Dog DNA Tests, Testing to Learn the Breed of Your Canine

Archive for the ‘Dog DNA Testing’ Category

Are well-established dog breeds like the German Shepherd or the Labrador Retriever genetically superior to the humble mutt or is this merely an old wives’ tale (myth)! So the question of the day is "What’s In A Breed?"

Ever noticed the sniffy hauteur with which purebred dog owners appraise mixed breed dogs? You can almost see them flinch as their condescending eye roves across the form of the objectionable mutt while they grudgingly concede that perhaps their refined canine specimen and that pollutant mutt do indeed belong to the same species! In fact you need only trawl various online dog forums to experience firsthand just how contentious the issue of mutt versus purebred really is. Yet much as purebred dog owners may put down the humble mutt or mixed breed dog the strange thing is:

Purebred Dogs Are Merely Strain-Refined Mutts!

Doberman Pinscher: The Doberman Pinscher dog breed was the brainchild of door-to-door tax collector Herr Louis Doberman. Whether Herr Doberman developed this dog breed as enforcer or protector has never been truly established but one aspect that is not in contention is the fact that his was an unenviable profession! It is well documented that since biblical times the tax collector has been much reviled; even today the tax collector is the subject of scorn and disgust. If you truly want to belabor the point, the next time you are at a social gathering, casually mention that you work for the IRS and watch the little-witnessed phenomenon of how so many can disappear so quickly!

However back to Herr Doberman and his dangerous profession; tired of being pushed about and quite possibly being set upon by irate tax payers, poor Herr Doberman came up with the novel yet economic solution of developing a dog breed that would be both enforcer and protector! The "ingredients" for his new dog breed included the following: Rottweiler; German Pinscher; Greyhound and the Manchester Terrier. Though some wishful fanciers contend that the German Shepherd dog was also involved in the genetic compilation of the Doberman Pinscher, this is highly unlikely since the development of the German Shepherd occurred a little later than that of the Doberman Pinscher.

The early form of the Doberman Pinscher dog was not the sleek lean machine that epitomizes the breed today, but it was a heavier-boned dog somewhat more similar in appearance to the Rottweiler dog breed. Subsequent tweaks by later breeders eventually resulted with the sleek contemporary dog that defines the modern Doberman Pinscher. The point of note here is that the Doberman Pinscher, a well-known dog breed that is officially recognized by countless of International Kennels such as the AKC, was a crossbreed developed from various other dog breeds before it attained the holy-grail status of purebred!

Verdict: The Doberman Pinscher, like all the other so-called purebred dogs is nothing more than a strain refined mutt. Sniff! What can I say…these pesky mongrels are everywhere, most of them disguising themselves as well-established purebreds!

Designer/Hybrid Dogs

Though the Labradoodle is widely accredited as the crossbreed dog that set the whole designer-dog movement rolling along at a good clip, the truth of the matter is that other well established crossbreeds already existed. One such crossbreed or so-called designer dog is the Cockerpoo (Cockapoo), a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle. The Cockerpoo has been in existence since the 1960s (in contrast to the Labradoodle which was developed in the 1980s). The Cockerpoo is currently so well established in North America that there is a strong movement to consolidate a breeding standard.

These days "Oodles" or "Poos" (Poodle hybrids) are practically everywhere in North America for the simple reason they translate into mega bucks. Though the Labradoodle (perhaps the best known Poodle derivative) was developed with a utilitarian purpose in mind, most designer dogs have no other function than to propel a burgeoning and lucrative market for these hybrid dogs; as it so happens, backyard breeders very quickly recognized the enormous profits to be had from designer dogs.

To date the designer dog market is flourishing, strong evidence that people are quite willing to shell out mega bucks so as to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd. And perhaps you’ve noticed, nobody refers to these mutts as well…mutts, for the simple reason crossbreeds do not satisfy people’s sniff factor! (Sniff Factor defines the human tendency to snobbishness; in earlier times the upper classes were predisposed to strolling about with their noses pointed skywards as an expression of their obvious class superiority (as though reaching for air unpolluted by the masses!) Calling a mongrel a designer dog is certain to guarantee a far better price than if the animal were addressed as a crossbreed.

The unfortunate fallout of this whole designer dog issue, is that there’re now many more dogs in shelters and rescues, as well as dogs being euthanized, because of unethical breeders, who without regard to genetics, breed thousands of these dogs every year in a bid to capitalize on the public’s ignorance and insatiable appetite for "exclusive" or "limited" dogs.

So how did this designer dog brouhaha really begin?

Good Intentions Open Pandora’s Box

Sometime during the 1980s, Wally Conron, the breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia embarked on a quest to develop a non-allergenic guide dog for a visually impaired client whose husband happened to be allergic to common dog fur. Conron settled on the standard Poodle as the ideal cross with the already established Labradors in use at their center, for the simple fact that the Poodle,s as a highly trainable working dog with tightly curled coat, constituted a the best-fit match.

After two years of trials including 33 successive disappointment runs, Wally Conron hit pay dirt! A cross mating between one of their most prized Labradors and a Poodle specimen resulted in a litter of 3 non-allergenic puppies. Sultan the 1st ever Labradoodle destined for guide-dog greatness was introduced to his new owner amidst great fanfare. The bonding was a great success and Conron was confident that the remaining two puppies would quickly be snapped up; after all, the center at which he worked had a 6-month backlog of requests from people hoping to foster a dog. But he miscalculated; nobody it seemed wanted a dog that was associated with the dirty word crossbreed.

