Dog DNA Tests – Buyer’s Guide
If you own a purebred dog, then congratulations, you can get any information you need about your pooch from the internet. There isn’t much guesswork involved in figuring out which foods your dogs can safely eat, how it should be trained, and which disease it’s prone to.
Unfortunately, we’re not all purebred owners, and if your little bud is a mutt, finding such info can be challenging. That’s where dog DNA tests come in to save the day.
Dog DNA tests are designed to determine the breeds that went into making a certain mongrel. Not only that, but they can also trace the ancestry of the dog up to its great grandparents.
Knowing which breeds went into the making of your dog will help you figure out its diet, training routine, as well as health precautions that you should take to avoid certain hereditary illnesses. Furthermore, the genetic revelation will help you identify behavioral patterns and tendencies of your dog and the ideal body weight and size that it should reach.
Avoid Inbreeding
Inbreeding, if not studied and managed correctly, can be dangerous for the offspring, as they may inherit bad traits from their parents if they’re closely related. It’s basically a game of probability, and while inbreeding in and of itself is not a bad thing, doing it without prior management isn’t a good idea. That’s why you need to check your dog’s ancestry before allowing it to mate with another dog.
Unveil Health-Related Issues
Dog DNA tests have come a long way since their invention. Although they originally started as a way to know your dog’s breed, they can be currently used to identify the potential illnesses and diseases that can affect your pooch specifically based on its genetic disposition. That way, you can take the necessary precautions to prevent such conditions. After all, prevention is always better than cure.
Discover Your Dog’s Behavioral Tendencies
Just like humans, each dog has a different personality. Some love playing around and meeting new people, while others prefer sticking with their owner only. Personality traits can also be identified thanks to DNA testing.
You can use all of that data to provide a better life for your companion, and, therefore, keep it by your side for as long as possible, which is why testing your pooch’s DNA is essential for both of you.
Factors That Affect Dog DNA Tests
Three factors affect the accuracy of the results of a dog DNA test: the quality of the sample, the brand’s breed database, and the covered genetic markers. In other words, getting an accurate analysis depends on both the user and the testing kit.
Sample’s Quality
The quality of the sample will depend on your own carefulness while taking it. Here are the instructions for getting the samples properly, which should be almost the same for all brands:
- Get the swab out of the pocket carefully.
- Swab the inside of your dog’s cheek for 20 seconds or so.
- Put the swab back into the packaging and leave it to dry for 5 minutes or so.
- If you’re using an Embark swab, shake it for 10 seconds inside the provided container.
- Repeat the previous steps for the second swab.
- Activate the DNA test online, then write the confirmation number onto the label.
- Stick the label on the swab sleeve.
- Place the swabs in the sleeve and don’t seal it to avoid compromising the sample.
- Place the sleeve in the container and seal it.
- Mail the samples to the provided address and wait for the results.
Instructions may differ a little depending on the brand, so make sure to read the included giddiness thoroughly to get a high-quality sample. Remember, the more careful you are while taking the sample, the more accurate the results are going to be.
You may be tempted to skip a step or do another faster, but that can lead to “user error,” which is the term used to describe when the inaccuracy of a DNA test is caused by the user.
Breed Database
While some tests have a breed panel of fewer than 100 breeds, others exceed the 250-breed mark. Obviously, the more breeds a test covers, the more accurate the results are going to be. That said, you also need to factor in the genetic markers the test includes.
If you have a mutt canine, you ought to get a test that has a comprehensive database, especially if his or her parents are mutts as well.
Genetic Markers
A genetic marker is a DNA structure or sequence that’s used to identify different breeds. By studying the similarities and differences between the different genetic markers of your dog, researchers can get a clearer idea regarding the personal traits of the pet. Just like breeds, the more genetic markers a test kit covers, the better the results are going to be.
It goes without saying that choosing the best dog DNA test and following the provided instructions thoroughly can only lead to accurate results, so make sure to take care of both carefully.
Embark VS Wisdom Panel VS FindMyPet: Which Is the Best Brand?
Whether you’re planning to get your dog’s DNA tested out of curiosity, because you couldn’t figure out its mix of breeds, or to screen for any medical conditions it may suffer from, getting the best dog DNA test brand is a must.
Although all three of the reviewed brands are worth every penny, the Embark test is the clear winner because of the accuracy it provides. That said, the Embark kit is a bit expensive, so it may not be a suitable choice for many users. If you’re on a budget, the Wisdom Panel 3.0 is a solid runner-up that’s more affordable.
The FindMyPet dog DNA test is also a great choice to consider, but it’s less accurate than the other two, which is why we recommend picking it as your best dog DNA test only if you can’t afford Embark or Wisdom Panel.
