So Whaddya Think: DNA Tests for Dogs?

October 22, 2007

Recent developments by Mars Veterinary have created the Wisdom Panel MX Mixed Breed Analysis test, a comprehensive method of evaluating a dog's blood or cheek swab sample to figure out which breeds make up a mutt's DNA. I've got mixed feelings, but I'd love to hear your opinions about this.

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37 Comments

soupprincess 5 years 14 weeks

I am planning on doing this later on for my pup. It helps to know what breed temperament to expect, and, more importantly, to anticipate future health concerns. For example, I am fairly sure my dog is a great pyrenees mix, rather than the american eskimo mix I was told it was. As it just keeps growing and growing, I have recently switched from the healthy morsels puppy chow to the large breed puppy chow, to ensure that he gets enough protein for his expected muscle content and extra glucosamine for any anticipated hip dysplasia, a common problem with the breed. This will, ideally, help prevent arthritis and bone/joint problems in his senior years. I will still get the testing, to figure out what else I need to look for...he has floppy ears which seem to need a good ear cleaning (I never had this problem with my eskies and their pointy ears) and I don't know what to anticipate from his other breed.

fairylove222 5 years 30 weeks

I had my dog DNA tested before purchasing to make sure he was free of congenital problems

tralalala 5 years 30 weeks

I don't think it's at all necessary, and it wouldn't affect how much I love my pet, but I do think it's cool, and if I had the extra money lying around, I would do it!

only so cute 5 years 30 weeks

i think from a medical and technological stand point it is pretty cool but from a practical stand point it is unnecessary.

Sugar-aholic 5 years 30 weeks

I am considering it out of curiosity. I love my dog and have always wondered what mix he is that makes his so great. I also wouldn't mind knowing if there were any health problems I should watch out for.

gonedelirious 5 years 30 weeks

my dad came up with the "breed" American Affection Hound. That's what we used to call our dobie mix because everyone would ask us, but it would have been fun to know what she really was. If it was anything more than a blood test, I would never do it though.

bellanatella 5 years 30 weeks

Yeah, I'd be curious but I don't know..

bellanatella 5 years 30 weeks

Yeah, I'd be curious but I don't know..

allourregrets 5 years 30 weeks

Just because I want to know how the heck my all black dog that looks like a rottie/lab mix ended up with BLUE eyes, doesnt mean I love her any less. I just want to know how the heck what appears to be a rottie/lab mix got blue eyes!

allourregrets 5 years 30 weeks

cageyme-you do kind of have a point. my dog is "on the record" as being a pitbill mix, but no one thinks that she really is. So it could also work in the other direction as well. ;)

gruaig_rua 5 years 30 weeks

It's a bit extreme. I read recently that in Australia one the city councils has decided to begin a dog DNA database but it's for the purposes of identifying dogs that are involved in attacks. I'm all for that!

cageyme 5 years 30 weeks

My worry with DNA tests for dogs is this: what if you have a gentle, well-trained mutt and it turns out that poochy has a smidgen of pitt bull or rottweiler. Now there is a record out there saying your dog is part pitt bull that can be used by an insurance company to deny you home owner's insurance. I know, I'm paranoid. :dog:

vanillakokakola 5 years 30 weeks

I totally agree with ipaschal. Being curious about what your mutt is made of doesn't mean you don't love your mutt no matter what. For example, we got my great-grandma a golden retriever mix, and we've been racking our brains for over a year trying to figure out exactly what she's mixed with that makes her so short, fat and cute - it'd be interesting to find out for sure what exactly that is.

ipaschal 5 years 30 weeks

I adopted my mixed breed dog from a shelter and OF COURSE I want to know which breeds she is. I don't understand how getting a breed analysis could imply not "accepting whatever my dog is"- I'm not trying to put her into a neat little check box, that's ridiculous. She's a dog!!!

gab6784 5 years 30 weeks

I don't really think its necessary to know exactly what breeds your dog is, especially if you know its a mutt... I mean shouldn't you just love them the way they are? What is knowing their breed(s) going to do? I just don't see the reason to subject them to unnecessary testing.

MandyJoBo 5 years 30 weeks

I would want to know out of curiosity and because it is part of a creature I love so much, and love is part understanding.

aimeeb 5 years 30 weeks

I'd be curious but not enough to waste the money on it.

Tari007 5 years 30 weeks

I think it's very cool that science has got to that point where we can figure that out, but I'd love my mutt for who he/she is and not care which breeds make up the mixture. A mutt is a mutt! That's the beauty of it! :pet:

Renees3 5 years 30 weeks

Like most people said, it's not really neccisary, but it'd be cool to know. I love my dog no matter what he is, but it's be nice to finally have a real answer to what he is. Mutts Rule!!!

mnp 5 years 30 weeks

I think it's a wonderful idea. Different breeds have particular characteristics and are prone to different diseases. It would be good to know what kind of dog you have and how to train or treat certain behavioral problems or to prevent diseases.

eeb3b 5 years 30 weeks

It would be pretty cool to know what my dog really is, but that would definitely not change what an awesome dog he is! He's a perfect mutt.

lizflan 5 years 30 weeks

i love my pup, don't get me wrong. but i did a lot of research, and then paid a fairly expensive price for a morkie (maltese-yorkie mix), and as she grew up she looked remarkably more like a schnauzer-yorkie mix. i'd love to get that test done just to know for sure!

Lovely_1 5 years 30 weeks

I don't really care, but I mean, if you are paying all that money for a purebred, you want a purebred! Purebreeds are expensive and you want your money's worth!

Le Luxe 5 years 30 weeks

I always wanted to know which mix my dog is....I dont have a clue!

zoeeaton 5 years 30 weeks

I think science is getting cooler ever day for all the things they can do now, but animal testing is cruel... on some ainmals there really horrable to them but with out them doing that we wouldnt have medincin and all hte other stuff ... p.s: science is crap at skwl so boring..

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