fact his father was a full boxer. and how do i order the kit and why is the price 35.00 up to 65.00...

-- Contributed by: chasta

Sorry Richard,

You need to click on the link for Metamorphix and order it directly from them.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Please send me a kit to have my dog dna tested. It is a mixed breed. Can you determine the majority of its line.

Thank You.

-- Contributed by: Richard A. Raposa

Hi Nancy,

As I understand it, the testing isn't sophisticated enough to tell you what's in your own dog's health future. It only indicates the breeds in his immediate background. You can take that info to see what, if any, congenital conditions are specific to those breeds. Even then, it doesn't necessarily mean your dog will become ill. Think of it as a heads up on things to watch for.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Deanne,

Check out the link to Metamorphix. They are the company that claims to be able to identify breeds.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a mixed breed.... would like to know the identity of my 8 yrs old Asian mix. But I also would like to know about possible diseases he may have in the future. Thanks, Nanci

-- Contributed by: Nancy Jagielski-Bazzell

Your web-site indicates that one could get a dna test that would tell the breeds in a mixed breed dog and yet when I called Veterinary Diagnostics Center to order one they told me this is not the case, that there is not test for that now. Only to confirm a parent with tests from both puppy and parents. I am really confused which is it? Please explain. I have a puppy from the Baja that I am curious to know what she is, no clue Deanne

-- Contributed by: deanne sabeck
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