As eight weeks rolled by, the remaining two pups still hadn’t found homes and the critical-period window in which they needed to bond with a new owner and thus become successful guide dogs was closing fast. Out of sheer frustration Wally Conron decided to call his new dog breed the Labradoodle and thenceforth stopped referring to them as crossbreeds. That was the eureka moment he had been waiting for (evidence of the sniff factor in play again)!

Within weeks, requests for this new "miracle dog" inundated the center…the rest as the saying goes, was history! Other than the Labradoodle, few designer dogs have been developed for utilitarian purposes and in fact for the most part new breeds are introduced for purely cosmetic purposes. Having said that though, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that some new dog breeds are currently being developed to address the all pervasive problem of genetic disease in the canine; especially in the more popular breeds.

Some other well-established crossbreeds are the Bull Boxer which is a cross between the Boxer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Bull Boxer is said to be a more affable dog, especially towards other pets, than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also reputed to be less inclined to exhibit the immature behaviorisms characteristic of the Boxer. By and large though, the substantial prevalence of the designer-dog set is to be found firmly within the realm of Poodle mixes. Such Poodle mixes usually go by names, which if not exactly flattering, are to say the least, colorful:

1. Doxiepoo (Dachshund Poodle Mix)

2. Papipoo (Papillon Poodle Mix)

3. Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever Poodle Mix)

4. Jack-A-Poo (Jack Russell Terrier Poodle Mix)

5. Irish Doodle (Irish Setter Poodle Mix) to name but a few.

Verdict: Sniff! These dogs may go under the guise of designer dog…but let’s be honest, they are no more than glorified mutts!

The Humble Yet Ubiquitous Mutt

So where does the lowly mutt fit in this picture of brave new doggy world; that is to say, other than bearing the brunt of the purebred afficionado’s scorn! Well as I have amply illustrated in the paragraphs above, all dog breeds are essentially mixed breeds even the purebreds. Purebred dogs are so entitled because over several generations they have been specifically bred for selective traits. But therein lies their Achilles’ heel or weakness. Due to such selective-trait breeding, purebred dogs have an inherently high prevalence of genetic disease.

A classic example illustrating some of the problems encountered in trait-selective breeding can be found in the history of the Dalmatian. Breeding for the sharply-defined spot trait unintentionally also led to selective breeding for an abnormal uric acid gene (case of gene linkage). The result was that the Dalmatian dog breed was dogged (no pun intended) with hereditary urine stone disease. In an attempt to rectify the problem yet retain the desired spot pattern, the Dalmatian was crossbred with various Pointer breeds (Sniff! Sniff! What did I tell you…all mutts the lot of them!).

Conversely the lack of trait-selective breeding and a diverse gene pool in the mutt makes such dogs so much healthier and more robust than their purebred counterparts! Thus unless you’re going to develop your own dog breed, if all you’re looking for in a dog is a pet, do yourself, your pocket as well as the millions of dogs on death row a favor and adopt a dog from a shelter! Trust me, they make excellent pets. (Shelters cannot house dogs forever and each year more than 7,000,000 cats and dogs are euthanized!)

Verdict: Hmmm…the lowly mutt. At last! A dog without pretensions!

Crossbreed dogs – hybrid names
Poodles are by far the most popular breed for crossing because of the non-shedding coat – and the fun of thinking up “oodle” names for the resultant cross.

Cross breed dogs  
These are hybrid dogs that are produced in cross breeding two pure breed of dogs.

What Is A Hybrid Dog?
"Designer" dogs and "hybrid" puppies are making headlines – but do they make great pets?

Dog Genetics Testing
It’s widely believed that dogs originated over 17000 years ago; recent DNA testing and closer fossil examination is suggesting that dogs originated as far as 150000 years ago.

DNA Testing for Mixed Breed Dogs
Knowing what breeds are in your dog’s genetic makeup, might help you better care for and understand your pet.

For more information visit, Hybrid Dogs.

Technorati Tags: best dog dna test, Dog DNA Testing, mixed breed dog dna

Purebreds, you can find them in movies, in forums, web sites and even exclusively in dog shows. They are popular and are well-liked by many people and dog owners. Cross breeds also known as mutts are not so fortunate. They get little attention and are widely found in animal shelters. Why is there such a huge disparity? This article seeks to discuss that and help you learn more about pure and mixed breeds.

Pure Breeds are dogs that are well-documented and acknowledged by the public as a group with similar lineage. They are selectively bred dogs that produce a particular body type and specific behaviors that are relatively similar throughout the particular breed. In order for a dog to be recognized as a true breed, it must be proven that its parents are of the same ancestry such that they will pass on their exact temperament, characteristic and appearance – this is known as breeding true.

For people involved with professional breeding, there is a huge difference between purebreds and mutts. Some cross breeds might well be purebred, they only lack the proper paper to prove that they are so. If you are looking for a pet and have no interest in entering competitions with your dog, this might be a viable option for you and the cost is considerably lower too.

The selection process of purebreds is done very carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. During testing, should the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected as a match instead.

There are many places to get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if you want to get a purebred, it is advisable to seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.

Cross breeds in contrast are likely to have been bred out of experimentation to produce a better, stronger and healthier breed than its parents. It is also very likely that they are the results of accidents. On the whole, cross breeds are so different it is almost impossible for anyone to list down their various characteristics in details.

