Should I Use a Dog DNA Test?
“What breed is he?” Unless you purchased from a breeder, you can take a guess, based on markings, size, personality, fur length and texture, and lots of other clues what your dog’s ancestry might be. With a simple swipe of a cotton swab, you can find out so much more about your dog.
How Does It Work?
If your dog is not keen on getting his mouth swabbed, try bribing him with a good treat. Do not reward with the treat until after swabbing, as it could distort the results. Once you send your dog’s sample in, it gets compared to the company’s database of DNA samples. You will receive your results via email either as an attachment or link to your pup’s portal.
Breed Breakdowns
Finding out your dog’s breed makeup is designed not only to help you accurately answer the question of what he is, but also give you an insight into your dog’s personality traits and potential health issues.
Breed identification can help you in situations such as training, for instance with Beagles who are highly food motivated. Herding dogs need extra exercise, both physically and mentally, to keep them happy and non-destructive. Labrador Retrievers were bred for water, so they generally love love playing in the water.
Some breeds are more susceptible to different diseases or health problems. For example, large dog breeds like German Shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia and short-nose breeds like Pugs are prone to overheating. Having their family history can help us decide if we need to be giving them supplements as preventative measures or safety precautions to take on walks or trips. Knowing where your dog’s specific history is a great aid in dietary restrictions and overall wellness. Some breeds are prone to bloating, allergies, sensitive skin, and so on.
Keep in mind that dog breed testing is still moderately new and fairly unregulated. Do not get a false sense of confidence or concern based on any breed-related findings. If you have any apprehension about your dog’s health, contact your veterinarian for recommendations on what, if any, testing or preventative measures would be helpful.
Which Test Should I Use?
There are many factors to consider when picking a DNA test kit, the two most important being the number of breeds in their database and result precision. Let us breakdown the most popular companies. Note that all prices are suggested retail.
Embark DNA Test
- Tests for 350 breeds from around the world, including dingoes, village dogs, and wolves
- Partnered with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Tested by New York Times and rated highly
- Offers online portals for results
- Retails at $129 for breed identification and $199 for breed and health identification
Wisdom Panel
- Tests for over 350 breeds
- Internal testing found breed results to be 93% accurate
- Lab is USDA-accredited
- Offers on-line portals for results
- Retails at $99.99 for breed identification with family tree and $159.99 which includes health testing
DNAmyDog
- Smaller database of breeds, but includes the most common
- More budget friendly
- Test options include:
- Breed identification – $68.99
- Breed id plus genetic age – $99.99
- Breed plus wolf (canid/hybrid) – $88.99
- Deceased dog breed – $167.00
- Allergy – $99.99
Orivet
- Marketed towards breeders and veterinarians
- Great for specific health tests
- Testing for canines and felines
- Best option for purebred testing
- Has suggested tests based on breed for common diseases, traits, and lifeplans
- Bundles tests at a major discount
- Recommends add-ons
Try making a priority list when it comes to what you are looking for in your dog’s DNA and find the plan that fits your needs and budget. As always, you can ask your vet for recommendations as well.