Test helps dog owners determine their animal's origins

Canine DNA exam can help sniff out Rover's heritage

By Sarah Bultema , Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

When Judy Ellzey adopted Luke from a Minnesota shelter, she was told that the black puppy was a Labrador retriever mixed-breed. But as he grew into a 65-pound long-haired dog, she began to wonder what kind of breeds really made up Luke's heritage.

"I was always curious," Ellzey said. Eight years later, she got her answer - thanks to a dog DNA test.

The Mars Wisdom Panel MX Mixed Breed Analysis test breaks down the genetic makeup of a dog to determine what breeds may be present in its heritage.

Using about 19 million DNA markers from more than 13,000 dogs, the test can narrow down 134 breeds that might be in a mixed-breed dog's genetics.

Released in September, the test is the only blood-based DNA analysis available for pooches.

"It's a neat service to offer people," said Matt Jones, a veterinarian at the Loveland Veterinary Clinic, which recently began carrying the test.

Although he hasn't performed any yet, Jones thought the answers the test could provide would be fun for curious owners.

While some could use it to ensure their purebreds are truly pure, he said, answering the age-old question of "what's my dog" may be the most popular use.

"We all guess, 'What kind of dog is this?' " Jones said. "It's just the novelty of knowing."

Ellzey heard about the dog DNA test through Loveland's Worthington Animal Clinic, and jumped at the opportunity.

But before the test, Ellzey placed a bet with the veterinarian, guessing who could get the closest to Luke's breeds.

She predicted a poodle, Labrador retriever and Briard mix, while the veterinarian presumed poodle, terrier and Briard.

They were wrong.

"What we thought what he might be is totally different than what he is," Ellzey said.

A few weeks after the veterinarian sent the blood sample to the Mars company, the results of Luke's breeds were uncovered: golden retriever, schnauzer and bearded collie.

"The vets were blown away," Ellzey said.

Ellzey, who paid $120, thought it was a reasonable price for finding answers. "I wanted to know," she said. "If something ever happened to (Luke) I would want to find another dog like him."