When it comes to the dog’s health, purebreds could encounter lesser problems because the breeder has done a good job in screening and getting the best and healthy dogs to breed. On the other hand, a relatively common issue with purebreds is that they face higher chances to inherit health problems from their parents; eye diseases that cause blindness, bone and joint disorders that cause lameness, sudden heart disease that causes early death, epilepsy, seizures, or immune system diseases, just to name a few of the over 300 genetic health defects documented in dogs.

The chances of a purebred being infected with inherited health issues is much higher due to 2 primary reasons:

1. The AKC makes it compulsory for all purebreds involve in the breeding process to be dogs that are registered with them, only then will their offspring be recognized as purebreds. This rule take off the large majority of other dogs that could have been available to breed. Because of this reason, most purebreds are bred on a close gene pool with similar ancestry. Without the introduction of new and unrelated genes in to the breed in the long run, purebred dogs suffer from "loss of genetic diversity," which inevitably leads to dogs with inherited health problems.

2. There are instances where certain breeders are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal. This is especially true of those breeders who do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding thereby producing inferior dogs.

To avoid getting a dog with inherited health problems, you should always look for responsible breeders who make their dogs go through medical tests as proof of good health. Some of the health tests are – Cardiac test to detect certain heart diseases, Ophthalmic test to determine the presence of PRA and cataracts, X-rays to detect hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Bear in mind that not all tests are required as certain inherited health problems are present in certain breeds only.

Mixed bred dogs on the other hand are surprising generally healthier than purebreds. Cross breeds tend to enjoy better health and vigor because of their wide range of genes diversity. The main reason is because the parents’ genes are by and large not related, it is highly unlikely for the puppy to inherit bad genes that are not presented in both parents. It is usually the pairing up of the same defective genes that cause inherited health problems to occur.

Some dog owners has a tendency to like purebreds more than cross breeds. The primary reason is that it carries a certain prestige with it, often glamorized by television, movies and breeders. They are also constantly featured at dog shows where mixed dogs are not allowed to compete in without a compelling reason.

These incidents led the public to believe that the cross breeds are inferior dogs when compare to the purebreds, therefore they create lesser interests and awareness from the public. It is a shame to see most of them being round up frequently and left to die in animal shelters.

To conclude, purebreds will give you predictable characteristics that you are looking for in a dog, but suffer from higher potential for genetic defects and inherited health problems.

Cross breeds are more likely to be healthier on the whole, nevertheless, you have to accept the fact that your dog has the chance to grow up into something that is not predictable, including his appearance and temperament. The only option is to make smart educated guesses by observing its parents closely. Nevertheless, you also know that your dog is truly unique and one of its kind.

To bring a dog into your life is a long commitment and possibly a life changing decision. You should avoid making a decision to get a puppy solely on the fact if it is pure breed or not. In fact, the more important aspect is to consider getting a dog breed that suits your lifestyle and family.

 
Seven Reasons to Adopt a Mixed Breed Dog
Are you looking for a new dog? Here are seven reasons why you should adopt a mixed breed dog.

Wisdom Panel(TM) MX Helps Mixed Breed Dogs Tell Their Tale
Roughly half of all dogs in the United States are mixed breed

CrossbreedDNA Test Now Available
Wisdom Panel MX realizes that every dog has an important tale to tell, offers mixed breed dog owners the unique opportunity.

How Can I Tell If A Mixed Breed Dog Will Have Floppy Ears
Knowing what breeds are in your dog’s genetic makeup, might help you better care for and understand your pet.

Celebrate Mixed Breeds!
Good news for all of us who have mixed breed dogs.

Technorati Tags: dna dog breed identification, Dog DNA Test

Dogs are considered as man’s best friend. If one decides to get a dog for a pet, one can choose either a specific breed otherwise known as pure bred or choose one that is a mixed breed or a mutt. There is not that much difference between dogs that are pure or mixed. One simply came from parents of the same breed while the other came from a family of two different breeds.

Choosing a dog depends on many things. The size of your home, how much exercise is needed, does it shed often or if you want a gentle or playful companion.

Deciding to own one whether it is big or small involves a lot of responsibility. It is not just about feeding it but includes other chores such as grooming, watching its health and diet, cleaning up after it and most importantly, giving it some tender loving care. There are many places one can get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if one wants to get a pure bred animal, one must seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.

Breeding done in pure bred dogs is done carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. If in testing, the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected to match with the other dog.

Since the demand for the breeder’s pure bred dogs are well sought after due to the selective nature of the breeding practices, the newborn pups will still have to be raised with the breeder and will only be released when a number of pre-screened homes have been found. This is done for the welfare of the select few of owners and to control population growth.

Reputable breeders have certain requirements that one must have before qualifying as a potential dog owner. These are usually in the form of written contracts or guarantees with a spay or neuter requirement that limits the registration of the puppies. The person who wants a dog must also have a secured backyard and attend certain classes such a puppy kindergarten to be familiar with the challenges one will face come the time the dog has been given. This shows that pure bred dogs are well taken cared off from pregnancy till after birth.

Mixed breeds on the other hand or mutts as people call them could have been done out of experimentation to produce a breed which could be better and stronger than the two breeds. Most likely, these were the results of accidents. This is the reason why dogs of mixed breeds just like pure breds must be neutered since millions of dogs every year that are not wanted by people die in animal shelters.

Health wise, pure bred dogs that come from a line of strong parents won’t have problems. This is because breeders screen the pair before the process happens. There have been instances that certain breeders especially those dealing with pure breds do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding which produces inferior dogs and do this because these people are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal.

