DNA Identity Crisis!

by Sandy Lurins

Mutts often have mysterious or spotty back stories, and their human companions like to know as much as they can about their dog's breed composition. But those of us who have gotten our mutt from a shelter or rescue are often left wondering what that dog labeled a "Hound X" really is.

But now, thanks to the wonders of modern science, we have an option. A simple blood test (and a few dollars) later, and you can hold in your hands a report that identifies the detectable breeds that are in your dog's genetic makeup.

Mutt owners who are anything like me have probably made some guesses about their dog's breed composition. With Bennie, I was told by San Francisco SPCA that he was a "Lab X." But that didn't explain his brindle paws and muzzle, and it certainly didn't explain why he was totally averse to playing fetch or swimming. Very early on, a friend who was partial to Great Danes assured me that Bennie was part Dane, rattling off his very Dane-like traits and pointing to the big knob on the back of his head. And if he was part Dane, what else was he?

The great DNA adventure

There are basically two types of DNA tests marketed today for identification of breed composition in mixed-breed dogs. (Other tests are available that can confirm family lineage and parentage for purebreds.) The first test can be done at home by the owner; it involves using a swab to get cells from your dog's mouth. You then send the samples off and get a report back. These tests claim to recogize about 40 breeds.

The other test, which has been marketed since late 2007 by Mars Veterinary as Wisdom Panel MX (www.wisdompanel.com), is based on taking a blood sample for the DNA. This requires a vet visit, and in fact a limited numbers of vets offer the test at this time. Because Wisdom Panel claims to detect more than 130 AKC recognized breeds, it touts itself as the most comprehensive test available.
Thinking that I might get greater insight into Bennie's heritage, I decided to have the test done. I also invited Bennie's friend Toast to participate. Toast is one of those dogs that people can't figure out. Adopted last year from Marin Humane Society via one of the Central Valley shelters, he's a soft, white dog with striking markings.

So after a little poking around to find a vet who could do the tests, we trekked off to Sonoma Humane's veterinary clinic with Bennie and Toast. There, Dr. Dan Famini and his team drew the blood and sent the samples off to Mars for testing. And we all waited.

Be careful what you ask for

Mars markets the Wisdom Panel via a web site that touts the benefits of knowing your dog's breeds, claiming it will "help veterinarians work with owners to develop optimal care and well-being plans for their canine companions and ultimately strengthen the pet-owner bond [emphasis by Mars].
One concern that came up when I discussed DNA testing with rescue and shelter people is that some dog owners might surrender a dog if they found out, for example, that it was part pit bull-even if the dog had no temperament issues. And Pat Engel, a dog trainer who had her dog, Lucy, tested, said "...knowing or not knowing what Lucy ‘is' doesn't change how I train her, or love her. She's unique!"

When we got Bennie's results, we were a bit stunned. The report claimed that Bennie has trace amounts of three retriever breeds-Labrador, Golden, and Curly-coated, plus Border Collie. Somewhat more predominant was Samoyed. And there is a big "empty spot" that could be all sorts of breeds that arent' recognized by the Wisdom Panel. That means no Great Dane! And, what explains his brindle?

Even more stunning was the report we got back on Toast. Mars wrote a personal letter to Dr. Famini saying “Toast has a very complex DNA background…. we were unable to confidently detect sufficient DNA from enough different breeds to reliably identify Toast’s mix… your client should be pleased to know that Toast is an extraordinary dog, with a complex breed mix that may, in fact, be different from any other dog in the U.S.” Mars posited in this letter that either Toast is a mix of European breeds that the test does not detect, or his lineage back for several generations is so mixed, no breed is present in a detectable amount.

I asked Dr. Famini if many of the test results came back as surprises. As they have only done a handful of tests so far, there isn’t enough data to say there’s a lot of surprises. Dr. Famini noted “These tests have definitely confirmed my reluctance to guess, or believe any one’s guess, at breed history from just looking at a dog.”

The bottom line

If you’re curious about your mutt’s background and have some money to spare (Wisdom Panel prices are set by each vet but expect the test to cost around $150 per dog) it may be fun to have the test done. Some FETCH readers spent the past few weeks taking our survey guessing Toast and Bennie’s breeds (and no, no one guessed Samoyed for Bennie!) so you and your friends might want to make a game out of waiting for the results.

Dr. Famini’s take: “Unless a dog is found to be predominantly one or two breeds these tests will not have any medically meaningful information. However, there is more to our pets than their medical status… each dog is a unique individual and remains the same pet you’ve loved whether you learn his genetic history or not.”

Pat Engel agrees. When I asked her if she, as a trainer, has used the information with Lucy, she replied, “To be honest, the main value of the test has been as a source of jokes. Now when Lucy’s behavior is unusual, my husband and I roll our eyes and say, “It must be the Pekingese in her!”

About the Author

Sandy Lurins is the publisher and editor-in-chief of FETCH. Her canine family includes Wylie, a senior rescue who’s presumed to be Malinois/Greyhound, and Bennie, who’s dialing Dr. Phil for help in dealing with his identity crisis.