Getting your own DNA tested is so last year.
Now you can get a peek inside the genetic makeup of your dog. The method gives a rough estimate (it's not a perfect science), but it offers some intriguing insight for people who may have no idea what breed their best friend comes from.
The purpose of a dog DNA test is "to identify the breed or breed composite, which can be quite helpful information," Urs Giger, a veterinary clinician and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, told Discover.
In other words, you can learn a lot with a dog DNA test — but like any other DNA test, there are some limits to the accuracy of the results.
I gave it a shot with my family dog, a mixed-breed rescue pooch named Izzie who we adopted from a Golden Retriever shelter in Los Angeles when I was a kid. Here's what I learned.
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This is Izzie. When I adopted her over a decade ago, I was told she was a mixed-breed golden retriever.
She was only a year old at the time, so no one knew how big she'd get (most goldens reach their full size, about 60 lbs., around age 2) or how she'd behave. Our veterinarian told us she was likely a (smallish) golden retriever mutt.
But Izzie stayed roughly the same size, and we stayed curious about her heritage. Now 15 years old, she's friendly and loyal.
Most people get dog DNA tests so they can find out what kind of behavioral traits to expect — golden retrievers tend to be loyal and good with kids, for example, while dalmatians are super active and generally make good guard dogs.
Source: American Kennel Club
When I got the chance to test her DNA, I seized it. There were several options, but I picked the Wisdom Panel DNA test developed by MARS Veterinary, the world's largest pet healthcare provider.
The "3.0" version of the kit — which you can no longer buy from Mars' website but is still available on Amazon — cost me $79.99 . The newest version, which you can get on their site, is $84.99.
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