Deoxyribonucleic acid otherwise know as DNA is defined as:
It is located in the nuclei of cells, which make up the body. Consequently, DNA can be considered as one of the building blocks of the body. - News-Medical.Net
You mostly hear about DNA in regards to humans but some furparents are interested in DNA of their furbabies. I have been curious about Titan’s DNA ever since I rescued him. Why? Mainly for health and nutritional reasons. As you know, some breeds have specific health issues. (i.e. proned to hip dysplasia, blindness, arthritis, arrhythmia, congenital heart defects, etc.).
Titan’s papers state his is American Bulldog/Mastiff. Again, I believe the Mastiff is American Staffordshire Terrier however can’t prove it. Would a DNA test prove that as well?
I haven’t asked my vet about it yet, I actually keep forgetting, however, Titan does have his annual exam at the end of this month and I think I’ll ask her.
I’ve also found online, Canine DNA Test Kits from Wisdom Panel. Has anyone tried these?
Courtesy of WisdomPanel.Com
Apparently, you buy the kit and ship it to your home. It comes with:
- a Collection form to complete;
- swab sleeves for returning your specimens;
- swabs that you use to swab your dogs check, inside his mouth;
- mail the specimens back immediately in the prepaid envelope
Sounds simple enough, right? A sample report can be found HERE.
I’m going to wait until after Titan’s annual before I either order this kit or get the vet to do it but I’d love to hear from you!
Have you done a DNA test on your dog and if so, what did you find out?
About Bren
I wonder if there is the DNA test for cats too. Interesting post Brenda. Could be very useful before you get your next pet too.
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I’m not sure Lisa, would be interesting right? There are so many dogs that are crossbred over and over again its so sad. Would be interesting to see if Titan really is Ambull/Amstaff PLUS the biggest part is, I’ll know what to look out for as far as health conditions. Big plus with this paranoid Momma.
Hi Brenda very interesting I never really gave it much tought but always good to know. Max hates the vet because at one point he was not very nice to Max, long story anyway thank so much for the tip Brenda.
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Sorry about Max, Rob. I think it could be useful info and the more I think of it, the more I want to do it. I chose Titan’s “type” because of long life span and other things, etc.That was the first thing that drew me to him, other than his ravishing good looks.
Thanks for sharing.
I did this last year with our puppy, Blue and LOVED IT. Worth every penny. I wrote about it on my site too. We found out that he’s Australian Cattle Dog (we guessed this), Australian Shepherd (we thought Border Collie), and Large Munsterlander (what????). When we saw the picture and researched the 3rd breed, it was SOOOO Blue. he gets his size from the Shepherd.
The report is fantastic. I showed it to everyone and highly recommend it to people. You can pick them up for a great price on Amazon.
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This is awesome Kimberly!! Thank you so much for letting me know you did this. Same test? I’ll go to your blog and check out your post on it. I’m at the point that I want to do it. Just waiting until after I talk to the vet first. They might use the same kit! Woohoo!! Btw, Munsterlander? I’m with ya… wha? I’ll have to google that one!
Thanks Kimberly! Fantastic!
Hi Brenda,
A DNA Kit? :O I’ve never heard of such ever. I wonder how it works though. Hmm… That’s really nice to hear, you know, sometimes these can be very helpful
Seems I’m aware of more pet products than people with pets 
lol…
Hope to hear more when you get to know about such and more DNA news
Have a wonderful week Brenda
Cheers…
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Thanks Mayura! Pretty cool, isn’t it! I’m getting more anxious to do it, especially after reading Kimberly’s review in her comment! Would be an interesting couple of posts, no? Hope you’re having a great start to your week!
Wow, that’s something that’s never occurred to me to wonder about. I guess it becomes alot more important (and complex) when you don’t have a breeder hand over a pedigree with your new dog.
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You’re absolutely right Coralee! Being I’m Titan’s 3rd owner and him being a mixed breed, I would really like to track down his genetic makeup so I know what kind of health issues to be aware of. I already know hip dysplasia, allergies, ear infections (floppies), etc. but would really love to know more. I want to do preventative measures to ensure he’s around a very VERY long time.
I would love to have this done on every dog that comes through our door, but alas we can’t
A few of our blogger friends have had this done & it has been very entertaining to say the least. The funniest one that we can remember is Ziggy’s. If you do not know Ziggy, you should go over & meet him & his foster mom. It will not let me put a link on here so I will put it on your Facebook.
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I wonder if you wrote the company, if they would give you like multi-dog discount or something
Would be interesting. Just read about Ziggy! OMG! Yorkshire Terrier? O.o Owey! hehe So cute!
Hey Bren,
Wow, this is a first for me, and I’d love to find out more to see what lies in my furbabies’ DNA. Thanks for sharing this with us, I’m definitely checking with my vet about this and love to hear a follow up if you decide to test Titan.
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Hi Corina! Isn’t it super cool? Wouldn’t you love to do it with yours? I have a sneaky feeling the vet’s might cost more and instead of waiting until the end of the month, I’m going to call tomorrow. After seeing what Heather was telling me about Ziggy, I really wanna know now!
I have never, but only because I already know what they are, if I didn’t I most definetly would!!! Sometimes I still kind of think poe is not what he was said to be, so maybe just maybe I might try thisone day! You must let us know the results if you get it done-well duh!
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I think it was peak a bit of curiosity out of almost everyone. Even the purest of pure breeds, I still would doubt it. haha I trust no one! I’m going to order my kit this week! Curiosity has killing me!
I heard good things about this kit from Kimberly. We never carried DNA tests at the vets I worked with, but would collect samples for people who wanted to use them. I remember doing it to some dogs once and getting some really crazy and whacky results back. I don’t remember the brand though. I’d be curious to know Titan’s DNA. I think I remember reading something about the results for “pit bull” genes can show up as weird things, don’t remember exactly though.
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Oh I’m sure the results could be whacked out. I think it would be funny to see a bit of chihuahua in Titan cause the hubs and I are always teasing him saying that’s what he thinks he is! haha I just gotta do it! Ya’ll have inspired me to do it!
Mom says she has heard these tests are not very accurate (she’s and RVT), but they still sound like fun
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Really? Interesting. Waste of $$$?
We did the dog DNA test, and it was fun, but please bare in mind that it is just that… fun. This isn’t definitive anything. They only have a fraction of the breeds found across the globe and from that they only have a few samples of each type of breed… no where near a clear concise picture. Some would argue that breed classifications are myths anyway, yes dogs can look alike, but only within the last few generations have people been documenting sires and damnes, before that it was a free for all. Arguably, there is no such thing.
But it was fun. Granted they told me that my hound mix was a shitzu, and that was good for a laugh.
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Hmm now you’ve given me something more to think about. Thank you for sharing that with me. I’d hate to spend the money and have it come back just “funny”. Thank you!
I was wondering about the dna tests too. Samus is definitely a toy poodle mix but we aren’t sure with what. She could be a shih poo, cockapoo, or anything.
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