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Terry Kelley CVT, CPDT, CAP1 (Spring 2008)
First Published in Yankee Dog Magazine
Canine DNA Breed Testing
With her bubbly personality and adorable expressions, Abby
is the perfect All-American Girl. But take a closer look and I’m sure
you will agree she is part ... er, what?
Abby’s Mom “Elaine” adopted her from a local NH shelter, when
Abby was a 5 month old puppy. She quickly discovered her new puppy
was very bright, had a natural talent for jumping and was very
inquisitive, so Mom was convinced Abby was part Jack Russell. And
because she always had her nose to the ground, following interesting
scents, well, naturally Abby must have some Beagle in her as well.
As she grew up to be a medium-sized dog, her teeth seem rather large
for her size. So, maybe there was a large breed dog influence somewhere
in her pedigree. But how could her owner know for sure, what Abby’s
family tree really contained?
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Now meet Jax and Zaida. They symbolize the All American Canine, with their classic good looks, intelligence, loyalty and playful personalities. They are both great companions and buddies. Jax is a handsome 2.5 year old southern boy, originally from Tennessee. The shelter down south thought he was part Wire-Haired Fox Terrier. However, his Mom “Samantha” thought he was a Terrier/Herding cross or a Patterdale Terrier because of his looks and personality. Zaida is a cute, 8 month old, local gal from Maine. Her sire was a Pit Bull Terrier and her dam was a mixed breed. Her Mom thought she had some Pointer in her family tree because of her ears, coat, coloring and joyful personality. But, Mom still did not know what possible breeds made her furry kids, the unique individuals they are. Well, now you can discover what breeds are in your mixed breed dog’s ancestry.
Benefits of Knowing Your Dog’s Ancestry
Aside from the general curiosity factor of knowing who is in Fido’s
family tree, there are some positive reasons for considering this test.
With advances in veterinary care, dogs are living longer, which is terrific!
However, every breed has its share of genetic health issues and health risks.
Knowing Fido’s DNA would provide valuable information in regards to his long
term health care. Owners can research the breeds in their dog’s lineage and
discover what health issues are present. Should their dog have a health problem,
informed owners can notify their veterinarian of their dog’s genetic makeup,
which could lead to a more accurate and timely diagnosis. Illnesses and health
risks such as diabetes, cardiomyopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, sensitivity
to certain medications such as Ivermectin and more, could be monitored, prevented,
diagnosed and/or treatment more effectively.
Temperament and personality are another reason DNA testing could be beneficial.
If your dog is always trying to round up the kids or cats, or is nipping at their
feet, then knowing he has some herding breeds in his ancestry would shed light on
his behavior. This information could help the owner decide on appropriate classes
and activities for the dog, to help channel his energy and talents in a more suitable
manner.
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And the Downside
Cost. While the actual laboratory cost for the DNA blood analysis
is $85, the price you pay to your veterinarian will vary. The two NH owners
paid from $127 - $135 for this test at their vet clinic. So, many owners will
not be able to spend a substantial amount of money on a blood test which is
not medically necessary for the current health of their pet.
Confidentiality. Once the testing and results are known, who could
potentially have access to that information? Does the Mars organization keep
a database of all dogs tested and control who has access to that database?
We assume if the owner pays for the test, access to the results are strictly
for the owner (and veterinarian). But in this day of high tech access to
information, we can no longer be guaranteed privacy in any situation.
Privacy. Consider owners who have “Boxer or Lab mixes” and are
trying to rent an apartment or obtain housing insurance or are trying to
obtain health insurance or pet insurance. Could insurance companies now
mandate owners have DNA testing done to prove their dog is, indeed, what
the owner claims it is? Too many insurance companies already have restrictions
on owning certain types of dogs as they allege it increases the risk factor for
insurance claims.
What about neighbors who do not like dogs … or you? Could they instigate
a dispute, claim your dog is a Pit Bull or Rottie to stir up trouble and demand
you have your dog DNA tested?
Discrimination and BSL. Would the results of DNA testing lead to
more breed specific legislation (BSL) and discrimination against canines and
their owners? Could towns now legally require owners to have their mix breed
dog tested, in order to insure it does not have ancestry from any breed that
has been a target of BSL discrimination, in order to keep their dog?
As harmless as this testing may seem, there are more serious consequences
to knowing the answers to your dog’s heritage. Each owner will have to weigh
the pros and cons of DNA testing their mix breed dog. In some situations, maybe
the old adage of “let sleeping dogs lie” is appropriate.
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And the Answer is ...
According to the results of their DNA testing, Jax is part
Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Dachshund, German Shepherd and Miniature Schnauzer.
Zaida is part American Staffordshire Terrier, Dalmatian, French
Bulldog, Great Pyrenees, Poodle and Smooth Fox Terrier!
Abby’s DNA results from the Wisdom test concluded she has 15-20% of the following breeds in her background: Australian Cattle Dog, Sharpei, Bloodhound, Shiba Inu and Sheltie. Surprise! There were no traces of Beagle or Jack Russell. No matter, Abby’s mom is still happy she had the testing done, as she found it a fascinating learning experience. Abby is now 2 ½ years old and a joy to live with. She loves to run, jump, take agility classes, do tricks and will soon be taking her CGC evaluation. Her enthusiasm for life is never-ending and she is a wonderful companion. Her mom, Elaine, says she would be lost with Abby in her life. When you have a dog like Abby, who is truly a one-of-a-kind blessing, what more could you ask for. |
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Stay Tuned ... Part 2
Now, for all of you “canine detectives”, here is a challenge to solve. We recently submitted blood samples for three dogs, Bella, Player & Sugar whose pictures we have included in this article. Take a good look at each dog and see if you can discover what breeds may be in their heritage. If you think you have an idea, send your answer(s) to me at: Pet Tech. When the DNA results are determined, I will have a follow-up article in the next edition of the paper and provide all the details. I’ll also include a sampling of the answers received, and the name(s) of the talented canine sleuth(s) who accurately determine what mystery breeds lie in the DNA of these three dogs. The top three sleuths whose answers most closely match the results of the DNA analysis will receive a year’s subscription to Yankee Dog! |
Bella
Player
Sugar
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