What is a Dog DNA Testing Kit?
If you’ve adopted or rescued a mixed breed dog from a shelter, chances are that at some point you’ve found yourself wondering which different breeds are mixed up in your dog. This is where dog DNA tests can be helpful — a dog DNA test can answer a lot of questions you may have about your dog’s genetic makeup.
A dog DNA testing kit is an easy to use, DIY tool kit that you’ll need to take a sample of your dog’s DNA. The kit arrives in a box and includes between one and four swabs (depending on which test you are using) which you’ll use to take a sample of your dog’s saliva and cells. Once you have your sample, you simply pop it into the pre-addressed box or envelope provided and ship the sample to the lab for analysis. Postage to ship the kit has already been paid, so all you need to do is add your return address and you’re good to go.
What Do These Tests Look For?
Those who want to learn more about their dog’s breed and ancestry can opt for a breed test. Your dog’s DNA will be examined for genetic markers and run through the database to find matches. Some tests will include not only the dog’s breed results but also those of the dog’s lineage reaching back to its great-grandparents.
The more complex the test, the higher the price of the test will be. If you’re interested in more than just your dog’s breed and are willing to fork out a little extra, you can opt to screen your dog for a large range of health conditions. These tests will show which medical conditions your dog is predisposed to, whether they are carriers of those genetic diseases, and even tell you about medical conditions of which your dog is clear.
Some tests can also estimate the physical characteristics of your dog such as their size, their coat color, and even the erectness of their ears.
A Look at How the Test is Conducted
Your dog’s DNA is found in chromosomes inside its cells. Once your dog’s swab with their saliva and cells reaches the lab, these chromosomes are separated from the rest of the cell, leaving behind genes with a genetic code unique to your dog. The next step is to analyze the genetic markers by running them through a large database and comparing your dog’s genetic code to that of purebred dogs. This is how the lab can find information about your dog’s origins, and it's also how they can find out more about your dog’s health.
How Accurate Are These Tests?
Most companies offering dog DNA tests state that their tests are 95-99% accurate. They leave a little room for error, but the bigger factor that influences the accuracy of the test is the size of the database to which they are comparing your dog’s genetic markers.
The bigger the database, the more information you can expect to get about your dog’s breed and health. Some companies offer a comparison to 100 breeds while others compare your dog’s DNA to around 350 dog breeds. The same goes for medical conditions.
If you’re screening your dog for genetic diseases or mutations, it’s important to remember that the results of a dog DNA test are not a substitute for the diagnosis of a veterinarian. Rather, view them as a supplement and a guideline that can highlight potential health issues to keep an eye out for. Just because your dog carries the gene of a certain condition doesn't mean they actually have that condition. Still, knowing the health conditions your dog may be predisposed to can help you adapt your dog’s care plan to possibly help prevent the onset of those conditions.
All in all, dog DNA tests can teach you some interesting things about your dog’s breed, their appearance, and their behavior. If you learn from the test that your dog is part terrier, you can finally understand why they seem genetically wired to chase squirrels and have energy levels that go from zero to 100 miles per hour in a second.
These tests can offer valuable insights about your dog. Why not give it a go and find out all there is to know about your canine companion?
