Doggie DNA Testing: Who's Your Daddy?

So you’ve adopted a dog from rescue or a shelter and you have no idea what breed he is.  Does it even matter?  Well, it might to some.  Knowing what breed or combination of breeds your dog is can lend insight to several things.  Breed identification can tell you more about your dog in the areas of behavior, health needs and even potential genetic conditions he may be more prone to. 

DNA testing for dogs used to be available only through veterinarians and it was quite costly. Recently, the test kits have become more widely available and cost around $69 on average.  You can still inquire about DNA testing at your vet’s office.  Some services may be more accurate than others, or may offer a wider range of breeds included in its matchmaking database. 

If you decide to purchase the kit on your own without going through your vet, the good news is that there is no blood draw involved.  Obtaining a sample is nothing more than swabbing the inside of your dog’s cheek, popping it in the mail and waiting a couple of weeks for the results.  The sample you provide will be compared to over 120 different breeds.  The technology is constantly improving and the price is on the decline, as is the wait time.  So if you’ve held off on DNA testing your dog due to costs, you may find that it is now a viable option for you.

Some of the sites that offer this service are:

http://dog-dna.com/

http://www.wisdompanel.com/

http://www.canineheritage.com/

If you get asked daily “what kind of dog is that?” – You may finally have your answer.  Place your order and have your friends go ahead and place their bets!