Mixed breed dogs are often unique in their physical characteristics and quirky personalities. Dog owners frequently adopt mixed breed pets from shelters that may not be able to offer any clues to the animal's background. Knowing more about the breeds making up the pet can give curious pet owners some idea of what to expect from their furry family member.
DNA Test for Dogs
There are several hundred breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Each breed has different physical and behavioral characteristics which make up their personality. Some breeds like Border Collies are high energy dogs that require a lot of exercise and a job that keeps them occupied. There are also health considerations and particular physical problems that are associated with specific breeds. For example, golden retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia while dachshunds may have back problems. Knowing more about what breeds make up a mixed breed dog can give helpful clues to approaching training and care of the animal, including nutritional needs for specific types of dogs.
Home Test Kits for Dogs
There are many doggy genetic test kits available online. They range in price from about $50 to $100 per test. Test labs have a database that contains genetic profiles of common purebred dogs. Most genetic testing kits offer comparisons to between 60 and 100 different breeds of dogs. DNA test results will show the percentages of a particular breed's DNA that is found in the animal being tested. Most mixed breed dogs will have less than 75% of a specific breed's DNA unless one of their parents was a purebred dog.
How to Collect a Dog DNA Sample
Pet owners pay for a DNA test kit online that is mailed to their home. A prescription from a veterinarian is not required. Testing is simple and painless for the dog. The owner takes a cheek swab from the dog by rubbing a cotton swab along the inside of the dog's cheek for approximately ten seconds. The swab is then mailed back to the testing company. Most test labs return the DNA ancestry results in about two weeks to six weeks.
Where to Buy Dog DNA Test Kits
Many websites offer these canine test kits. Here are just a few:
- www.muttmart.com
- www.dnabreedid.com
- www.canineheritage.com
- www.wisdompanel.com
- www.petstreetmall.com
These kits may help to answer many behavioral and health questions for pet owners once the breed makeup is determined. This also can answer questions for curious dog lovers who just want to know the origins of their pet's physical characteristics.
Melissa Murfin - Melissa is a physician assistant in endocrinology with a further specialization in thyroid and parathyroid disorders. She is also a ...
