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Dog DNA testing takes off, and generates debate
Source: Associated Press
Dog DNA testing takes off, and generates debate
By JENNIFER PELTZ
February 11, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — As people peer into DNA for clues to health and heritage, man’s best friend is under the microscope, too.
Genetic testing for dogs has surged in recent years, fueled by companies that echo popular at-home tests for humans, offering a deep dive into a pet’s genes with the swab of a canine cheek. More than a million dogs have been tested in little over a decade.
The tests’ rise has stirred debate about standards, interpretation and limitations. But to many dog owners, DNA is a way to get to know their companions better.
“It put some pieces of the puzzle together,” says Lisa Topol, who recently tested her mixed-breed dogs Plop and Schmutzy. Plop was the top-scoring mixed-breed, and Schmutzy also competed, in Saturday’s agility contest at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Judging toward the coveted best in show prize begins Monday.
A test by Embark — which this fall became Westminster’s first DNA-testing partner — confirmed Topol’s guess that her high-octane pets are more Australian cattle dog than anything else. But Schmutzy’s genetic pie chart had surprise ingredients, including generous amounts of Labrador retriever and Doberman pinscher.
-snip-
By JENNIFER PELTZ
February 11, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — As people peer into DNA for clues to health and heritage, man’s best friend is under the microscope, too.
Genetic testing for dogs has surged in recent years, fueled by companies that echo popular at-home tests for humans, offering a deep dive into a pet’s genes with the swab of a canine cheek. More than a million dogs have been tested in little over a decade.
The tests’ rise has stirred debate about standards, interpretation and limitations. But to many dog owners, DNA is a way to get to know their companions better.
“It put some pieces of the puzzle together,” says Lisa Topol, who recently tested her mixed-breed dogs Plop and Schmutzy. Plop was the top-scoring mixed-breed, and Schmutzy also competed, in Saturday’s agility contest at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Judging toward the coveted best in show prize begins Monday.
A test by Embark — which this fall became Westminster’s first DNA-testing partner — confirmed Topol’s guess that her high-octane pets are more Australian cattle dog than anything else. But Schmutzy’s genetic pie chart had surprise ingredients, including generous amounts of Labrador retriever and Doberman pinscher.
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/b815a808f6e3431fa262a414512efdd2
In this April 2018 photo provided by Rennie Pasquinelli, Murray, a mixed-breed dog, lay on a sofa in Ann Arbor, Mich. Pasquinelli, who is Murray's owner, recently got the dog's DNA tested to learn what breeds are in his background. Genetic testing for dogs has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by companies marketing kits that offer to decode dogs' heritage and health as simply, or laboriously, as owners can swab a canine cheek. (Rennie Pasquinelli via AP)
3 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
it seemed Embark was every other commercial. she has big dog of unknown breed. i asked what she thought of the DNA test. she said i don't want to know. 
