What’s the makeup of your mutt?

If you didn’t head straight to the breeder to get your pooch, then you may have adopted a dog from the shelter or rescued a stray.  If you brought home a mixed breed, then you have probably tried to guess what breeds he is made up of.  Perhaps he has a bit of Labrador or a touch of Chow.  Now, there is a test available that can give you insight on your pooch’s heritage.  Providing more than just knowledge, this test can be a great help to keep up your dog’s health and aid with obedience training.

 A life sciences company, MetaMorphix, developed a DNA breed test over a year ago.  The original test was able to detect 38 breeds.  This year, they released a new and improved version that can decipher over 100 breeds.  The Canine Heritage Test does not require a trip to the veterinarian; it is easily completed at home.  Basically, you order the test online.  When the kit arrives, you prepare your pooch by not allowing him to eat for half an hour and then making sure his mouth is clean.  This prevents food collecting on the DNA sample.  After filling out a questionnaire, you use the included cotton swab to collect DNA from the inside of your dog’s mouth.  You send the swab and form back to the company in a prepaid envelope.  Within four weeks you will receive a certificate stating the breed.  You can even submit a photo to be included on the certificate for no additional charge.

The test includes many popular and known breeds in the United States and Canada.  Outside of these areas, the test may not be valid since many other breeds exist.  Identifiable breeds include the Afghan Hound, Alaskan Malamute, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Newfoundland, Pointer, Poodle, Siberian Husky, Weimaraner, Yorkshire Terrier, and more.

It sounds so easy, but is it really?  For less than $120, you can figure out your mutt’s heritage.  However, if his “makeup” isn’t part of the 100 identifiable breeds, then the test may find a breed much earlier in the dog’s ancestry, providing strange results.  It’s also important to realize that your dog is not purebred, so he may not look like an award-winning breed.  If the test comes back saying he’s part German Shepherd but his looks portray otherwise, then he still could, in fact, be part German Shepherd.  Since his heritage is mixed, he may not favor one breed over another.  Besides, if you knew what breed he was, why would you use a test?

It seems irrelevant:  does your pooch’s ancestry really matter?  You veterinarian will probably argue in favor of the test.  Many breeds are susceptible to certain medical conditions.  For instance, larger breeds can develop problems with canine bloat and hip dysplasia, while other breeds are at risk for glaucoma and other eye problems.  When people purchase purebreds that are at risk for developing these problems, then they usually take extra precautions when it comes to the pooch’s health.  They may put their dogs on special diets, or have additional tests conducted at each veterinarian visit.  Knowing your dog’s makeup can help your veterinarian tailor a health program for him.

In addition to health insight, the knowing your pooch’s breeds can also give a little insight into his behavior.  Although each animal acts in his own way, common personality traits are often shared within a breed.  Personality and behavior are big factors during obedience training.  When training some breeds require high mental and physical stimulation, while others can learn from simpler programs.  If you identify a puppy’s breeds before training begins, then you can adapt the program to your pooch’s personality and learning tendencies.

Being able to identify your mutt’s ancestry is an interesting idea.  It seems like science fiction; but, in fact, it is now a very real opportunity.  For less than $120, you can find out what your pooch is made of.  Aside from figuring out your pooch, knowing the different breeds can help your veterinarian customize his health plan.  Identifying the breeds can also help you with training, because you can use the pet’s behavior and personality to modify the training program.  But, having your pooch tested is completely up to you.

This article was written by collin walker and provided by Pet Super Store site featuring great deals on dog carriers and pet crates.