News, DNA tests sniff out mutts' breeding. (border collie, chihuahua, black)

[JD59]

Through the marvels of DNA testing, some of the greatest mysteries of Mutt-dom are being revealed.

Dogs of vague or unrecognizable ancestry — whether fluffy white mongrels with Chihuahua ears and beagle-like voices or massive hounds that resemble nothing previously seen in nature — are being exposed for what they really are, genetically speaking.

DNA tests sniff out mutts' breeding - USATODAY.com

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I did DNA testing on my dog that every one would swear is a black lab/border collie mix. Well, she is Greman Shep/German Shorthiared Pointer mix, nothing over 50%. Who knew.... It cost $80 and took about 4 wks, although I've seen on this forum that you can get slightly cheaper test kits.

[Calidreemer]

I worry that DNA testing may not help with the BSL issue. I would prefer not to have my dog DNA tested unless it was anonymous.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

You are the one who pays and gets the results. If you don't talk, how is anyone going to know you had it done?

[Calidreemer]

I guess whether it's anonymous or not it can be used in a way that isn't necessarily in the dogs favor. For intance if you had a dog that looked like a dog breed that was banned and your neighbor decided to report you, I could see manditory DNA testing being used to settle these issues rather than being able to say you can't determine the lineage of a dog you adopted from the pound or found as a stray.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a cool idea to crack the genetic code of your mutt, but I do think this technology could be used against some dogs.