Wisdom Panel Premiumthe Barks Top Pick
With the Wisdom Panel dog DNA test, you’re getting a superior product at a reasonable price. The science behind it was developed by world-class geneticists and veterinarians. And in 2021, Wisdom Panel introduced a new breed detection system that consistently shows error rates 2-4x lower than the industry standardmaking it the most accurate dog DNA service on the market. And their breed reference database is larger than any other. So, even the rarest of breeds wont slip through the cracks. Then their easy-to-use interface makes it effortless to view your dog’s breed breakdown listing each breed in the mix all the way down to 1% with over 98% accuracy.
You can even trace your pups ancestry back to their great-grandparents! But the best part? With more than 210 genetic health tests, from drug sensitivities to vision disorders to mobility problems, youll be better prepared when it comes to your pets health. And if you still have questions, Wisdom Panel offers a free consultation with a licensed vet to explain your dogs health results.
- Over 98% accurate
- 35+ trait tests including coat type, color, and ideal weight
- Multi-generational family tree
What Should I Look For In A Dog Dna Test
Cheaper definitely isnt better when it comes to DNA tests. Look for a DNA test that has a lot of breeds in their database. Companies that are newer often charge lower prices, may not be able to detect breeds accurately if their DNA database is smaller, advises Dr. Venkat. And youll want to splurge on an upgraded test, if youre interested in determining whether your dog is at risk for any specific genetic conditions or diseases. Lastly, the best DNA tests will also be able to match your dog to their relatives, or determine what genes they carry for coat color and other desirable qualities.
Dog Dna Testing Results
DNA test results will be sent by email within 2-3 weeks from receipt of samples. There will be a host of valuable information included in the test, including:
- A complete breakdown of your dogs breed composition. The test will determine what breeds your dog is made up of. The breed composition scale goes from Level S , down to Level T . This structure helps you see exactly what breed mix your pups DNA is made up of. Please view a detailed explanation of the breed classification.
- A comprehensive guide to what kind of personality traits, exercise routines and behaviours you can expect from each individual breed in your dog. This information can prove to be useful to the pet owner who wants to make the most of their dogs training, using techniques that are most suited to the temperaments and activity levels specific dog breeds.
- Your official document showing the results with a gold stamp of approval. This document will break down the test results and is perfect for framing.
- A step by step guide of the illnesses and health problems that could plague your particular breed mix. You can use this information to prepare for future illnesses or address problems that might already be present.
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A Little Background About The Bits Adoption
The shelter had the Little Bits as a Boston terrier pug mix. We were the ones who took one look at her and said, no way! But, honestly, what the heck do we know about dog breeds?
Our vet also said due to her size, she looks more like a chihuahua pug mix. When we look at apple head chihuahuas, she looks so much like them. So, we decided to tell everyone shes a chihuahua.
Let me tell you, every single person who meets her asks her breed. Shes that cute that people are curious. It turns out, we were quite a bit wrong!
As Ive said many times her breed doesnt matter. Wed love her if she were part alien. However, its interesting to know. I did my own DNA test for ancestry and health, so Im just into that sort of thing.
In my previous post, I talked about the process of the dog DNA test. It was easy and painless. After shipping it back, they keep you updated via email and text throughout the process.
Before we go further, play the Breed Guessing game to see how you do!
Our yard currently looks postapocalyptic, but I think she looks really cute in this pic!
What Is The Difference Between Breed Identification And Ancestry Testing
Breed identification is the process of determining what breeds make up the lineage of an animal. This process can be completed in order to determine if a dog is a mix of more than one breed or to provide information about a pedigree for breeding purposes.
Conversely, ancestry testing is the process of determining which breeds and ancestral lineage make up an animal. Ancestry testing can be used to determine a pets heritage or create designer animals with specific characteristics that fit consumers needs. This type of testing, while expensive, is also very valuable because it provides a window into the past and, on a larger scale, insights into the genetic history of a species.
Dog DNA testing is also used to trace the origin of rare breeds or breeds that have been cross-bred so extensively that their original lineages are lost. This can be done by testing the mitochondrial DNA or Y-chromosome. Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited and is found in the mitochondria of the cell.
The key difference between these two concepts comes down to the differing purposes that they serve. Breed identification is predominantly used for ownership and breeding purposes, while ancestry testing can be used for medical reasons or to determine lineage.
Breed Identification
Ancestry Testing
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Dog Dna Test Results Family Tree
Yep, a couple generations back apparently Dream’s family tree includes Great Pyrenees. How hilarious is that? Maybe that’s why she seemed so tall for such a young puppy .
These dog DNA test results came back VERY similar to Tori’s, except her rando breed was English Springer Spaniel. Both of Dream and Tori’s results show basically equal parts Australian Shepherd and Border Collie with a little mishmash of other things.