Mixed bred dogs on the other hand will fall somewhere in the middle since proper screening was poorly done or never carried out. Certain dogs carry varied deficiencies common to the breed and mixing the two will just pass on to the mixed breed.

Some people prefer pure bred dogs than mixed bred ones. The primary reason is that it is easier to sell and carries a certain prestige with it. Mixed bred dogs are seen as inferior and since no one is interested, most of these are rounded up and die in an animal shelter.

Pure bred dogs are seen as a higher class which is why they are always featured at dog shows. Mixed dogs due to certain rules are not allowed to join. The reasoning given has not been that clear which is why it is still being contested by mixed breed owners.

 
Canine Health and Genetic Testing
As an example, there are certain health conditions in Golden Retrivers, Poodles and Labradors which can be passed from parent to puppy in the genetic material.

Screening Dogs for Inherited Health Problems: Know About Breed 
Testing is Essential. For some problems, there are DNA tests that can reveal whether a dog is a carrier or will be affected later in life with a particular genetic problem.

Is My Puppy Testing Me? 
Lately, my 12 week old puppy has been growling and barking if I stare at him.

Puppy Testing
The testing went well. All the puppies passed.

By: John Samson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Visit the About Beagles website to learn about beagles puppies and miniature beagles.

Technorati Tags: dog dna tests, dog's dna breed, puppy testing

Dogs’ well-being and health can be improved when proper measures are carried out based on accurate information about your dog’s breed. Therefore, it is much easier to gather information regarding your dog’s breed as these resources can be found via bookstore outlets or internet. However, if your dog is a mixed breed, how could you find the breed of your dog? You just could not determine your dog’s breed based on the appearance of your dog.

Due to the blooming technology of DNA testing, if your dog’s DNA is sampled and send to lab for further analysis, DNA fingerprint can be obtained to unlock the secrets of your dog’s breed including invaluable health and behavioral information.

Some breeds are prone to certain diseases, for instance Doberman Pinscher – they are susceptible to von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder). Thus, extra precaution can be made if you are able to know more about your dog’s primary breed (i.e. your dog’s primary breed is Doberman Pincher) in order to avoid being infected by dog-associated diseases.

Different breeds have their own distinctive behavior. For example, German Sheppard is normally very active and they need to have regular walk and exercise in regularly basis. Keeping him at home all the time may depress him. It is much easier to ‘communicate’ with your dog if you know the temperament of your dog’s breed rather than modeling your dog to follow your orders.

The sampling procedure is totally painless as it only requires buccal swabbing on your dog’s cheek. It is normally done by the dog’s owner without the presence of veterinarian.

Introducing the Canine Heritage Breed Test

This particular dog DNA testing has improved ever since it was launched few years ago – in year 2007, DNA analysis was based on 38 breeds and now, it is based on 100 breeds.

In the end of the process, your dog will be given a Certificate of DNA Analysis that elucidates the complete information about your dog’s breed. Please take note that your dog will only have a primary breed listed if one of his parents is purebred. It is important to note that the Canine Heritage test may not be accurate for mixed breed dogs outside of North America.

Animal Planet
A recent article I read advised that, while the AKC lists 160 registered breeds at this time, so far none of the companies offering canine DNA testing have DNA from each and every breed in their database.

DNA Testing for Mixed Breed Dogs
There is a less invasive, less expensive way to test your dog’s DNA. For about $60 -$80, purchase a kit and swab.

Canine DNA Testing
Apparently, the DNA test is supposed to be able to tell you the breed of your dog.

Canine dna Test
Identify your dog dna breed with dog dna testing sample collection. Get accurate results from canine heritage breeds test’s after submitting cell sample.  

Doggy DNA Tests for the Canine Curious
I’m certain one of the tests will reveal a secret even my dog doesn’t know. What about the health-related benefits of ascertaining a dog’s breed or breeds? 

Dog DNA Breed
With biopet dog dna breed identification test kit, you can do canine dna test without a trip to the vet. Have dog breed dna results sent to your home.  

Shaggy Dog DNA Story: Genealogy, Man, Dog,  Ancestry
For $120, the Canine HeritageTM XL Breed Test can detect more than 100 breeds from DNA extracted from cheek swabs, just like ones used to test DNA in humans.

Author: J.J. Yong

Canine Heritage Breed Test has received numerous positive feedbacks from veterinarians and dog owners in accurately determining the primary breed of a dog. This particular dog DNA test is performed to assist dog owners and veterinarians develop concrete steps to protect their dogs against diseases, manage health over a lifetime and expand suitable training programs for their pet. If you are still puzzled by your dog’s breed, find more about dog DNA testing via http://dogdnabasics.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.J._Yong

Technorati Tags: canine breed dna test, dna testing for dog breeds, ratings dog breed dna tests

Surprisingly, there are handfuls of dog owners who have the wrong perception about DNA breed testing for mixed dogs. As a result, it is extremely difficult to get along with your dog as it keeps disobeying your orders. It is time to clarify the common myths that widens the gap between you and your pet.

Myth 1: Collection of your pet’s DNA were obtained from blood test

This is untrue. Basically, collection of your dog’s DNA involves painless and hazardless procedure in which means it does not require any blood samples. It only involves cheek swabbing in which the dog owner collects cheek cell from his dog by using a small brush-like DNA collection kit. Then, you will send the collection to DNA testing lab for dog breed analysis.

Myth 2: This particular breed test can track down your mixed-breed dog’s ancestors.

