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Can DNA Decipher the Mix?
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Combinations of canine anatomy and behavior push and pull one another along in a rhythm of interconnected patterns in relationships that may not be as random as they appear. Like principal components of an automobile in which the size of the engine and the weight of the body directly affect efficiency, it appears that dogs, too, have integral parts wherein one component is proportionate to the other. Researchers don’t fully understand the relationship, but they are making headway. As reported in Genetics (June 2008), a team of scientists identified a few single genes that regulate systems controlling skull shape, weight, fur length, age span and behavior. Because mutts are combinations of DNA from different breeds, they may hold the answer to how the genes influence multiple traits. Scientists suspect that many evolutionary secrets are hidden in the dog genome. For dog lovers, deconstructing Molly or Max’s mixed-breed heritage is an interesting intellectual mystery to be discussed at cocktail parties or the dog park. For scientists, their genetic material is nothing less than an instruction manual for species building. Whereas populations evolve over the course of millennia through the process of natural selection, dogs can change so rapidly and abruptly that they represent evolution at hyperspeed. How it happens remains a puzzle. Now scientists are looking to mutts to find the missing piece. |
This article first appeared in The Bark, Issue 50, Sep/Oct 2008
Photograph by Andrew Pinkham
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Fascinating. So are DNA tests accurate enough to be useful in identifying the breeds in your mutt?
I am still a skeptic as to the accuracy of these tests. There have been results that have been documented in which the same dog's sample was submitted to the same lab twice with entirely different results, dogs with color patterns and coat types that have been studied to identify the specific genes needed to produce them but the DNA test did not identify any breeds in the test result that could have produced the dog being tested, and an unscientific report of a test on ans 8 pound dog that listed only large breeds in its ancestry (a little white Rottweiler?).
The DNA testing is not one where a sample is put into a machine that spits out the answers. A human still has to interpret the raw result to come up with the answers - can you say human error. If you are just curious go ahead and have your dog tested. I would not like to think of a situation where my dog's life depended on these test results.
Thank you Jane Brackman for this article. It was very informative and interesting. I'd love to know what has transpired, since it's been three years since the article was published in The Bark.
That's the same thing I've been asking myself Lorri. And yes, I'm working on an updated piece. I've been sending my mixed breed pooches DNA into two companies to see if the results are the same.
Jane,
I have been doing my own research on the various DNA tests plus DNA breed identification. This is because my city has a breed ban on certain breeds of dogs. I am not a scientist:( which makes this difficult. Mars Wisdom Panel is the only test that is available now to my knowledge. The shelter at our city has been testing questionable mixed breeds since 2009 with the Wisdom Panel Professional. We've done 20+ dogs so far. We have even done both test(Insight & Professional)on the same dog to see if we received the same results (we did). Our city does not acknowledge DNA testing but the city council is open on us gathering information (with the city) to determine if DNA testing can determine the banned breeds. Our city will accept the banned breeds if they are less than 50% of the banned breeds. This is currently determined by animal control officers visual identification. When will your updated piece be out? I'll be looking forward to it.
It is completely cruel and just plain wrong to ban an entire breed of dog. The dog is what you bring it up to be. PEOPLE are the ones that should be punished for TEACHING the dog to fight or be cruel or purposely inbreeding....Jail time and permanently keeping animal cruelty on their records should be put into law!
I have recently gotten a pitt bull mix (weimeraner we think) but he has fit right in! And is the most loving dog....I have six dogs and the lab/labradoodles that we have are more aggressive than he is - Especially with strangers walking in front of the house or people coming in....
Banned breeds should be banned people - people are the ones that are cruel.
I agreed to watch a friend's pitbull for one night and he moved out of state. So I had this huge brendle 11 year old pit bull, and I was scared of him. I had him for 3 years, and he was one of the most sweetest dogs I ever owned. At first I thought he was mute, he never barked for 3 months until I had him tied up outside and I walked out of his line of sight, that was the first time I ever heard him bark. A drunk friend of mine climbed through my window in the middle of the night and the dog just tackled him and licked him to death. I thought "what a lousy guard dog." But I would take him with me on runs, and a creepy guy approached me and he sensed my unease and went after the guy. He would let babies ride him like a horse. He was a great dog. But I couldn't get renter's insurance because of him.
So the "groups" are: Two hounds, MULTIPLE Spitz dogs, and a few small breeds... I think these groupings are messed up. At the very least, Asian Spitz dogs should have been one group (with the exception of the Chow Chow the visual and behavioral similarities are striking.)
Thanks for the interesting article! I had my dog's DNA tested recently and it was an interesting experience to say the least! She came back with about nine different breeds detected! The Humane Society believed her to be an Australian Cattle Dog/mix, however none was detected. They came up with boxer/miniature schnauzer mixed with a keeshond/chow chow. We really just did it for fun and it was affordable (around $60), but it might be interesting to see if the other companies that offer this service would come up with similar results. I am looking forward to reading your follow-up article regarding this. Of course, we love her no matter what the results are!