Every dog is unique. Nowadays you can find out which varieties are present in a cross through a DNA test. If you have always been curious about the genetic origin of your dog, you can quickly and easily have the breed composition determined by means of the dog DNA test from Wisdom Panel Insights. This test is specifically designed for dogs with a combination of breeds, not to confirm purity purity in a purebred dog. The test can be used on both adult dogs and puppies.
Crossing
A dog can be a cross of two different breeds. This is the simplest crossing. But it can also happen that the parents are already crosses. And the great-grandparents too and so on. The more complex the crossing, the more difficult it will be to determine the origin of your dog. Physical features are becoming more common and can even be misleading.
Why would you want to know the genetic origin of your dog?
To begin with, it’s just really nice to know where your dog got its physical features. Why does he have a long coat, a curly tail or erect ears? Sometimes you have certain ideas of your own, but the outcome can be very surprising. You can also better understand why a dog behaves in a certain way if you know what breed types are in your dog. For example, why is he so watchful or does he like nothing more than swimming? Or why is he just hunting or digging holes?
If you as a dog owner know what different dog breeds are in your dog, this offers a number of advantages. You can choose a parenting method that is better suited to your dog. You can look for activities or a dog sport that matches the behavior or character of your dog. By being able to respond better to the needs of a dog, you promote the relationship between you and your dog. As an additional advantage, there is the possibility to delve into any breed-related hereditary defects, such as joint disorders or eye disorders.
How does it work?
You purchase the dog DNA test from Wisdom Panel Insights. The DNA test costs an average of 85 euros (in 2016) and can be purchased at various (online) pet stores. You can register online via the website www.wisdompanel.com. You can activate your DNA test package online using the identification code included in the test package. The test package contains two sticks with brushes. Wait until about 2 hours after a meal or snack before collecting DNA. Make sure there are no food debris between your dog’s cheek and gums. Do not touch the brushes with your hands. Take turns inserting the sticks into your dog’s mouth and twist the bristles against the inside of your dog’s cheek (don’t scrape the teeth). Rotate the brush firmly against the inside of the cheek. You do this for fifteen seconds per bar. In this way, cheek cells are collected for the DNA analysis. Let the sticks air dry for five minutes and then put them in the protective pouch. The rods must be sent directly in the return envelope to the laboratory in England together with a fully completed DNA sample form. This is where the analysis of your dog’s DNA sample takes place.
Your dog’s DNA is compared to the DNA of other dog breeds. The database contains (in 2016) about 200 dog breeds. You can find a full list on the Wisdom Panel Insights website. There is a chance that there is a breed in your dog that is not yet in the database. Or that part of your dog’s lineage falls outside of the three generations tested by Wisdom Panel Insights, being your dog’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. As soon as the laboratory has received the DNA sample, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. From that moment on you can follow the progress of the DNA test online. Within three weeks you will receive an email and you can download an extensive report about your dog.
Official certified report
In the report you will find:
- An overview of the different breeds discovered in your dog. A parent contributes 50% of their DNA, a grandparent about 25% and a great-grandparent about 12.5%.
- General information about the dog breeds found, such as a piece of history, appearance and behavior.
- If any portion of your dog’s lineage falls outside of the three generations being tested, that portion will give you an overview of the five breeds with the strongest statistical probability of being in your dog. The varieties are listed in order of strength with the most likely at the top of the list.
- Explanation of the influence of a combination of breeds on the appearance of a dog.
- An estimate of your adult dog’s weight.
- A certificate of authenticity regarding your dog’s genetic background.