Curiosity is not a bad thing when it comes to your pet's ancestry. If you decide to test your dog's DNA, you can buy a testing kit from pet supply stores and chains, or online from websites like Amazon. Discuss any concerns you may have with your veterinarian.
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Last year, the American Kennel Club announced the most popular breeds, according to their registry. At the head of the pack was the Labrador Retriever, followed by the German Shepherd and the Golden Retriever. I’m partial to Beagles, which came in fifth, and Boston Terriers which were twenty-third on the list. Last in line was the Norwegian Lundehund at number 178.
But the most popular dog in the USA? Why, it’s the All-American Mutt, a mixed ancestry animal that can share its heritage with who knows how many different breeds.
We had a little mixed terrier that we found sitting in a patch of ivy beside our house one November morning, so we named her “Ivy”, She was a most unusual-looking animal with a small body, long skinny legs and odd bits of hair hanging off here and there. We often wondered what mix of breeds went into her makeup.
Ivy is just a memory now, but today pet owners can find answers to the question, “what kind of dog IS that?”. All you have to do is purchase a testing kit and send it off to have your furry friend’s DNA analyzed. The cost can range from fifty to a hundred dollars. Most have you swab the inside of your pet’s mouth although at least one requires a blood sample. The difference in price is usually related to the number of breeds the testing company has in its database; and the more breeds to test against, the more accurate the results.
Like me, you may be curious just where your dog came from. But there are valid reasons for knowing what breeds are part of your pet’s DNA. For puppies, you might get a good idea of just how big it will be when it grows up. Or what personality traits it may have. Terriers behave very differently from, say, Retrievers. For any age dog, knowing its DNA may give you (and your veterinarian) valuable information about health tendencies. Some breeds are susceptible to cancer or diabetes, or problems with their joints, heart, eyes.
Being aware of which breeds make up your animal’s DNA could help you and your vet keep your best friend healthy, and part of your family for as long as possible, when you’re speaking of pets.
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