What Do Veterinarians Say About All This
While a number of companies test for genetic predispositions for diseases, a selling point for pet owners concerned with early detection of their pet’s illnesses, the lack of testing kit oversight has given pause to some veterinarian professionals. In 2018, the journal Nature published a story in which a Harvard bioethicist, veterinarian and medical doctor cautioned against the lack of validation and imprecise results or interpretation in results. They foresaw a world in which there would be a conflict of interest in which pet care companies could use genetic information about a pet to sell it goods and services that were indicated by the results of direct-to-consumer genetic testing. However, this cautionary call for regulation doesn’t preclude using a DNA test kit for a fun look at your pet’s ancestry.
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Why Is It Important To Know If A Dog Is A Mixed Breed Or A Purebred Dog
A mixed breed is the offspring of two different pure breed dogs. A mixed breed dog is also called mongrel, mutt, or random-bred. They are generally known as dogs having two or more breeds in their genetic background.
Mixed-breed dogs, cross-bred dogs, and purebred dogs all make excellent companion pets. If you need a dog for a specific trait such as top-level obedience, sheep-herding, or hunting, then you need to go for a dog breed that excels in that area. Specific breeds can also exhibit the particular traits you require. For instance, a Golden Retriever X Labrador Retriever cross will likely be an offspring that like to retrieve and love water.
Mixing breeds might not generally lead to healthier offspring. The truth is dogs, either mixed or purebred inherit genes from each parent. If any parent passes along a gene that codes for a hereditary disease, the pup stands a better chance of exhibiting the disease.
Hybrid vigor the concept that unrelated parents produce healthier offspring only works when natural selection is in operation. A dog with clinical symptoms of hip dysplasia will not survive in the wild hence it has a lesser chance of passing its genes to the next generation. In our modern world of advanced veterinary care and constant food, dogs with complex problems survive long enough to produce lots of pups.
Why Do A Dog Dna Test
Knowing your dogs breed profile makes it easier to identify illnesses he may be predisposed to, says Dr. Jason Sweitzer, a veterinarian at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California.
Certain breeds have heart problems, and so you can have cardiologist consults more often to catch heart disease early. Other breeds are predisposed to some types of cancers that we want to be screening for earlier. Knowledge is power, and these tests can give you some knowledge about the breed.
Dr. Angela Hughes, veterinary genetics research manager at Wisdom Health in Vancouver, Washington, recalls a story about Honey, a dog who had become ill with a high fever. After initial blood work failed to provide answers, the vet wanted to run more tests that would have been invasive and costly.
The owner mentioned they had just done a Wisdom Panel dog DNA test and that Honey was half Chinese Shar Pei, says Dr. Hughes. This is when the veterinarian realized that Honey was likely suffering from a condition called Shar Pei Fever. They were able to treat her appropriately and she was home by that evening. The owner and the veterinarian also now have a plan for treating any future fevers that may arise.
Besides uncovering predisposed illnesses, dog DNA tests can also give you insight into your furred family members behavior, which can potentially make training more effective.
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Limitations Of The Dna My Dog Breed Test
The DNA My Dog Canine Breed Determination Test is designed for the sole purpose of identifying breeds found in the genetic composition of dogs.
It cannot determine whether or not a dog is purebred it can merely identify DNA that matches the validated breeds that make up the database.
Your analysis will be compiled based on the results obtained from your DNA sample submission, and will be processed with a reasonable amount of certainty. It is possible that there have been some random changes within your dogs DNA which may affect the results. The testing procedures and database are designed to recognize that this may happen and minimize any effect. It is understood that no analytical test is 100% accurate. DNA My Dog are not responsible for any inferences made about any individual dog based upon the provided information.
The test is based upon a database of recognized breeds. If your dog contains other breeds, not in the database, it may give rise to the identification of breeds earlier in your pets history and may therefore provide a seemingly unlikely result for your dog. It is important to understand that each dog is uniquely individual. Two dogs with the same breeds detected in their DNA may exhibit drastically different physical traits. In terms of behavior and personality, while certain traits may generally be associated with specific breeds, behavior will also be influenced by environment, training and handling.
What Is A Dog Dna Test
Embark’s easy-to-read graphics makes it easy to understand your dog’s breed breakdown.
A dog DNA test looks at a pup’s genes to determine their breed ancestry. How do dog DNA tests work? They provide their results by taking a sample of a dogs saliva and cheek cells from a swab and analyzing the DNA inside to determine what breeds make up their genes, explains Dr. Heather Venkat, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and Companion Animal Veterinarian with VIP Puppies. The test breaks down the genetic materials to look for specific markers that tell a dog’s breed make-up by percentage. The more mixed breed a dogs , the harder it will be to detect those individual breeds in their genes, Venkat says. However, most DNA tests are fairly accurate enough depending on how many breeds are in their database. With most dog DNA companies, you may also pay more for a genetic health analysis, which can point to genetic conditions your dog may have or may develop in the future.
