Dog dna testing

[Julie_J]

But why would they do that?

If they include the most popular breeds of dogs, it should include the bully breeds. I guess it is good for the bully breed owner that wants to get homeowners or renters insurance from a company that won't insure them if
they have a bully breed.
But if I were paying $75 to $150 for the testing, I would want something more conclusive.

One of my training locations is in PG county, there sure are a lot of "Bulldog" and "Boxer" mixes running around there, adopted from the local shelters and rescues. The people who developed the tests did not want it to be used against dogs that fall under BSL. Where would lines be drawn... if a dog was 50% pit, should it be put down if in the wrong county? What about 25%?

Pet Search Results: Adoptable dog Pets in Upper Marlboro, MD: Petfinder

 

[frequentflier]

One of my training locations is in PG county, there sure are a lot of "Bulldog" and "Boxer" mixes running around there, adopted from the local shelters and rescues. The people who developed the tests did not want it to be used against dogs that fall under BSL. Where would lines be drawn... if a dog was 50% pit, should it be put down if in the wrong county? What about 25%?

Pet Search Results: Adoptable dog Pets in Upper Marlboro, MD: Petfinder

But where are the tests being done? I was under the impression they were sent to a national testing center (as opposed to a local) I can buy the kits for testing and have been asked a few times if we carry them. Most people have it done through the vet so I don't know where they are sent.
And I am NOT for euthanizing an animal due to it's breed and I dislike that there are counties than ban certain breeds. I also hate that there are insurance companies that can choose to not insure you because of your choice breed; whether it be a pit, dobie, rottie, etc. It is flat out discrimination!

 

[Julie_J]

But where are the tests being done? I was under the impression they were sent to a national testing center (as opposed to a local) I can buy the kits for testing and have been asked a few times if we carry them. Most people have it done through the vet so I don't know where they are sent.
And, no, I am for euthanizing an animal due to it's breed and I dislike that there are counties than ban certain breeds. I also hate that there are insurance companies that can choose to not insure you because of your choice breed; whether it be a pit, dobie, rottie, etc. It is flat out discrimination!

YouTube - Canine DNA test results

Watch to end...priceless.

 

[ArkRescue]

Like the dog I adopted from AC in P G County - he's an "American Bulldog MIX" but everyone who has seen him swears he's a pit. The rescue volunteer at the shelter said that pits don't have a lot of skin around their neck like he does so he's NOT a pit.

One of the workers at the shelter was smitten with this boy and would take him for walks. I can see why they wanted to save him, he is sweet as can be. No aggression toward people or other dogs except he defended me against 1 dog that was being aggressive, otherwise he gets along with the other dogs I've had him around. This is first non-food aggressive dog I've ever had.

I personally would not test my dog, as I don't WANT to know what his breeds are for sure. As long as I stick to what I was told, I won't be banned from having him as a pet anywhere.

One of my training locations is in PG county, there sure are a lot of "Bulldog" and "Boxer" mixes running around there, adopted from the local shelters and rescues. The people who developed the tests did not want it to be used against dogs that fall under BSL. Where would lines be drawn... if a dog was 50% pit, should it be put down if in the wrong county? What about 25%?

Pet Search Results: Adoptable dog Pets in Upper Marlboro, MD: Petfinder

 

[tazzman]

I was only curios to her real breeds. I don't have a problem with pits. I believe it is in how they are treated and trained. Too many people train them for the wrong reasons and it makes the breed have a bad name. She is a really sweet dog, so it would not make a difference if the test did show pit.

 

[Lacie Girl]

The tests have purposely disincluded pits, staffies, and any "bully" breeds, so they could not be used as conclusive evidence in court cases. It will show the closest genetic match if you trace the lines back- boston terrier!

Most of my clients who have had mixes that looked very bully say the test comes back predominantly boston terrier, other owners say their test came back inconclusive.

Ummm... Actually, most of the tests on the market (to include the VetGen test) include most of the bully breeds. These include:

American Bulldog
American Staffordshire Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Bull Terrier
English Bulldog
French Bulldog
Mastiff
Staffordshire Terrier

The reason that the American Pit Bull Terrier isn't included in the tests is because the tests only test for AKC recognized breeds. The APBT isn't one of them. However, the Amstaff and APBT are so closely related (the Amstaff merely having been a name change in the breed so that the AKC would disassociate itself with dog fighting a couple of decades ago), that an APBT should come up as predominantly Amstaff if the tests are at all accurate.

The DNA testing is a national thing and not at all geared toward protecting areas with BSL. In fact, it is being used more and more in court cases to prove a dog's breed as well as a newer database that is tracking dog fighting linage to determine if a dog may have been used in fighting based on it's direct linage.

