Just last month we told you about the Wisdom Panel MX DNA test we had run on our former shelter dog, Tiki. Well, the results are back: and they’re a total surprise!
We had thought Tiki, a white with red ticking, 40-ish pound, smart, sweeter than sweet dog was a border collie mix. We believed she might have traces of some other breeds like Australian cattle dog, Australian shepherd, or even some type of spitz, to explain her curled tail.
Wrong.
The results we received from Mars Veterinary showed a far different ancestry for Tiki! Although her heritage was too mixed to have a “significant” amount of any breed, she did have clear ancestry of two breeds: Doberman Pinscher and Poodle! The test also showed distant traces of Bulldog and Shetland Sheepdog (which, of all the four, wasn’t too much of a surprise.) The report also showed “faint signals from other breeds which are not strong enough to identify.”
For many dog owners, the test is a way to learn more about potential traits and behaviors of their dog. The results offers three levels of detection. For Tiki, the results were:
You Should see traits from: ——-
You May see traits from: Doberman Pinscher and Poodle
There is a slight Chance of seeing traits from: Bulldog and Shetland Sheepdog
The test results also came with profiles of each of the identifiable breeds detected in Tiki’s genetics
Although it’s a little disappointing that we can’t determine the most significant factors in her genetics, it’s not unusual. According to the report from Mars Veterinary, “Results like Tiki’s are found in about 70% of mixed breed dogs in the U.S.” Tiki’s parents, like their offspring, were mixed breed dogs themselves so there are no dominant breeds that make up the majority of her heritage.
Nonetheless, the results will be helpful. We’ve sent our vet a copy of the results for Tiki’s file so we can be aware of any problems especially prominent in her breeds. Also, the test helps satisfy some of our curiosity about Tiki’s life before she arrived at our home.
In all, it confirms to us what we, like so many dog lovers who now have shelter dogs in their families, already know: our dog is one of a kind.
Puppylove
December 9, 2008 at 4:07 pmI know several people who have had this test done, and the results are questionable at best and a scam at worst, they ALWAYS seem to say the ancestry is really mixed. If I were you, I wouldn't put to much stock in it, and instead go with your instincts!
Joe
December 10, 2008 at 8:46 amWe have used all the places and we now refer all our clients to the DNA Diagnostics Center. They are the ones you see on TV doing the human DNA but they also have a Pet DNA site http://www.vetdnacenter.com/
We have found them to be accurate and reasonably priced…and they can do it with a cheek swab sample.
Paris and John
August 29, 2009 at 9:06 amWe've had so much fun knowing Tiki's breeds. Whenever anyone asks "what kind of dog is she?" we ask them their guesses…then tell them the results! Everyone's usually surprised! Since we've known the results, though, we have seen some breed characteristics in her, both physical and behavioral.
Anonymous
January 22, 2010 at 8:51 amhello i was very intrested in your dogs dna test can you please tell me did you have a graph or diagram with the results thank you pam, please let me know if you have.
Paris and John
January 22, 2010 at 9:25 amYes, we received a diagram that shows Tiki's results. The first diagram on this page (just below Tiki's photo) is the diagram of her DNA results! We also received PDFs that told us more about the breeds that make up Tiki's heritage.
Pintu
August 13, 2010 at 12:01 amoh Tiki, its always nice to know that u are more from Doberman !