Hi, I'm Oliver. For the last year, everyone at PPVH has wondered what breeds I'm made up of. Well, due to the new Advance DNA test, we have a complete break down of all the awesome dog breeds that make up my DNA! How cool is that? I was a bit nervous I wouldn't pass the "test" but everyone assured me this wasn't that kind of test.... 

Keep reading to find out how the test is performed and why it might be important to DNA test your dog.

Why might DNA testing be helpful? (What's the point?) 

Aside from natural curiosity (and maybe to have an answer for all those people who stop you on the street questioning your dog's breed) there are some important medical reasons to consider when deciding whether or not to DNA test your dog. 

Dogs, just like people, inherit physical and personality traits from their ancestors. Genetic disorders are passed through generations and certain breeds are predisposed to certain conditions.

For example, German Shepherd's are prone to hip dysplasia, doberman pinschers commonly get a heart condition, poodles are at an increased risk for glaucoma, pomeranians are predisposed to adrenal disease and Cavalier's often develop heart valve disease (just to name a few.)

Understanding where your dog comes from genetically can help you and your veterinarian diagnose conditions and maintain your dog's overall health. 

What's involved in the DNA test? (What do you have to donate?)

A small sample of your pet's blood is collected. This can be performed during a routine veterinary visit. It didn't even hurt!

What happens to the sample when it reaches the lab? (This is the scientific part)

The DNA is extracted from the blood cells and examined for 321 genetic markers. The results for these markers are evaluated by a computer program and all the possible pedigree combinations for the last three generations are determined. Over 200 breeds are in the database and they are used to fill in the possible pedigrees. There are millions of combinations of ancestry trees and the program assigns a score indicating how well that selected combination of breeds matches to your dog's DNA. 

The pedigree with the best score is the one displayed on the ancestry chart. The company boasts a strict confidence threshold meaning they only report a dog's pedigree that they are certain about. 

How long does the test take? (This is the waiting part) 

The blood sample is sent to the US lab to be analyzed.  Once the sample has been received, it typically takes three weeks for testing and report generating. The veterinarian receives the results but you can track the status of your test with your unique code. 

What kind of report do we get? (This is the fun part!)

Your individual report will include: 

• A family tree tracing back to grandparents
• Histories and descriptions of each breed detected in your dog's ancestry
• An adult weight prediction

Want to win your dog a FREE DNA TEST? 

Just guess my breed combination! Leave your guess in the comment section below. The closest guess will win a free DNA test from PPVH. 

Check out next week's post to find out my DNA test results!