In this case, DNA testing is currently used as a genealogical tool to trace one’s ancestors and verify their relationship. However, breed test like these could only identify your dog’s breed based on established database and results are categorized into three main categories – Primary, Secondary and In the Mix. This particular breed test is strictly meant for mixed-breed dogs and it is not meant to use as a purebred and paternal verification test.

Myth 3: This particular test is meant for mixed-dogs from all around the world.

Unfortunately, this particular breed identification tool is sold only in the U.S. and Canada. It was developed and validated using United States dog breed populations. Breeds that are not from United States and Canada may not be represented or identified by this current breed identification tool.

 
NEW DOGGIE DNA TEST – "WHAT’S MY DOG?"
Launches a DNA-Based Mixed Breed Test for Dogs.

Shaggy Dog DNA Story: Genealogy, Man, Dog | Ancestry Magazine
But DNA testing can turn up surprises. Fretwell said his lab has found up to half dozen breeds in a single dog’s roots.

Politician demands DNA dog poop testing
DNA testing to identify the canine culprit and fine its owner.

Smiley’s supporters take action as DNA test awaited.
Once the testing has confirmed his identity the DNA sample will be held for use in any future criminal prosecution and “Smiley” will be released to WAIF.

Author: J.J. Yong

Finding out what breeds are in your dog’s genetic makeup has not only satisfied your curiosity, but given it has given you both invaluable health and behavioral information. For more information about dog DNA testing as a dog breed identification tool for mixed breed dogs, visit http://dogdnabasics.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.J._Yong

Technorati Tags: dog breed dna test, dog breed identification, Dog DNA Testing

Ever been curious about your mixed breed dog and wondered whether she’s really Corgi-Dachshund like you’ve believed all these years? Fortunately there is now a low-cost and accurate way to find out with a simple genetic test that involves just a cheek swab and a few days’ wait. No visit to your veterinarian, no blood sample. Easy.

Why Knowing Your Dog’s Breed Heritage Is Important

Why would you want to know your mixed breed dog’s makeup? Aside from just plain curiosity, knowing your dog’s "heritage" breed can help you understand health and wellness issues related to that breed. The urban myth that mixed breed dogs don’t get genetic diseases is not true. So, for example, if your dog is found to be primarily Labrador Retriever then you and your veterinarian might keep an eye out for joint-related health problems (hip dysplasia).

Another valuable benefit is that you gain a better understanding of your dog’s temperament and behavior. Every dog breed has a different overall temperament so when you discover that your gentle mixed breed is great with kids it’s because she’s primarily Golden Retriever!

The Canine Heritage Breed Test

The Canine Heritage Breed Test (http://www.canineheritage.com/) analyzes your mixed breed dog’s DNA against 38 breeds that represent about 75% of dogs. What you get back is a certificate stating, in order of genetic influence, what your dog’s primary breed, secondary, and "in the mix" breeds are. Your dog will only have a primary breed listed if one of his parents is purebred. It’s important to note that the Canine Heritage test may not be accurate for mixed breed dogs outside of North America.

The Canine Heritage Breed Test currently costs $65 plus a small amount for shipping the test kit out to you.

The Mars Wisdom Panel Test

Another similar test that will be available shortly is the Mars Wisdom Panel (http://www.whatsmydog.com/). The Wisdom Panel test requires a visit to your veterinarian and a blood sample. This test detects 130 AKC-recognized breeds and thus is more precise than the Canine Heritage test. But it is a much more expensive test and is harder to administer.

Pricing is determined by the individual veterinarian but is expected to be around $130. The Mars Wisdom Panel is slated for release July 2007, ask your veterinarian for more information.

Accuracy of Dog DNA Tests 
The Canine Heritage Breed Test makes dog DNA science simple.

German Town to Test Dog DNA to Enforce Pooper-Scooper Law
A small town in Germany is planning to perform a DNA test on every licensed dog to make it easier to enforce a pooper-scooper.

Update on Cindy’s Dog DNA Test
I encourage anybody who wants a behavior analysis of their mix to have a DNA test.DNA Your Dog!
They include a breakdown of the breeds that contribute to the tested dog’s DNA, along with personality traits and typical health concerns.

Author: Alex Krooglik

Alex Krooglik is the co-founder of Embrace Pet Insurance (our blog) based in Cleveland, Ohio. Embrace Pet Insurance was founded in 2004 and its mission is to convince responsible pet parents that pet insurance can and should be an integral part of maintaining every pet’s good health. Alex is pet parent to a cheeky black kitten rescued from the Geauga Humane Society.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Krooglik

Technorati Tags: dna testing for dogs and cost, dog breed dna test, dog breed identification

It is not nice to play guessing game on your dog’s breed. Lack of information about your dog’s breed leads your dog to common misbehavior like howling, chewing, aggression and so on and so forth. Your dog might look like one of a common pedigree, but your dog doesn’t behave like one of them. As a result, you almost lose your patience on your dog’s temperament and behavior because your dog’s misbehavior is still unresolved.

Scientifically, your dog’s health and behavior patterns are corresponding to your dog’s breed. This information can be easily obtained via DNA test analysis in which takes only 4-6 weeks to complete. Unfortunately, there are some dogs owners do not know about this DNA technology that able to unveil their dog’s "heritage" breeds.

Basically, you are clueless about your dog’s breed and often annoyed by your neighbors, friends or families when they asked about the actual breed of your dog. It feels extremely regretful when you do not completely understand your dog’s breed and temperament even though you have expressed unconditional love and affection for your dog in which you have treated your dog as your best friend or as part of your family member.

