Dog Living A lifestyle magazine for dog lovers
What kind of dog is that? As the proud mother of three mutts I get asked that question a lot. I usually answer with, “The best kind, a rescue.” Of course then people love to try and make guesses as to the ancestry of each of my dogs. Ollie is probably a greyhound with a little bit of black lab. August is some sort of yellow lab mixed with hound dog. And when people asked about my little Pecos I used to joke that he is a miniature Pitbull until one woman actually took me seriously. So, now I just say he probably has some terrier in him!
Pecos the Miniature Pitbull?
One way to decipher the mystery of your pet’s heritage is to order a DNA test. While the accuracy of these tests is still questionable, the results can still lead to a fun conversation. A friend ordered a test for her large breed mutt and the results read that the dog had Bichon Frise in her DNA.
The Wisdom Panel Insights from MARS Incorporated requires a simple swab of the cheek and tests for more than 190 breeds. In addition to the test for mixed breed dogs, there are also tests for purebreds and designer dogs. The test kits can be ordered online at www.wisdompanel.com for $74.99. Test results are usually emailed within three weeks.
