Dog DNA Tests

Dog DNA tests are performed for a variety of reasons.

They can be used to check that a dog is related to the sire and dam that its pedigree shows it to be.
They can check for specific genetic diseases and owners of mongrels can see what breeds when into their dog’s ancestry.

How are dog DNA tests performed?

Taking a sample for a dog DNA test is painless for the dog. Usually all that is required is a swipe of saliva. The swipe pad is then placed in a bag and mailed off to the laboratory performing the tests. Many of these are private firms but some universities such as the University of California Davis also perform dog gene tests. All of these tests require a fee.

Proof of Parentage

National dog breed registrations and dog show associations do not yet require a dog DNA test to prove that they are the offspring of the dogs listed on their pedigrees or even if they are a purebred. Dogs and puppies are sold on an honor basis only. The only way to be sure the dog is a purebred of the breed it has been sold as is to get a DNA test.

Proving that a dog is the offspring of the parents on the registration papers is a little more complicated, because the breeder has to comply and get saliva samples from her dogs in order to compare results. Some breeders will refuse to cooperate. Although DNA tests are required before many horse breeds can receive registration papers, this does not yet happen with dogs.

Testing For Diseases

Testing for genetic diseases in breeding dogs is done on a strictly voluntary basis and is not required by any national dog breed registry or kennel club. All breeders are encouraged to DNA test their dogs to see if they carry the genetic markers of diseases known for their breeds, even if they show no symptoms of the disease.
Breeders can also test both sire and dam to be sure neither of them carry genes that may lethally combine or cause colorations unacceptable for their breed's registry.

Diseases that can be tested through DNA analysis include:

Hemophilia B

Von Willebrand’s disease

Type 2 (a bleeding disorder)

narcolepsy

multiple sclerosis

sensitivity to common canine medications such as heartworm preventatives

progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness.

Testing Mixed Breeds

Perhaps the most exciting dog DNA test is determining what purebreds went into the mix of a pet mongrel. Mongrels are the most common type of dog available and have the charm of being unique, as opposed to purebreds, which tend to be alike. However, because they are so alike they also have known health tendencies to watch out for.

For example, Labrador retrievers are known for getting many health problems such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. This is thought to be due to their extremely large appetites. It is very easy for a Labrador retriever to become obese. If an owner of a mongrel dog discovers that the dog is part Labrador retriever, then the owner needs to pay careful attention to the dog’s weight so it will not become obese and then be prone to painful health problems in the future.

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