Posts tagged "dna"

By Dr. Patty Khuly, via Vetstreet

The entire canine genome has been mapped. How cool is that? Somewhere around 24,000 genes and their respective locations have been identified on a dog's 78 chromosomes. Even cooler: the many ways we've put this rich information to good use.

Breed Identification
This type of genetic testing has been all over the news in recent years. It beats me why people are so keen to know which breeds are responsible for their dogs' inner beauty, but if it helps someone better understand her pet, I'm all for it.

SEE ALSO: 12 World Record Cats & Dogs

Stool Identification
There are those of us who just aren't willing to handle our pets' poop, which is how it ends up befouling our walkways and fancy kicks. As a result, some of these owners are being forced to submit their dogs to a cheek swab, so the DNA can be recorded. When stray poop happens, DNA in the stool is compared to logged samples and –– voila! –– the culprit can be identified, apprehended or fined. In one town in Israel and plenty of multidwelling complexes throughout the United States, this tool has been successful.

"Hey, what kind of dog is that?"

Thinking of getting your dog one of those DNA tests? You might end up finding out more than you want to know...

It seems so logical. Dog is man's best friend, diamonds are a girl's best friend, so combine the two and you have DNA2Diamonds.

DNA2Diamonds is a service that extracts "the unique DNA carbon from a lock of hair (or cremated ashes)" to build a personalized diamond that's said to be identical to a traditional earth-mined stone. Hey, in these days of recycling it makes sense to bring your beloved pet to life within a precious stone, albeit it's a bit creepy like owners who stuff their deceased pets.

To be fair, DNA2Diamonds mostly caters to couples who want to create diamonds out of their partner's living locks.

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"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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