“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“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…<\/p>\n