Dog DNA

A year or so ago when we were getting our cabinets built for the upstairs dirty kitchen there were 4 little pups in a cage at the entrance to the lumber yard. As a dog person and also not a huge fan of caging dogs, there was a runt of the litter that I took to. She was trying so hard to get past her bigger siblings to say "hi" and lick my finger when I put it through the cage.

Tried to get the owner to give her to us, even offered to buy her but he said they were promised to family. I went back to work in Korea but the wife kept asking about the pup. For whatever reason, one day his worker delivered her to the house.

A great little dog (as many know we have larger dogs) and was quickly the most spoiled or at least as spoiled as our husky. One thing we debated on was what her mix was. The only thing we were told was that the mother was a Japanese Spitz mix. I was convinced with her attitude and such she had to be part Chihuahua.

I ordered a DNA test from the US and when I was home last month we did the cheek swab and once back to Korea I sent it in. It is so difficult to look at a mix dog and try to determine the lineage.

Got the results back the other day and she came up as 62.5% Mini Pinscher, 12.5% Japanese Spitz, 12.5% Pekingese and 12.5% breed group. The breed group included Terrier group (which Chihuahua is a part of), Companion group and Asian group.

The only questions asked by this company was weight (she's under 5lb) and where the dog is located. Nothing about what we may have thought about any breed info.

I thought it was interesting to get this checked out and well worth the cost and time.

Shawn

 

That's a great service for dog lovers. Thanks for sharing. I'm just relieved that "Dude" didn't show up on that list.

 

Just a guess. They asked those questions for there own use in building a world wide database. What breeds are where? What size do certain breeds or mixes achieve in relationship to location?

They didn't ask you what you thought the breed was because the DNA you provided will tell them that.

 

I checked a number of different dog DNA places as well as ratings. The ones that did want info on "known" parentage seemed bunk to me. The company I used for Ginger's DNA analysis rated well and am really pleased with the results.

Just looking at a mixed dog it can be almost impossible to know without personally knowing a bit about where they came from.

Don't doubt your idea about building their data base as dogs are imported and exported everyday. Really not informed enough to talk about how big a pure breed or mix would get based on location.

Shawn

 

Fascinating.

 

Companies testing human DNA are now big business - with huge profits from selling DNA databases to pharmaceutical companies, law enforcement agencies and others. Does anyone have a view on whether this is 'Big Brother' or beneficial to society or a bit of each.

 

I've been retired USAF for almost 12 years so I'm thinking it was about 20 years ago or so the USAF started collecting DNA for identification purposes, so I know my DNA was already in a data base.

My mother was convinced we kids had Native American blood from my father's side so I did a DNA test awhile back with one of the leading companies; 64% England, 18% German, 11% Ireland & Scotland, 5% Sweden and 2% Norway. Nothing shocking for a white American; the only thing I found interesting is that they were able to show how the settlers spread across the US, from New York and ending up in Northern Iowa which is where my parents are from.

You hear about law enforcement catching folks with matches of relatives and such. I would think that would be a good thing (unless you were worried about your DNA popping up). Not sure how it is used for pharmaceutical companies but not concerned either.

Shawn

 

By analysing DNA and a person's health information (I assume those who participate must be supplying some relevant health data) they can look for connections and use it to develop improved drugs. Seems like a good thing.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...axo-teams-dna-testing-company-23andme-n894531