DNA Results Are Back: With Surprises!
August 5, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under News
Last month we told you that we were DNA testing our dog Irie. We used the Canine Heritage ® Breed Test, a DNA test that checks for the presence of over 100 breeds in the dog’s genetic makeup.
The test was very simple to administer at home using a small swab to gather cells from the inside of Irie’s cheek (similar to brushing teeth…but brushing the inside of mouth instead.) You can see photos of the swabbing on our original post.
We also asked readers to guess the breeds they thought would make up Irie’s heritage. Online, via email, and on Twitter, readers guessed breeds that ranged from Rhodesian Ridgeback to Lab to Weimaraner.
Well, the results are back, and they were a surprise! (Last year we tested our other dog, Tiki, and her results were also a surprise!) Irie turned out to be more of a mix of breeds than we suspected…and breeds we hadn’t guessed, at that.
We received this Certificate of DNA Breed Analysis from Canine Heritage Breed Test:
The test revealed Irie’s DNA makeup:
Primary: This field was empty, meaning that neither of Irie’s parents were purebreds. This isn’t unusual at all; most mixed breed dogs are mixes of mixes.
Secondary: This field reports breeds that are easily recognizable in the dog but are less than the majority of the dog’s DNA. Irie’s test came back with two results: Labrador Retriever and English Coonhound. (Lab wasn’t a surprise but English Coonhound was! We’d thought about the possibility of her being a Redbone Coonhound based on her solid red coat…and the fact that she loves to follow a scent…but we hadn’t thought of the chance of her being an English Coonhound.)
In the Mix: The In the Mix category reveals breeds that are low but measurable in the DNA. These are breeds that might–or might not–impact the dog’s appearance or behavior. Irie’s test came back with one result: German Shorthair Pointer. (This one was also a surprise! We can see the GSP influence in her almond-shaped eyes and distinct cheekbones, though.)
In looking back, we probably shouldn’t have been surprised by Irie’s breed makeup–although she’s happy hanging out on the couch with her family, she loves nothing better than a long walk in the scent-filled woods.
We already knew what kind of dog Irie is…a really good dog…but now we know more about the mystery of her ancestry that helped create such a special member of our family.
For More Information:
- visit Canine Heritage® Breed Test
- visit the Facebook fan page for Canine Heritage; you’ll find photos of more tested dogs and their results
or via
