Introduction
Dog DNA tests have exploded in popularity in recent years. These tests allow dog owners to learn about their pet’s ancestry and get insights into their health, traits, and behaviors. From puppy owners curious about breed mixes to shelters seeking to learn more about rescue dogs’ backgrounds, interest in canine DNA testing continues to grow.
The advent of doggie DNA tests has coincided with the rise of at-home genetic testing kits for humans. Just as people are fascinated about their own ancestry and genetic traits, dog owners have embraced the opportunity to unlock their pup’s pedigree. Advancements in genetic science have made dog DNA tests more affordable, accessible, and accurate than ever before.
With more companies offering doggy DNA tests, it’s easier than ever for owners to peek into their pet’s genetic makeup. But are these tests worth it? What can they really tell you about your four-legged friend? Let’s take a closer look at what dog DNA tests involve and what pet parents need to know.
What Dog DNA Tests Tell You
Dog DNA tests analyze your dog’s genes to provide information about their ancestry, health, and physical traits. There are three main types of results you can get from a dog DNA test:
Ancestry/Breed Identification
A dog DNA test can identify the breeds in your mixed breed dog by comparing your dog’s genetic signature to the signature of over 250 breeds in their database. The test will determine what percentage of your dog’s ancestry can be attributed to specific pure breeds. This can provide interesting insights into your dog’s heritage.
Genetic Health Risks
Some DNA tests screen for genetic mutations and variants associated with increased risk for certain diseases and conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and exercise-induced collapse. Knowing your dog’s predispositions can help you provide preventative care.
Physical Trait Predictions
DNA tests can predict your dog’s likely physical characteristics related to appearance, size, shedding, metabolism, and other traits based on identified gene variants. This can provide foresight into your dog’s adult size, shedding levels, dietary needs, etc.
Benefits of Dog DNA Tests
There are several benefits to getting a DNA test for your dog beyond just satisfying curiosity about their breed makeup and ancestry. Key benefits include:
Gain Insight Into Potential Health Issues
One of the most practical reasons to test your dog’s DNA is to screen for potential genetic health problems. Most tests will check for common issues associated with your dog’s detected breeds. This allows you to be proactive and catch any problems early before they become serious.
Customize Care and Training
Knowing your dog’s genetic background can help inform care and training practices. Breed-specific needs, temperaments, and predispositions will give you insight into tailoring nutrition, exercise, training techniques, and more.
For example, some breeds may be prone to weight gain and require specially formulated food. Or some may excel with reward-based training over other methods.
DNA insights allow you to make better choices for your dog’s lifestyle.
Limitations
While dog DNA tests can provide valuable insights, they also have some limitations to be aware of:
Not 100% accurate breed identification – The breed makeup results you get from a DNA test are estimates, not an exact science. The tests work by comparing your dog’s DNA to breed profiles in their database. But in some cases, dogs may get breed identification results that don’t seem to match their physical appearance and characteristics. Certain breeds are also more difficult to genetically differentiate. So take the breed breakdown as a general guide, not absolute truth.
Limited health screening – Dog DNA tests can screen for genetic mutations and traits associated with some conditions and diseases. But they only test for what’s in their database, not your dog’s entire genome. A DNA test is not equivalent to having your vet do a full clinical workup and diagnostic testing. So don’t rely entirely on a DNA test to give your dog a clean bill of health. Use it as a helpful screening tool along with regular vet checkups.
Types of Dog DNA Tests
There are two main types of dog DNA tests available to consumers: at-home testing kits and tests conducted at the vet.
At-home dog DNA test kits allow you to collect a saliva or cheek swab sample from your dog in the comfort of your home. Popular direct-to-consumer brands include Wisdom Panel and Embark. These tests typically come with swabs for collecting your dog’s saliva. Once you collect the sample, you mail it back to the company for analysis. In 2-3 weeks, the results are available online.
Vet-based dog DNA tests may screen for certain genetic diseases or just provide breed analysis like at-home kits. Your vet will collect the DNA sample from your dog during an appointment. This is then sent out to a third-party lab. Results are typically returned in 2-4 weeks. These tests can be more expensive than at-home kits but may also provide more detailed health screening.
Both at-home and vet-based dog DNA tests can provide breed analysis going back generations in your dog’s lineage. At-home kits from Wisdom Panel and Embark are considered highly reliable and accurate. Vet tests may provide more tailored results related to health risks for your specific dog.
What to Look for in a Test
When selecting a dog DNA test, there are four main factors to consider:
Breed Database
Look for a test that screens for over 200 dog breeds in its database. The larger the breed database, the more accurate the results. Top tests use a database of over 350 breeds.