 

[Julie_J]

The reason that the American Pit Bull Terrier isn't included in the tests is because the tests only test for AKC recognized breeds. The APBT isn't one of them. However, the Amstaff and APBT are so closely related (the Amstaff merely having been a name change in the breed so that the AKC would disassociate itself with dog fighting a couple of decades ago), that an APBT should come up as predominantly Amstaff if the tests are at all accurate.

The DNA testing is a national thing and not at all geared toward protecting areas with BSL. In fact, it is being used more and more in court cases to prove a dog's breed as well as a newer database that is tracking dog fighting linage to determine if a dog may have been used in fighting based on it's direct linage.[/QUOTE]
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Accuracy is key- I have had a few use the Wisdom panel, and their pit x's came up as boston terrier mixes, although they list staffies and bull terriers as breeds that can be identified. Same with Canine Heritage. That's interesting about tracing the fighting dog lineage. Do you have any references? I'ld like to find out more.

Not all tests are aimed for AKC breeds, and the DNA testing is nationwide, but run by individual companies- no regulatories saying what they can and cannot show. Some only show 100 breeds. What I know is I've known many people who tell me don't waste the $.

 

[Lacie Girl]

Accuracy is key- I have had a few use the Wisdom panel, and their pit x's came up as boston terrier mixes, although they list staffies and bull terriers as breeds that can be identified. Same with Canine Heritage. That's interesting about tracing the fighting dog lineage. Do you have any references? I'ld like to find out more.

Not all tests are aimed for AKC breeds, and the DNA testing is nationwide, but run by individual companies- no regulatories saying what they can and cannot show. Some only show 100 breeds. What I know is I've known many people who tell me don't waste the $.

Absolutely Julie! I don't think they can be accurate though because so many different breeds were crossed to get the breeds we have today. I'm sure Boston Terrier was probably crossed into the line at one point to make the dogs smaller. The smaller size makes them more agile then the larger mastiff sized breeds. It would be interesting to know what factors they use to determine the breed. Will it ever be a perfect system? I doubt it.

I also agree that it probably isn't worth the money. I know that I won't spend my money on it. Besides, I love my dogs just the way they are. It doesn't really matter what their exact breed is to me.

Here is a link to the K9CODIS system. It's a cool concept and it'll be great if it really works for them in order to help prosecute people. I hope it just doesn't get used against the wrong people.

Proof of a crime may be in a dog's DNA - CNN.com

 

[Julie_J]

Absolutely Julie! I don't think they can be accurate though because so many different breeds were crossed to get the breeds we have today. I'm sure Boston Terrier was probably crossed into the line at one point to make the dogs smaller. The smaller size makes them more agile then the larger mastiff sized breeds. It would be interesting to know what factors they use to determine the breed. Will it ever be a perfect system? I doubt it.

I also agree that it probably isn't worth the money. I know that I won't spend my money on it. Besides, I love my dogs just the way they are. It doesn't really matter what their exact breed is to me.

Here is a link to the K9CODIS system. It's a cool concept and it'll be great if it really works for them in order to help prosecute people. I hope it just doesn't get used against the wrong people.

Proof of a crime may be in a dog's DNA - CNN.com

Thanks, that is great.

 

[bulldog]

I'd love to know what Scooter really is. I have my best guess, but I'd like to see what the results say. I just don't care enough to spend money on it.

My thoughts exactly. We recently adopted our "Marci" and the shelter said she is Beagle and Dachshund mix...which see looks like a bit of both and may very well be. However, she has super long legs that fit neither breed so we simply wonder about that. Don't really care, but very curious.
Don't need DNA testing to know that she is the best dog in the world.

 

[frequentflier]

My thoughts exactly. We recently adopted our "Marci" and the shelter said she is Beagle and Dachshund mix...which see looks like a bit of both and may very well be. However, she has super long legs that fit neither breed so we simply wonder about that. Don't really care, but very curious.
Don't need DNA testing to know that she is the best dog in the world.

Sounds like it was Marci's lucky day!

 

[bulldog]

Sounds like it was Marci's lucky day!

Ours too. We get such a kick out of her and some of her stunts. Training is going well and she has not chewed up the house yet so we're good. Now, if she'd only come when she is called...we'd have it made.

 

[ArkRescue]

This may seem weird but ..... If I want to see what sounds a critter reacts to most, I will be in the room where I can see their reaction but usually be behind them. I will start making sounds and use the alphabet ahhh baaaa caaaa daaa and see how the critter reacts to the sounds - once I figure what sounds they react to best, I pick that to use when I want to call them - well I don't say "baa" but I'll use a 1 syllable "B" word. It seems to work pretty well for choosing names for them also.

Ours too. We get such a kick out of her and some of her stunts. Training is going well and she has not chewed up the house yet so we're good. Now, if she'd only come when she is called...we'd have it made.