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

Posts Tagged ‘dog breed identification’

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

Volunteering for the Chihuahua and Small Dog Rescue has made it clear that sometimes it’s very difficult to determine what breeds have combined to make some dogs. Until recently, a guess was all that could be done.

Dog Breed Testing kits are now readily available and are more affordable than ever before.

Why is it so important to know the breeds present in a dog? Dog Breed Testing can tell you how big or small your dog might be. It might help you determine grooming for your dog. It can even determine what illnesses and diseases your dog might be prone to, due to genetics.

The most important reason is to help you determine your dog’s potential temperament. Temperament is like the character of your dog. It’s what has been handed down from generation to generation to make a breed what it is.

Temperament is why Border Collies like to herd. Temperament is why Labradors like to retrieve. Temperament helps determine if a dog is going to be good with children, or if they are going to like to running with you. It can help you understand your dog and its behavior.

We have a little 5 pound dog named Leon. He is black and tan, similar to a Doberman. We were told when we got him at 7 weeks, that he was a Chihuahua and we had no reason to think otherwise.

As he grew, we noticed that his head wasn’t as round as a Chi’s and he was rather lanky to be a pure Chihuahua.

Temperament wise, he was mostly Chihuahua, although he seemed to tolerate strangers better and he learned things very quickly. It took him only five minutes to learn the command "sit" when he was only 9 weeks old.

We thought that this was due to the fact that we took him everywhere and that we used positive training methods. As an adult, he is a very well adjusted dog and he is even registered as a therapy animal.

Everywhere we went, people would always ask what he was, even though Chihuahua owners always knew he was a Chi. Most people focused on his coloring and guessed he was a Miniature Pinscher.

When we noticed an advertisement for a Dog Breed Testing Kit, just had to see for ourselves what genetics had made this wonderful dog.

The kit came in the mail and was self explanatory. There are levels to each breed present that make up Leon and they will be indicated in descending order. For instance, Level One is any breed that is 75% or more present in Leon, Level Two is any breed or breeds that is 37%-74% present in Leon all the way down to Level Four.

We were sure that he is mostly Chihuahua, but very curious to see what other breed or breeds could be in his ancestry.

We took the cotton swab and ran it inside his mouth for the determined amount of time and were careful not to contaminate the evidence as we shipped it back to the laboratory.

Two weeks later, we got a letter in the mail stating that there weren’t enough cells to test and they asked for another sample.

We thought that this was due to his small size and did another sample, but using his gums to get the sample, instead of the inside of his cheek.

Two weeks later, the packet came in the mail and it was proven that there were only two breeds present in his little lineage. He was Chihuahua in Level Two and he was poodle in Level Three.

We decided that this meant that one of Leon’s grandparents was a poodle and that one of his parents was half poodle, half Chihuahua.

After knowing what dog breeds make up little Leon, there are a few things about him that now make sense.

His large ears that stand straight up are clearly the end result of a poodle that has large ears that lay down and a Chihuahua that has smaller ears that stand up.

His small frame and skinny body are clearly that of a Poodle, while his coloring is obviously from the Chihuahua breed.

Understanding his temperament is the most valuable information stemming from the results of the Dog Breed Test.

Taking after his Chihuahua side, Leon is very entertaining and lively. He is very playful and has lots of energy. He has bonded closely with one of his owners and cries if she leaves. He very tough and is an excellent watch dog.

On the other hand, he loves to play with dogs of all different sized and shapes and he meets most strangers with a friendly wag of his tail. He is extremely intelligent and he is really easy to train. These are the traits of the Poodle Breed.

Having the Dog Breed Test done on Leon has helped us to understand is behavior better and helps us to keep him happy.

If you ever have a chance to use the Dog Breed Testing Kit, we don’t think you should hesitate one bit. It was an interesting and informative test that has brought us closer to our Leon.

 
DOG BLOG
Breed identification is a major problem when it comes to breed bans.

Breed recognition 
A study on breed identification: Given that breed bans are based on, well, breed identification, she and others are gathering breed identifications.

Breed ban info; MARS Wisdom Panel.
If we thought it was a mix, we were asked to identify the primary and (if relevant) secondary breeds contributing to the dog breed identification

Author: Jennifer Andrade

Written by Jennifer Andrade of A Dog for Life, LLC , dedicated to helping you choose and find the best dog for your family. We also feature many other resources that help you have a more positive and closer relationship with your canine companion. You can find us at http://www.adogforlife.com/dog-blog

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

Technorati Tags: dog breed identification, dog dna origins test, Dog DNA Test

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