The majority of dogs are of mixed breeds. Owners may want to know the specific breed (or breeds) of their pet. Dog DNA testing can help not only with this, but also with providing information on a dog's propensity to disease. Find out how to extract dog DNA and the benefits of DNA testing for dogs.
Why Dog DNA Extraction?
Dog DNA profiling may be done for a variety of reasons; determining breed is the main objective of many canine DNA tests. However, dog DNA tests can also be performed to determine the ancestry of the dog, rule out/confirm if a dog is a member of a dangerous or aggressive breed, help to understand dog behavior, and explore possible genetic anomalies for the predisposition to diseases such as cancer.
How to Extract Dog DNA
DNA tests can be carried out on a variety of canine cell and tissue samples. Dog DNA can be extracted from the animal’s blood, hair samples, or from a sample taken with a sterile swab brushed on the inside of the dog's cheek. This last method is perhaps the easiest to perform, can be done at home, and is painless for the animal. There are a number of dog DNA testing kits that owners can use in their own home, before sending off samples to a laboratory. Easy to understand instructions are usually provided.
Blood sampling requires a trip to the vets, thus, increasing the costs of DNA testing.
Where is Dog DNA Testing Done?
Once the biological sample has been taken, you need to submit it to specialized labs where the DNA test will be performed. Currently there are a variety of laboratories that can perform the DNA tests. If you Google “Dog DNA test” you probably will come up with 2 of the most popular companies that perform dog DNA tests:
The Wisdom Panel MX Mixed Breed Analysis (Mars Veterinary, a subsidiary of food giant Mars Inc.) which needs a blood sample. Results are said to be available in 2-3 weeks. The company uses a database of 134 breeds. Costs: $125
The Canine Heritage Breed Test is more of a “do-it-yourself” type of kit (from MMI Genomics). Sample is taken at home with sterile swabs that need to be brushed on the inside of the dog's cheek. Sample is then mailed to the company. Results are ready in 4-6 weeks. Cost: $75.
There are a variety of companies and costs involved in dog DNA tests. It all depends on the objective of the analysis. If a specific disease-related investigation is required then the analysis tends to be more costly. But for breed identification purposes costs are going down all the time.
How You Can Extract Dog DNA
This is how to extract dog DNA for analysis if samples are taken at home (swab method of sampling). The objective here is to collect epithelial cells from inside the dog’s cheek:
1) You need to withhold the dog's food intake for at least an hour before the dog DNA sampling. Food contamination can cause DNA damage.
2) Swabs come already sterilized in sealed packages. You need to open up the package and extract the swab without touching the swab tips.
3) Ask someone to hold the dog’s head. Rub and rotate the swab against the inside surface of the cheek for around 30 seconds.
4) Immediately, insert the swab into the previously opened package. Repeat the process if more swabs are needed.
5) Finally, the swabs and paper work need to be sent to the lab (by mail) for analysis.