Comments on: Dog DNA testing has anyone tried it?

By: Joe R

Joe R — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:31 +0000

I work at a large vet clinic and we get this question all the time. The DNA tests are not 100% accurate nor do the companies that offer them claim to be, but it’s not a scam either, it’s about 90% and can be a good thing for people who are just curious about the possible background of their dog. It offers insight into the dog behavioral patterns and could help your vet diagnose potential health issues down the road.

Having done over 100 dogs using these tests I would check out DNA Diagnostics Center. http://www.vetdnacenter.com

We have found them to be very reputable and reasonably priced at $60…and they just need a cheek swab sample, there is no need for a blood sample.

By: ragapple

ragapple — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:31 +0000

my breed organization board researched it since accusations of crossbreeding are legion among the preformance winners – its not accurate enough to determine if dog is pure of any breed….the testing labs themselves claim an 80% accuracy …
now for parentage if you have the parents around is fairly accurate and the DNA test for a few diseases are a GODSEND

By: BSL is the pits

BSL is the *pits* — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:31 +0000

I’ve been curious about them, too, as both my dogs are rescues but look to be full APBT. Thought it would be kinda fun to test them, although I doubt I ever actually will. Anyhoo, some say they’re not very realiable. Check out this youtube vid where a lady tests her show dog and gets interesting results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a4CDvK868w

By: Chigirl Love A Chihuahua

Chigirl *Love A Chihuahua* — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:31 +0000

I have never used one, but in one of my AKC magazines it mentions they are very reliable & they can tell you which breeds your mutt is made of starting with the most dominant to the least.
I think it’s pretty cheap too, like 60-75$

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:31 +0000

We use it at my rescue quite frequently. In fact the test is 99.997% accurate according to the company but only to the breeds in the database, so if your dog has a breed not in the database of available breeds the accuracy will go way down. For us our dogs are pretty common breeds, so we have been very happy. We us a service called DNA My Dog (www.dnamydog.com). I know there are others, but this is the only Canadian company we know of.