DNA Testing for Dogs

DNA Testing For Dogs

Many Ugly Mutts dog fosters end up adopting their fostered dog.  Alex being such a caring person opened his heart to Falcor a little mixed breed dog that was very ill when he came into our care.  We had no idea what breed he might be but named him Falcor after the Good Luck Dragon from the film “The Never Ending Story.”  Alex cared for Falcor and as many of us find, when you put your heart and soul into a dog, it is impossible to give them up.  And so, Falcor became “Buddy” and is now a happy pup.

We recently received this update from Alex and he wanted to share an idea with everyone which we think is very cool:

I recieved a “DNA My dog” test from my folks for my birthday – I’ll be submitting the swabs shortly, and should know what breeds Falcor really is composed of! (my guess is Terrier/Springer Spaniel cross) The website is http://www.dnamydog.com/ – I don’t know how accurate it was, but it was a great gift idea to anyone fostering a mutt!

The picture I’ve attached is taken about a month after I recieved him – He’s quite a bit thicker now, and has grown about an inch taller!

Thank-you Ugly Mutts, and thank you to Karlene for having me look after Falcor!
Alex Sudnikowicz

On a side note:  Some shelters are starting to use the DNA testing when a dog is being slated for euthanasia after being labeled as a “Pitbull” and there has actually been at least one dog “Mindy” that was saved due to the DNA testing.

Although we don’t know how accurate these tests are, one thing we do know is that they can’t pick up that a dog is a “purebred” as most purebreds today are actually bred from several other breeds.  Here in Canada where purebreds are much rarer than in the United States, most Pitbulls would come back labeled as mixes of several other breeds.  How that will affect the ban and people having their dogs confiscated and euthanized I am not sure but if it saves even one dog, then I say it’s a good thing.

Here is one person’s results after having their dogs tested:

“I have 2 dogs. My female was sold to me as a pitbull / olde English bulldog mix. I also have a male Olde English Bulldogge. I tested both of their DNA’s. Bulldog was 100% for the male (used as QA ref.)
The DNA results for the female are:
up to 74% Boston Terrier, up to 19% Bulldog, Parson Russell Terrier and Scottish Terrier. I suppose the Bull and Terrier cross gives the Pitbull traits.”