"What kind of dog is that?"
By jillbeth
@jillbeth (2705)
United States
September 19, 2007 7:49am CST
If you get asked that question a lot about your dog, now you can know the answer! There is a DNA test now that can tell you the heritage of your mixed breed dog. It is called the Canine Heritage Breed Test and you can order a kit online. The test will analyze your dog's DNA and tell you which breeds he is made of. This can be good information to have because some breeds of dog have genetic predispotions to certain conditions, and if you know what breed your dog is, you and your vet can take steps to keep your dog healthier. The test is also good for those who buy "designer dogs" since you may be able to verify that your dog is actually what the breeder says it is. Many unscrupulous breeders will sell common mutts for designer dogs, and let you pay them exhorbitant prices for them! The test currently can identify 38 common breeds, but the company is working on a new version that may identify 101 breeds.
4 responses
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
19 Sep 07
That is very interesting. I can see a lot of advantages in it. I have two daschunds. I know that this breed is prone to back problems. I guess this test would be good, like you say, in that respect for medical conditions. I find it funny how people are buying "designer" dogs. I remember when those were accidents. Your poodle got to my cocker spaniel. Those used to be the mutts you could not sell. Now they are "designer dogs". Ha.
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
21 Sep 07
That's correct, but if you have a dog that is a mix of breeds who are genetically predisposed, and you know what breed is in the mix, you and your vet can be aware of a tendency toward certain health issues, and take steps to delay or give early treatment for such conditions.
Genetic maladies often require a gene from both parents to show up in the offspring. This is one reason why mix breed mutts tend to be healthier, the chance of getting the gene from both parents may be smaller.
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
19 Sep 07
As to dachshunds, I do not think this is meant to diagnose back problems. It is only meant to determine or guess at "breed make up" for the heinz 57 type dog where you really can't say for sure what breed combo they might be.
1 person likes this
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I read that!
However, I wonder how "right" it can be. There are many breeds that were developed by crossing breeds over generations. Would the dog genetically give a positive for its breed or what it was extracted from? A greyhound and other ancient breeds would surely be identified in a mixed breed dog. But what happens to the long haired dachshund. Legend has it that the long haired dachshund was developed a few hundred years ago and over time, by outcrosing small setters with dachshunds. Would they show up as dachshunds or dachshunds with some setter? or would there be a "genetic market" for long haired dachshund.
Maybe though this would be a good thing to convince people they can get a designer dog right from the pound rather than going to a breeder.
I think a lot of this has to do with the desire people have to "belong", "fit in" and say they have a certain breed rather than a loveable mutt.
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
19 Sep 07
Those are some good questions that I don't have answers for! I think they go by the current standard for the breed. And they can only identify 38 breeds, so they may not be able to tell you all the breeds involved in a dog that was a combination of many breeds, or uncommon ones. But it may keep the designer dog breeders accountable if people start demanding refunds when they find out their cross breed dog isn't what it's supposed to be! I agree, many people want a pure breed or designer dog as a status symbol. Designer dogs are actually just mutts, after all. They are not recognized breeds, although I believe the cockapoo group is trying to get AKC recognition. But they have been bred for 30 years. It can take several generations of breeding to establish a standard for a breed.
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
19 Sep 07
Not to hijack, but in response to a point you brought up - I think the comparison between a the 1700s and 1800s and today is that many times people are breeding dogs for purposes where there is a breed of dog that already exists that would fit the purpose. Back in the day, people developed breeds to serve a job or a purpose. Nowadays, it seems to be about ego. There are so many breeds and breed types that already fit the role - people just don't like to research :(
1 person likes this
@breezie (1246)
• Canada
21 Sep 07
That is very interesting. We have a mixed breed 4 month old puppy and really have no idea what she is. When people ask what kind of dog she is I usually ask "What kind of dog isn't she?", lol. We know she has Border Collie and Lab in her but other than that no idea. It would be interesting to know what other breeds she is.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Sep 07
My Petey that I lost last year was a mix of Chihuahua and Pomeranian. He had extremely long legs and looked like a baby deer. When we moved here I actually had the Police Chief and Mayor stop me while I had him out on a leash b/c they thought he was a baby deer. They were amazed at how much he looked like one.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
21 Sep 07
That;'s funny! My Esther is a Chihuahua/Spitz mix (I was told anyway, I haven't had any of my own dogs tested yet) and she got long-legged real fast! She could run and jump like a deer, she was like a wound-up spring! As a puppy she could jump from the ground to my deck, about 3-1/2 feet, without even taking a running jump, just straight up from the ground.