Health Screening
Some tests also screen for over 150 genetic health conditions that may impact your dog. Testing health DNA can alert you to potential issues early.
Customer Reviews
Read customer reviews and check the test’s rating. Look for 4+ star reviews and happy customers. This helps ensure the test provides a good experience.
Cost
DNA tests can range from $60 to over $150 based on features. Look for deals and discounts to save money. Testing multiple dogs from the same litter can also lower costs.
Getting Tested
Getting your dog DNA tested is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the basic steps:
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Order a DNA test kit online from a provider like Embark, Wisdom Panel, or DNA My Dog. Kits typically cost $80-150 depending on the company and depth of analysis.
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When your kit arrives, collect a DNA sample from your dog according to the provided instructions. This usually involves swabbing the inside of the dog’s cheek to collect saliva and skin cells.
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Activate and register your kit online or via mail. Place the DNA sample and completed activation card into the return mailer provided.
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Mail the DNA sample to the company’s laboratory for analysis. Turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks.
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Wait for your dog’s test results! The company will email or mail you a detailed ancestry report breaking down your dog’s breed mix along with information on health, traits, and more.
With a simple cheek swab, you can gain valuable insights into your dog’s genetic profile and lineage. While waiting for results, you can speculate on what surprising breeds may show up in your mutt’s DNA!
Interpreting and Using Results
Once you’ve received the results of your dog’s DNA test, you’ll likely want to dig into what the findings mean for your pup. Here are some tips on interpreting and making the most of your dog’s ancestry and health test results:
Reading Ancestry Breakdown: One of the main draws of dog DNA tests is being able to learn about your dog’s heritage. The ancestry breakdown will show percentages of different breeds detected in your dog’s DNA. Look at the breeds identified and think about if their traits align with your dog’s characteristics. Just remember that no dog is 100% one breed, so focus more on the main 1-3 breeds indicated rather than tiny percentages.
Discussing Health Risks with Vet: If you tested your dog for any genetic health conditions, go over these results carefully with your veterinarian. They can help interpret if your dog is at low, moderate or high risk for developing issues like hip dysplasia, heart disease or eye problems. Early detection is key with many canine diseases, so your vet can recommend screening tests or prevention plans tailored to your dog’s specific risks.
Adjusting Care Based on Traits: Dog DNA tests often reveal interesting traits about your pup’s appearance, behavior and physiology. If they are prone to weight gain, you can adjust feeding. If prone to shedding, you can brush them more often. If they need a lot of stimulation, you can provide extra enrichment toys and activities. While a DNA test doesn’t determine your dog’s exact future, you can use the trait insights to better meet their needs.
Privacy Concerns
When submitting your dog’s DNA sample for testing, it’s important to be aware of any privacy concerns surrounding how your dog’s genetic information may be used or shared.
Make sure to closely review each company’s data usage and sharing policies. Many dog DNA testing companies state they will not share your dog’s data without your consent. However, some companies are vague about whether your dog’s genetic data could be shared, sold, or used for research purposes in the future.
Also find out how long the company retains your dog’s DNA sample after testing is complete. Most companies retain the sample for a period of time in case future testing or confirmation is needed. However, you may want to request that your dog’s sample be destroyed immediately after testing rather than stored indefinitely.
While dog DNA tests can provide valuable insights into your pet’s health and ancestry, it’s wise to fully understand how your dog’s genetic privacy may or may not be protected before submitting a sample.
The Bottom Line
Should you get a DNA test for your dog? Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons to help you decide.
The main benefits of dog DNA tests include:
- Identifying your dog’s breeds – This can provide insight into your dog’s appearance, behavior, and health needs.
- Checking for genetic health risks – Some tests screen for over 150 genetic diseases your dog could be prone to.
- Confirming parentage – Verify if puppies are from the expected sire and dam.
- Providing nutrition guidelines – The results can suggest ideal nutrition tailored to your dog’s breeds.
Potential downsides to consider:
- Accuracy varies – Results may not always be 100% accurate, especially for mixed breeds.
- Privacy concerns – You’re sharing your dog’s genetic data with the testing company.
- Cost – Tests can range from $60 to over $150 depending on the features.
Overall, a dog DNA test is recommended if you want to gain key health and behavioral insights about your dog. The best value comes from tests that screen for genetic diseases and provide breed mix analysis. It’s less crucial for single-breed dogs with known pedigree. Considering privacy policies before choosing a test is advised.