We might have some expectations or sets of rules for your dog and these could lead you to huge disappointment. For example, without knowing that your dog’s breed is primarily Pointer, he or she regularly mess up with fences and barking enormously at home regardless day or night in which troubles all the time. In fact, your dog is in dire need of a walk as Pointer breed is a galloping breed and requires regular exercise. Therefore, this hunting dog breed is normally kept in a securely fenced yard.

If your dog’s breed is primarily Labrador Retriever, you and your veterinarian can set up a healthy diet for your dog as these breed can easily become obese and tend to get other allergic reactions. The most common inherited disorder for Labrador is hips and elbow dysplasia and also knee problems. These disorders can be prevented if you are able to identify your dog’s primary breed before these symptoms appear. Their well-being can be maintained if they are provided with good medical care and feeding.

Author: J.J. Yong

Being a dog owner has to be educated with proper knowledge in order to improve your dog’s well-being and behavior. These can be easily done if your mixed-breed dog DNA is obtained and sent for DNA analysis via Canine Heritage Breed Test. This breed identification tool is painless in which involves only quick cheek swab. For more information about dog DNA testing, visit http://dogdnabasics.com

 Most Popular Dog Breeds
Mixed breeds and mutts are popular.

Dog Breed of the Week: The Mutt
Mixed breed dog: Maybe it is cheating to feature mixed-breed dogs this week, since mutts are actually not purebred dogs.

Obama Family Picks Their Dog Breed

Obama’s Dog – Portuguese Water Dog Breed Profile.
Here is the profile of a Portuguese Water Dog, which have been chosen to be the first dog of USA by Obama. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.J._Yong

Technorati Tags: canine dna identification, dna testing dog breed, puppy dog dna tests

Regarding dog dna testing, I never cease to ponder in fascination the scientific advances of the late 20th Century.

Do you ever stop to compare the way life was twenty years ago and what it’s like now? Watch Seinfeld, for example: no cell phones!
Right now, my mind is on DNA testing. A (very) distant cousin decided he is too old (50s) to start a family the normal way and chose to prey on a young, desperate and vulnerable – and by default dishonest and driven by ulterior motives – woman from the old country in Eastern Europe.

He told her from the get-go he wants a child. She appeared to have gotten pregnant the minute she stepped off the boat, pardon, plane, and the baby was born quite prematurely, if you get my meaning. You see, my unfortunate (very distant!) relative had overindulged in imbibing during his younger years, and although he changed his habits as he grew older, his masculine might (based on past girlfriends’ testimony – gosh, we’re awful! (lashes aflutter)) was affected irreparably. Ok, I hear whistles, catcalls, and urges to get back to DNA testing.

I promise, I am not indulging in idle gossiping, there is a point to all this. Long story short, even in his blissfully narcissistic state, the man’s gotta wonder! He was afraid to offend her, so he did not inform his wife that he requested DNA testing. Luckily, she spoke no English, ’so there you go!’[1]

Again, there is a flipside here: the little boy turned out to be his! Way to go, cuz! It appears, having this knowledge awakened his heretofore unexplored capacity for love and responsibility (to a degree, let’s not get carried away now). This whole affair upsets me on many levels, and I don’t envy the poor kid born under these circumstances. But for better or for worse, he will never have to doubt who is responsible for not giving him enough, thanks to DNA testing.

We tend to take DNA testing for granted by now, but can you imagine (or recall) what life was like before it became available? As recently as the 80s, women and children had no access to such iron-clad proof for doubtful and/or delinquent fathers. On the flipside, DNA testing protects men from being victimized by women trying to take advantage of their trust.

First of, exactly what is DNA and what does testing it entail? Most of us have a vague idea, but few have time to find out more. Well, I have done the work for all of us. Imagine my joy when I found "DNA Testing: An Introduction for Non-Scientists. An Illustrated Explanation by Donald E. Riley, Ph.D. from the University of Washington". [2]

The good doctor worries: "The explanation of DNA testing that follows is intended as an introduction to the subject for those who may have limited backgrounds in biological science. While basically accurate, this explanation involves liberal use of illustration and, in some cases, oversimplification. Although intended to be informative, this is brief and incomplete explanation of a complex subject. The author suggests consulting the scientific literature for more rigorous details and alternative views." I am letting you know this because you may want to seek further in-depth, more scientifically-based information. In that case, you are on your own. I do suggest that you read more of Dr. Riley’s publication because there is a lot of very detailed information explaining the types and processes of DNA testing.

As for me, the first several passages were, in fact, very informative and sort of cleared the fog in my head where my understanding of DNA was located. However, as soon as his work went deeper into the science of various types of tests… well, the doctor lost me. I think, he failed to reach and draw in even a curious non-scientist. Here’s what I think most of us need to know:
"DNA explained in easy terms

DNA is material that governs inheritance of eye color, hair color, stature, bone density and many other human and animal traits. DNA is a long, but narrow string-like object. A one foot long string or strand of DNA is normally packed into a space roughly equal to a cube 1/millionth of an inch on a side. This is possible only because DNA is a very thin string.

Our body’s cells each contain a complete sample of our DNA. One cell is roughly equal in size to the cube described in the previous paragraph. There are muscle cells, brain cells, liver cells, blood cells, sperm cells and others. Basically, every part of the body is made up of these tiny cells and each contains a sample or complement of DNA identical to that of every other cell within a given person. There are a few exceptions. For example, our red blood cells lack DNA. Blood itself can be typed because of the DNA contained in our white blood cells."