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Wisdom Panels Commitment To Research And Privacy
Like Embark, Wisdom Health sponsors the IPFD, the group harmonizing the canine genetic-testing industry. It also conducts canine research based on the DNA samples it receives. For example, an in PLOS Genetics examined 152 diseases in more than 100,000 dogs across 330 breeds. The study reported that mixed-breed dogs are more likely to carry a common recessive disease, and that purebred dogs are more likely to develop a disease from one. Although the findings dont suggest that a single test is a predictor for disease, Wisdom Panel, in part, believes it can help veterinarians make better treatment decisions.
Although Wisdom Panel is owned by Mars, Incorporated, Wisdom Panel told us in an email that it controls its own data, and at Wisdom Panel, we may use anonymized composite data for research purposes and this de-identified data may be shared with third parties. However, we never share personal data or results tied to a specific pet without explicit consent from the user.
Wisdom Panel also maintains a strict privacy policy. It doesn’t share information with third parties without the account holders written consent, similar to HIPAA. And with an account holders consent, a veterinarian may consult Wisdom Panels in-house vet geneticists about a pet patients results.
Most Common Mixed Breed Dogs In Dog Dna Test Results
According to the dog DNA test results from Embark, Wisdom Health and DNA My Dog, these are the six mixed dog breeds that show up most often:
German Shepherds are known for their abilities as guide, guard, and search and rescue dogs, says Dr. Hughes. They are prized for their strength, intelligence, herding ability and temperament.
Depending on which breeds theyre crossed with, German Shepherd mixes can assume different appearances, says Tenenbaum, But they can typically have the black and tan coatsa double coat that is fuller and thicker than some breeds. Traits that may pass to German Shepherd mixes include their upright ears, dark face mask and dark saddle over their back, says Dr. Hughes.
One health issue to watch for with this group is joint problems, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, says Dr. Susan Jeffrey, a veterinarian at Truesdell Animal Care Hospital and Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. Theyre also prone to arthritis later in life, she says.
Breeds in this group include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bulldog, American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier. The Bully type breeds typically have heads that are more square, and larger, smooth coats and can be broader-chested, says Tenenbaum.
Because theyre larger breeds, Dr. Jeffrey says they may have joint issues similar to German Shepherd mixes.
Crossing Poodles with breeds like the Labrador Retriever is currently very popular, says Dr. Hughes.
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The Best Dog Dna Testing Kits For 2022
Want to know if your pup is 100 percent pug? Mostly Maltese? A pet DNA test uncovers your dog’s origins and gives you information about inherited diseases. We tested three popular kits to let you know which one delivers the best results.
I’ve been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally for 30 years, more than half of that time with PCMag. I run several special projects including the Readers’ Choice and Business Choice surveys, and yearly coverage of the Fastest ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs. I work from my home, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.
What To Look Forward To
We scouted Darwins Ark, a crowdsourcing effort that has pet owners submit short behavioral surveys about their dogsand in return they receive a free DNA test. Collaborating researchers, like Hekman of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, study the research in the hope of understanding what exactly makes dogs, well, dogs. Theres a waiting list for the free DNA tests, and it can take years to receive the results. Anyone can buy a test starting at $249 . Most results for paid tests are available in 90 to 120 days. Darwins Ark has 101 breeds in its database and uses 4 million genetic markers. We look forward to reviewing Darwins Ark after it receives additional funding and can streamline its testing process for all participants.
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The Importance Of Understanding Your Dogs Ancestry
If you want to know if a potential dog breed is a match for your personality and lifestyle, then understanding their ancestry is very important.
There are certain breeds that match certain personalities. For example, if you have a high energy level and you want a dog that can keep up with you, then a Husky might be the right choice for you. If you want to adopt an older dog or one that is family-friendly and puts up with things like being stepped on, then a Golden Retriever may be better suited to your lifestyle. If you are looking for a dog that will be easy to train, then Labradors might be the best fit.
As far as breeds go, there are some that are more difficult to train or that might not be a good fit for your lifestyle. The following dog breeds pair with certain types of lifestyles.
What Does A Dog Dna Test Tell You
A dog DNA test result will tell your dogs breed mix by percentage. They can also discern between lineages and provide a DNA tree from the sire and dame . Canine DNA testing will also reveal health risks and breed predisposition to certain diseases. Other key items these tests tell you to include your dogs ancestry, relatives, genetic diversity, traits, ideal weight, and other fun facts you didnt know about your dog.
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