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Why would you want to know your mixed-breed or mongrel make-up? After all, didn’t you rescue a pound dog with the full intent of loving him just the way he is? Of course!! However, the various breeds were developed because they carry certain traits. If your mongrel is part retriever, he will likely tend to retrieve. More importantly, various breeds are prone to specific health risks. Most people are perfectly happy to guess their mongrel make-up based on appearances. But, if you want to know the make-up of your mutt with some precision, VetGen offers one mixed breed identification test, although there are other commercially available options as well.
Mixed Breed Identification Test
Over 25 million mixed-breed dog owners know their dogs…but not as well as they could. With the simple swipe of a cheek swab, Wisdom Panel® Insights™ can determine the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 185 breeds, the largest database on the market. Within three weeks, dog owners will be e-mailed an official Ancestry Report that reveals the dog’s genetic background.
A dog’s ancestry can influence him in surprising ways. Obvious and not-so-obvious physical traits plus behaviors like digging, herding and barking all come from the various breeds in a dog’s family tree. Once an owner understands a dog’s natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit
What will my dog’s report tell me?
Wisdom Panel® Insights™ detects the breeds in your dog’s ancestry. Your report can be interpreted in the following way:
- Parent:
- A breed that represents approximately 50% of your dog’s DNA. You are likely to see the most physical and behavioral traits from this breed. Dogs with mixed-breed parents will not have a breed represented at this level.
- Grandparent:
- A breed that represents approximately 25% of your dog’s DNA. You may see some physical and behavioral traits from this breed. Dogs with a very mixed ancestry may not have a breed represented at this level.
- Great-Grandparent:
- A breed that represents approximately 12.5% of your dog’s DNA. You are unlikely to see many traits from this breed unless they are dominant. When you understand your dog’s natural tendencies, you can tailor a training, exercise and nutrition program to his needs.
Most mixed breed identification test options are under $100. Would you want to know your mongrel make-up specifically enough to pay for testing? Or, have you had your mutt tested to determine which breeds he stems from? Share your stories with us below!