Ladies Morgan and Mathilda Wood-Menzies / Erin McCarthy While the American Kennel Club (AKC) does offer some activities for mixed-breed dogs to take part in, the organization only formally recognizes purebred dogs on its official registry (sorry Puggle lovers). Though designer dogs are extremely popular, they're essentially just fancy mutts. Where it gets a little confusing is when you come to designer or hybrid dogs, where two specific breeds are intentionally cross-bred in order to create a sort of sub-breed that mixes the best traits of both pups (like mating a poodle with a Labrador to get a Labradoodle). Whereas purebred dogs have registration papers that confirm the dog's single-breed pedigree, mutts aren't registered and each of their parents could be a mix of several breeds themselves. Meaning that, as the latter name suggests, they are made up of more than one breed of dog. But what exactly is a mutt? Is it the same as a mixed-breed dog? And how does it differ from other dog breeds?įirst off: The fact that National Mutt Day is also referred to as National Mixed Breed Dog Day should tell you something-namely, that mutts and mixed-breeds are basically the same thing. In 2005, animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige created the day, which is acknowledged once again on December 2 (because all those good boys and girls deserve two days of nonstop treats and belly rubs). Typically, it takes several weeks for the analysis to be completed.July 31 is National Mutt Day, a day to celebrate everything great about mutts. Be sure to research the diversity of samples being used in the algorithm to generate results. Some tests’ breed panels only contain 50-60 breeds, and will not be as detailed as those with 100 breeds or more. The accuracy largely depends on the number of markers your dog’s DNA is measured against and the amount of breeds in the panel. Once the sample has been collected, you mail it to the address provided for analysis.Īt the lab, the DNA is extracted and studied for genetic markers that are compared against both a breed database and with other dogs. The process is rather simple, and most commonly involves swabbing the inside of your dog’s cheek with a special brush to collect cheek cells in his saliva. How Dog DNA Tests Workĭogs have about 20,000-25,000 genes that are located along 78 chromosomes – compared to only 46 in humans.ĭog DNA kits contain everything you need to gather and prepare a sample for testing. Knowledge is essential to helping our companions live longer, healthier lives. Be sure to research and understand the breeds discovered in the findings of your dog’s DNA results. Knowing the genetic behavior of your dog can assist in the ways that you live, train, and work with your dog. The American Kennel Club (AKC) places dog breeds within seven groups to account for different behaviors: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy and working. Because these types of canines are athletic, intelligent and diligent, it’s best to make sure they get plenty of exercise and are stimulated mentally to prevent them from becoming bored. For instance, dogs which fall into the “herding” group, like border collies and shepherds, were originally bred to herd cattle and sheep by stalking, staring, nipping and barking. While all dogs have their own personalities, different breeds tend to have characteristics that define them. The ability to identify your dog’s breed can also explain traits and habits that may have otherwise left you scratching your head. Knowing if your dog is more prone to breed-specific conditions can help you take the appropriate preventative measures and make more informed decisions for his special needs to avoid potential health problems. While the results aren’t as accurate as a true diagnostic test, the material that is provided can help owners and veterinarians predict or rule out certain disorders. Canine DNA samples can be screened for specific diseases and risk of predisposition to deficiencies connected to the blood, immune, hormonal, vision, kidney and bladder, brain and spinal cord, heart, muscular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, skin and connective tissue and skeletal systems, among others. Beyond Breed Identification HealthĪside from providing a breakdown of the breeds that can be found in your dog, many tests are able to report on genetic health information. They work if you own a mixed breed or to confirm the genealogy of a purebred, and everything in-between! But gaining knowledge of why your pooch looks the way he does is not the only useful benefit of dog DNA testing. A canine DNA test can shed some insight on your dog’s family tree. Now, with the availability of DNA tests, there’s no need to wonder. We once had to make a best guess about our dog’s ancestry.
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