This really answers some questions, don’t you think? One thing’s for sure: if you are ever in a position of uncertainty, do everyone involved a favor, especially your child, set aside any guilt and prejudices, and take advantage of the miracle of modern technology: a DNA test.

About the Author: Helena Lofgren is a Web content specialist for Innuity, Inc. in Seattle, Washington. If you are looking for more practical sources to assist you with DNA testing, such as AABB DNA paternity, siblingship, and y-chromosome testing services for legal and personal purposes, visit GeneTree.

Technorati Tags: animal breeds, animal dna testing process, animal dna traits

Various contentions have been put forward in the dog world by some, (eg those against mixed dog breeds), that ‘hybrid vigor’ is allegedly not possible (for example) when breeding mixed breeds such as Labradoodles (ie mixed breeding of purebred Labradors and Poodles) as it is alleged that hybrid vigor is only possible with mixed breeding of unrelated animals (eg horse and donkey). However, that is not correct, and the benefits and nature of hybrid vigour or heterosis in mixed breeds such as Labradoodles has been known of some some time. It should be noted that it is well regarded and recognised that hybrid vigour or heterosis effect is ’strongest’ or ‘highest’ in the first generation of progeny produced from the crossing of the two purebred breeds, such as in Labradoodles. That is, when the two parents are purebred (eg Labrador Retriever and Poodle) and are crossbred, their progeny or offspring have the most hybrid vigour or heterosis effect. And this first generation of progeny or offspring are commonly referred to as the F1. And the next generation F2, etc, etc. If, for example, you were to then breed an F1 progeny to another F1 progeny, then the hybrid vigour or heterosis in the progency or offpsring produced would be significantly lower than in the F1 generation. And the further down the generations you continue (eg F2, F3, etc), the hybrid vigour or heterosis continues to diminish to the extent that it is insignificant. Some breeders, for example, of mixed dog breeds such as Labradoodles, even further minimise hybrid vigour or heterosis by ‘back breeding’. For example, they may breed an F1, F2, etc back to one of the original purebred breeds (eg Poodle). And may even deliberately continue this practice, in attempts to ’strengthen’ a desired characteristic in the offspring or progeny (eg the soft curly coat of the Poodle). However, not only would this significantly reduce and/or remove the hybrid vigour or heterosis (which is one of the main advantages of mixed dog breeds such as Labradoodles), but it would be producing offpsring or progeny which are basically just more and more Poodle, and less and less Labrador Retriever. And if that is what is truly desired, then why not just breed Poodles in the first instance? Rather than creating a mixed breed (eg Labradoodles), which initially has significant benefits from the hybrid vigour or heterosis, but which is gradually reduced or removed through the back-breeding etc? I have provided various extracts, links etc below that relate to hybrids, and to hybrid vigour or heterosis. And hope that these may assist with the understanding etc of hybrid vigour or heterosis. Firstly, in a New Zealand government publication(1): "What is a hybrid? A hybrid is an organism resulting from a cross between genetically different parents. Hybrids can arise from crosses between closely related species (interspecific hybrids) or by crosses between different types (subspecies, varieties, cultivars) within a species (intraspecific hybrids). Hybridisation occurs naturally, but it is also widely used in selective breeding programmes for both plants and animals. The mule is an interspecific hybrid between the horse and the donkey, bred to combine some of the favourable characteristics of each parent. Intraspecific hybrids often show ‘hybrid vigour’ (heterosis), growing more vigorously and yielding more than in-bredlines." Hence, mixed dog breeds such as Labradoodles are ‘intraspecific hybrids’ (ie are within species breeding) and do show hybrid vigor or heterosis. In an article titled ‘Heterosis Effect, Hybrid dogs’,(2) it states: "Heterosis effect results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic disease. It is well known in all domestic animal breedings, hybrids 50%-50% mixes of two different breeds will raise the chances of having less genetic diseases because all doubling of detrimental effects will stop in the first generation. The genetic term for this is HETEROSIS EFFECT. This effect often gives non-related individuals stronger descendants than inbreeds." "Once one goes beyond first generation purebred to purebred, you loose the heterosis effect, which is the goal for most hybrid breeders." A noteworthy extract from ‘Principles of Genetics I’, D.H. "Denny" Crews, Jr., Ph.D., P.A.S.; Breeding and Genetics Section, LSU Department of Animal Science, Baton Rouge(3), states: "Mating of animals which are not alike in their pedigree or that are not related are those which will generally exhibit higher levels of hybrid vigor. Closely related animals do not exhibit high levels of heterosis. " Also noteworthy is the extract from ‘Heterosis and Outbreeding Depression in Interpopulation Crosses Spanning a Wide Range of Divergence’, Suzanne Edmands, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, (4), which states: "Relative to parentals, F1 hybrids showed a trend toward increased fitness, with no correspondence with population divergence, and a decrease in variance, which in some cases correlated with population divergence. In sharp contrast, F2 hybrids had a decrease in fitness and an increase in variance that both corresponded to population divergence." From a United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments Cooperating: "The highest level of hybrid vigor is obtained from F1’s, the first cross of unrelated populations." "Hybrid Vigor – An increase in the performance of crossbred animals over that of purebreds, also known as heterosis." From a transcript of the Senate of Australia(5): "veterinarians recognize the concept of hybrid vigor,’ especially in first generation hybrids" In New Zealand, it was reported that keynote speakers at a series of Lincoln University Animal Industry workshops(6) indicated that: "Another important but often forgotten principle is what happens when you interbreed the first cross (F1) progeny. In essence if you breed (F1) sires and dams together, there will be less hybrid vigour in the progeny. Like wise hybrid vigour also drops if you breed back to either of the parent breeds." From a report by the Australian Government’s CSIRO(7): "The benefits of hybrid vigor only appear in crossbred animals that have parents of completely different breeds." From MSN encarta online: ‘hybrid vigor improved traits resulting from crossbreeding: the increased growth, disease resistance, or fertility seen in hybrid species.’ From Encylopedia Brittanica online: ‘Increase in such characteristics as size, growth rate, fertility, and yield of a hybrid organism over those of its parents.’ ‘Plant and animal breeders exploit heterosis by mating two different purebred lines that have desirable traits. The first-generation offspring generally show, in greater measure, the desired characteristics of both parents. Since this vigour may decrease if the hybrids are actually mated together, the parental lines must be maintained and crossed for each new crop or group desired.’ From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: ‘heterosis the marked vigor or capacity for growth often exhibited by crossbred animals or plants — called also hybrid vigor’ From Britannica online (8): ‘heterosis’ "also called hybrid vigour, the increase in such characteristics as size, growth rate, fertility, and yield of a hybrid organism over those of its parents. Plant and animal breeders exploit heterosis by mating two different pure-bred lines that have certain desirable traits. The first-generation offspring generally show, in greater measure, the desired characteristics of both parents." Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds. Hybrid dogs are the result of controlled cross-breeding. Hybrid Dogs: Having hybrid dogs, also called designer dogs, is one of the hottest trends among canine lovers nowadays. Bibliography: 1.http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/resources/publications/pdfs/ER-IS-03-01.pdf 2.http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/heterosiseffect%20.htm 3.http://www.continentalkennelclub.com/Articles.aspx?ArticleNum=38 4.Journal ‘Evolution’, Vol. 53, No. 6 (Dec., 1999) , pp. 1757-1768 5.http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/pubs/occa_lect/transcripts/280203.pdf 6.http://www.country-wide.co.nz/article/449.html 7.http://www.csiro.au/proprietaryDocuments/BreedMeans.pdf 8.http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9040306 By: Jim Blayney Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com The Author has been involved with dogs almost all of his life, to different extents and in many different ways. From his first mixed-breed dog as a pet when he was a child, through to the use of dogs for guarding/security, bomb detection, drug detection, etc. Later, he has also been involved with dog breeding for many years, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs. See www.labradoodles-australia.com for various details relating to Labradoodles.

