When dog DNA tests came onto the market over a decade ago, we have to admit we thought they were pretty useless. We figured if the dog’s breed mattered to the person, they would get a purebred dog and not have to worry about it.
After all, the whole point of developing different breeds is predictability. While individuals are unique, you can count on dogs of a particular breed having the looks, personality traits, and behaviors that go along with that breed of dog. If a person was just looking for a companion and had no particular checklist for a dog, it absolutely doesn’t matter what the dog’s ancestry might be.
That was back when the dog’s breed was about all the information you got from a DNA test. Nowadays there’s more to it. And it may be worth another look.
What’s included now
Depending on the company and the particular type of test, dog DNA testing can also now predict the dog’s health risks, genetic disease vulnerabilities, even possible drug sensitivities. Knowing the breeds in your dog’s background may help you make decisions for your dog’s health, longevity, and possibly even training methods. If you know your dog has a hunting-dog background, your training might emphasize redirecting prey drive, for example.
For example, let’s say you have a dog that looks like a terrier mix. The dog is small, powerful, smart, energetic, and has short hair. You decide to find out what kind of terrier is in your dog’s make-up. So you get a DNA test and find out your dog, who looks absolutely nothing like one, is really half Poodle. That’s information you can use. The Poodle Club of America has information about specific health conditions that Poodles may inherit, including epilepsy and certain eye problems. Armed with that knowledge, you and your veterinarian may gain new insights into your dog’s health.
Even more useful
Knowing your dog’s long-term disease vulnerabilities may not really change much about your life with your dog. Everybody, both dogs and people, have some genetic baggage they carry around. For most of us, you’re aware of the possibilities, but they’re not something you focus on in the day-to-day.
However, there is another aspect that may have a more immediate effect. Apparently DNA tests can now predict your dog’s drug sensitivities. Depending on what you find out, this could have a significant impact on your choices.
From different anesthesia drugs to heartworm and flea & tick medications, it turns out that some breeds of dogs cannot tolerate certain medications. If you don’t have a Collie, chances are you didn’t know that Collies can have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to some adverse drug reactions. But if your dog has some Collie DNA, your veterinarian can choose parasite protection that also protects your dog’s health. Just as if you have a French Bulldog, you’ll want to make sure your vet avoids some anesthetics.
Not the complete picture
Unfortunately, the DNA tests can’t tell you what’s causing your dog’s allergies. You just know, if your dog is constantly licking paws and scratching ears, that they’re allergic to something. As far as we can tell, the most reliable allergy tests are still the elimination diets to test for food allergies, and the scratch tests for skin reactions to allergens.
Before you decide to have your dog’s DNA tested, think about what you want to know and how you’ll use the information. If the health ramifications are mostly your concern, compare the different DNA testing companies. See how many tests they do, what their reviews are, and what the timeline for results will be. Looking at a few different companies, prices ranged from around $70 to over $200. Only you can say whether the knowledge gained is worth it to you.
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