Is Dog DNA Cool or Not?

Being an owner of two mixed breed dogs, I've often wondered "What breed are they?" It is the question of every mixed breed owner. Dogs that look like purebreds to dogs that have no distinguishable characteristics of any breed. Then a couple years ago I saw an ad for Dog DNA Testing, so I sent for the kit and tested Cupcake, of course, when we adopted Skye we had her tested too.

For anyone interested in testing their dog, here's how it works, first you contact a Dog DNA Testing Lab like  Wisdom Panel . The kit will cost $60-$79 and contains two swabs, labels, instructions, and return envelope. Your part is very easy, swab your dog between the cheek and gum, place it in the sterile return pouch and mail it back to the lab. Then all you do is register online and you will get the results in about two or three weeks.

The results will come in the form of a chart showing the make of you dog's grandparents and parents, it will also break down the mixed breeds and their percentage. In addition, you will get a history and traits of  you dogs prominent breed.

As for our results:

          Cupcake

Border Collie
Rottweiler crossed with
Vizsla and German Shepard
other breeds include  
White Swiss Shepard, Kuvasz, and Field Spaniel


It's always suggested that whole pack gathers for the opening of the results. Cupcake and Skye were very excited to hear their breed makeup and we were amazed the breeds that they were mixed with.  Since we tested them and read about their breed mixture, we can identify traits that are associated with their breed makeup.
                                                                                                                                                                             Skye

                                                 
   Border Collie
   crossed with
   Boxer and Samoyed   
other breeds include Icelandic Sheepdog and  Australian Cattle Dog                                                                                                                         


My opinion of  Dog DNA Testing is worth the cost and very cool.

Meet Skye

Chili was my friend and the best dog, there will forever be only one chili and he will forever be within my heart and in spirit. His passing was hard to take and I grieved heavily for a week. But my nature as a lover of dogs made me yearn for another companion so I ventured to the shelters in search of another fur friend.

For me, selecting is all about connections, a meeting of spirits mingling together on first impressions, so after visiting numerous shelters and humane societies within two counties with no success, I visited the Manatee County Animal Services (the pound) and found--Skye.

Skye is a four years old  Australian Shepard mix.
Her story  of abuse centers on her always being caged and used to continually produce puppies. She was then dumped on the street and was found by Animal Services wandering in a field. Besides testing positive for heart worms, she is in good health.

On the bright side, Skye is very gentle, laid back, very smart, a fast learner, and was very happy to have a sister (Cupcake) and a pack mom (Nadine). Now she frolics in the yard, plays with toys and her sister, enjoys basking in the sun, laying on the bed, and driving around town with her head out the window catching the wind.. No more puppies or cages, from going to the beach to barking and eating biscuits she's loving her forever home.

  For me and Skye, our connections was one of want and and need and our bond grows stronger every day.