Finding Your Dog’s Family Tree!

Who’s Your Daddy? (Dog Daddy, that is!)

Many of us have already tapped into our own ancestry to find roots and homesteads and dates of our relatives’ immigration of long ago. From that, we can construct a Family Tree! We may have been surprised to see just where our roots began!  On some sites, one can find historical data of the whys and wheres of these waves of immigration.  So how about your dog?  Do you wonder from which breed they are related?  How about health concerns specific to different breeds? Maybe 2021 is the year you would like to find your dog’s Family Tree! and we have compiled some of the best Dog DNA kits for 2021!

Before you buy…

Ask yourself what is the end goal: to find out about genetic health problems, reveal the breed(s) within your dog, or both?  Bear in mind that not all DNA tests are what they seem.  When looking for breed heritage and the company asks for a picture of your dog, they may be giving you answers based on the photo rather than actual DNA.  So a reputable company is a must!

How Much?

Since kits cost between $60-$75 on the low-end and $150-$200 on the high end, it is essential to know for what purpose you are testing.  If it is just for fun, most of these kits will do the job. Some of these companies have a lower database of breeds, and results may be debatable.  Mid-level kits ($80-$120) offer a better breed determination, but not much regarding health screening.  The high-end Dog DNA kits offer both the more accurate breed determination and health screening, based on the number of genetic markers tested.

Reasons for testing

As mentioned, you might just want to know Fido’s family tree for fun. Other reasons are perhaps you have adopted a dog and know nothing of his age or background.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) cautions pet owners about using these tests to make health-related predictions about your dog.  For example, if test results show a certain marker for a canine disease or condition, it does not follow that your dog HAS that disease, but may be a carrier.  Canine genetic research requires peer-reviewed and transparent investigations for it to be good science. Some health conditions are associated with multiple genes.  So if the DNA kit only tests for one of those genes, the result may be that the pet owner falsely believes their dog is “in the clear”.  Sadly, there are cases where a pet owner has had their dog euthanized on the basis of faulty interpretations of the genetic testing!   Companies that offer post-results consultation and support are necessary and valuable to the pet parent.  And as a standard, find a reputable veterinarian whom you trust.

Here are some Dog DNA Kits for 2021 with Pros & Cons of each!

Embark Dog DNA Test

Our take: The best of the best. This comprehensive test covers both health and breed and is a long-standing top pick of ours. You’ll get results within three to five weeks.
What we like: Created in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Uses a database of over 350 dog breeds and types, and 190-plus genetic diseases.
What we dislike: Some questions about accuracy of breed heritage results in a handful of cases.

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test

Our take: Affordable yet reliable, it tests your dog’s heritage from 350 breeds and screens for multidrug sensitivity. This one is the best bang for your buck.

What we like: Works from a database of 350-plus breeds, types and varieties. Get clear results in pie chart form. Reasonably priced.

Orivet Geno Pet 5.0 Dog DNA Test

(Source: https://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/eedition/page-a14/page_d0f5a99b-c7e8-502d-b491-55d69aa953b6.html )

https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-dna-tests-reviews/