Doggy DNA Tests for the Canine Curious

"What kind of dog is that?"

For some dog owners, that's a simple question requiring a one or two-word answer. But for those of us with mixed-breed dogs, affectionately called "mutts," the answer is essentially, "I dunno."

"Our best guess is that he's some of kind of Yorkie mix," I'll reply when asked about my 8-pound dog, Jasper, who I adopted from a shelter through Petfinder. People will squint at my dog as if he were a Rorschach ink blot, then offer their opinions. "He looks like he's got some Schnauzer in him," they might say. I've -- or rather, Jasper has --- also been told that he's likely part poodle, Maltese, Havanese, Shih Tzu, broken-haired Jack Russell terrier or Chinese crested.

The questions have stoked my curiosity to the point that I'm dying to give my dog a DNA test, but is it worth it?

The Canine Heritage Breed Test kit sells for $119.95 on their website and will test for over 100 different breeds. It requires that I swab my dog's cheek and mail in the sample.

Another option is the Wisdom Panel Mixed-Breed Analysis, which costs $124.99, requires a veterinarian to draw a blood sample from my dog, and will test for 157 different breeds. It boasts a 90% accuracy rate.

"Don't waste your money," warns New York City-based veterinarian Dr. Matthew Cooper -- not the answer I want to hear. I'm certain one of the tests will reveal a secret even my dog doesn't know. What about the health-related benefits of ascertaining a dog's breed or breeds? "There could be some benefit in that," he says. "But only if the test results are accurate."

Tell us! Have you given your dog a DNA test? What did you think of the results?

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Tags: dna, dna-testing, dogs