What breeds do you think make up this crazy mutt? Picture from adoption date in 2009
I am a big proponent of animal rescue. There are so many animals languishing in shelters that it is beyond my comprehension why anyone would pay money to a breeder when you could get a animal for practically nothing AND save a life from extermination. I also believe that rescue dogs make the best pets because I think they know you saved them from near death and are so grateful to have a happy home. Just my personal opinion... In Dallas, there are many organizations like the SPCA and Operation Kindness, doing amazing work to save animals and find them forever homes. My latest rescue dog is named Tuco (after a character in the Clint Eastwood film The Good, The Bad & The Ugly). I was attracted to him initially because of his unusual markings (I thought he looked like a tiger) and his Scooby-Doo ears. As you can see from the photo above, he is clearly a mix of breeds. But a mix of what? My family has often wondered about Tuco's heritage so I was thrilled when Mars Veterinary reached out to me to see if I wanted to use their new Wisdom Panel® 3.0 DNA test to determine his origins.
Mars Veterinary, the industry leader in canine genetic testing, is launching their next evolution of the canine DNA test—WisdomPanel®3.0— and is not only expanding the breed screening coverage, but the medical applications as well with the new MDR1 Genetic Mutation screening.
The WisdomPanel®3.0 test retails for $84.99 and covers 250+ breeds, types and varieties including all those recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and can be run for mixed-‐breed, designer, or purebred dogs. It will provides ancestry information back to the great-‐grandparent level, MDR1 Genetic Mutation screening results, and a predicted weight profile. The test consists of two swabs that you rub between the gum and the cheek for 15 seconds to collect skin cells for DNA extraction. Results take approximately 2-‐3 weeks from the time the test reaches the lab. I have sent my test in and CANNOT WAIT for the results.
Benefits of DNA testing your dog include: MDR1 mutation testing for drug sensitivity, the ability to develop a training program that works with their natural instincts (breeds) and a better understanding their behavior characteristics, developing a nutrition plan for breed-‐specific needs and/or achieving/maintaining healthy weight, assists in determining what the adult size of your dog might be and understanding the breeds within your dog, in order to lookout for any breed-‐ specific health concerns or common issues.
Wisdom Panel will be at the Amazing Pet Expo in Austin, TX on August 1st 2015. Visitors who bring their dogs to the Wisdom Panel booth at this event can get them swabbed on-site for a special price ($39.99. MSRP is $84.99) or take home a discounted do-it-yourself kit ($49.99). Within three weeks of receipt of the cheek swab test, dog owners will be emailed an official Ancestry Report revealing their dog's genetic background.
For more updates on events and product discounts, follow Wisdom Panel on:
Facebook: facebook.com/DoggieDNA Twitter: @WisdomPanel
Instagram: @WisdomPanelPinterest: @WisdomPanel
This post was brought to you by Mars Veterinary/Wisdom Panel® 3.0 While I did receive compensation for authoring this post; product selections, descriptions, and opinions are 100% my own. Interested in a sponsored post or product review for your brand or event? Contact me for rates and details.