Technorati Tags: canine dna tests for hybrid vigor, Dog DNA Testing

 Genetic analysis is gaining popularity quickly and a genetic testing resource as well as information is available widely on the internet, in magazines, as well as in libraries.

Advances in science are finding many uses in the field of health, forensics, and genealogy. While a few years ago genetic testing or DNA testing was limited to governmental and research institutions today any individual can approach a laboratory and get DNA tests done.

Information on DNA testing as well as access to laboratories is available on the internet and people can find resources that are most convenient for them.

DNA or genetic testing has many uses:

1. In archeology DNA tests help record genetic codes and sequences of life on earth many centuries ago. This creates a data base that can be used as a ready reference.

2. Genetic testing is used to determine the paternity of a child . This helps authorities solve legal problems and settle any tussles.

3. DNA testing can be used to create a family tree or genealogical chart. Through genetic data bases one can trace lost relatives or find ancestors. Since the Y chromosome tends to remain unchanged for generations people can use DNA testing to establish ancestral lines.

4. Prenatal genetic tests help doctors determine whether or not the unborn fetus will have certain incurable health problems.

5. DNA tests are also used to help solve murders and other crimes. Often elusive criminals leave a DNA imprint at the scene of crime and testing helps catch them. In recent years many unsolved mysteries have been solved due to new ways of analysis.

6. DNA testing finds great use in the health field as DNA sometimes is the cause of rare medical conditions or heritable diseases.

7. Genetic testing is used in healths checks like that of certain cancers the tests help determine the presence of viruses or cells that have mutated.

8. DNA tests are often used to reunite lost siblings or families. The genetics of a person leaves an indelible mark and this is used by police and authorities as well as individuals to confirm relationships.

9. DNA tests on new species or on material from outer space help scientists and researchers determine the origins of a species and where they stand with reference to known living forms.

As advancements in DNA research have occurred, DNA testing gets more and more advanced to include: genetic fingerprinting, pupil recognition, creation of records of pure breeds, and more. DNA tests are today affordable and cost between USD 100-400 a test. And the conveniences are numerous; a DNA test kit can be ordered through mail order or using the internet. Laboratories all over the world conduct the testing and send the report back by mail.

Information on genetic testing and is advantages and uses is available all over the internet and those who are keen on getting a test done can do so easily using the internet and safe payment gateways.

The War on Dog Breeders
They contribute blood, cell samples from their own animals to help with DNA and genome studies.

DNA Testing – Pet Forums
Dog breeding issues regarding the mating process, pregnancy issues.

Genetic Link Between Lou Gehrig’s Disease and Dog Disease Found.
Discovery will pave the way for DNA tests that will aid dog breeders in avoiding DM in the future.”

By: MatthewPawlina

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Matthew Pawlina is a writer for DNA Testing , the premier website to find, free DNA test, DNA test, DNA paternity test, DNA test kit, cheap DNA paternity test, cheap DNA test, DNA test result and many more.

Technorati Tags: dna testing for dogs and cats, testing for purebreed status