Would you DNA test your dog? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

wahawaha · 01-10-2010, 05:11 AM

I'm curious to know if you own a mixed breed yorkie - yorkiepoo, morkie, snorkie, etc. would you DNA test your dog to see which breed it's most like. Supposedly the benefit is that you could see which hereditary diseases it may be more prone to if you find out which breed it's most like. Also, if you have a purebred, if it was affordable would you DNA test to see just how purebred your dog really is?

I posted this originally in this forum & for some reason it was moved to the Breeding/Showing/Traveling forum, so I'm rephrasing it & reposting it here so it's clear that I'm not breeding my dog (he's recently neutered), showing it, or traveling with it. I just love my yorkiepoo & want to know more about it. I'd like the opinion of general yorkie owners, not breeders, so please do not move this to the breeding forum, where only breeders look, again.

What's your opinion on DNA testing for non-breeding, non-showing puposes, just for your own knowledge?

Britster · 01-10-2010, 06:36 AM

I think they're cool. I've heard they're not always totally reliable though or 100%. I get comments all the time that people think Jackson is a Silky Terrier, he's a bigger guy at 12lbs, but sometimes I am curious to know for sure what he is. I don't think I'd spend the money though because I don't really care what he is mixed with.

Callie Lou · 01-10-2010, 06:48 AM

I would do it...and have been seriously considering it. We have a puppy that we adopted from the shelter. Her paperwork said, Yorkie/Poodle/Beagle mix!!! How crzy is that??

lol~ She looks like a YorkiePoo but I would love to have the DNA test just to settle the debate of everyone coming at me with.."wonder what breed she is????".....wonder what she's mixed with"....I bet she's this...or I'd bet money she is that." I really don't care what she is, I love her regardless...but I'd just like to have a bone-a-fied answer for them, once and for all!

Callie Lou · 01-10-2010, 07:01 AM

Here is a pic of My Maggie May...the Yorkie/Poo/Beagle.....lol, just a beautiful and well loved furbaby!

Britster · 01-10-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie Lou

Here is a pic of My Maggie May...the Yorkie/Poo/Beagle.....lol, just a beautiful and well loved furbaby!

Omg, what a cutie, gee... I'd be curious about that one too lol. I almost see some Pug but maybe it's just the picture. Maybe a Puggle Yorkie-poo! lol

Callie Lou · 01-10-2010, 07:37 AM

Thnx! She is just such a sweetheart! We love her beyond measure! I like the idea of a Puggle-Poo~~!

Lee B · 01-10-2010, 07:49 AM

If I had a mixed breed (or typical mutt-zoid

) it would be interesting. But I have no doubt regarding my pups' "Yorkiness", so I wouldn't for them.

NOW, if the DNA testing ever progresses to the point where it would show me the genetic propensity for disease in my particular beastie, THAT would be worth the $$.

LittlePuppyKiss · 01-10-2010, 07:54 AM

I might be curious if I had a dog that was mixed and might do it for fun just to see what breeds they found. The results wouldn't matter at all to me though.

I agree that if DNA testing would show any health issues that I needed to be on watch for with Sassafras I would do it.

Callie Lou · 01-10-2010, 08:36 AM

Good point! If it would alert me to any health issues that might be in my dog's future...it would DEFINITELY be worth it!

Morkie4 · 01-10-2010, 09:09 AM

I did the DNA test on one of my "rescued Maltese girls." Just out of curiosity and because her hair seemed a bit "untameable"......figured if she was mixed with something, why put her through growing out to a full coat! But as it turned out, she is 100% maltese! YAY for her and me.......we're almost with a full coat!

The downside to the DNA testing is that they only can compare the results they get with the DNA results of "breeds" of dogs that are in there data base of the company you decide to use........so depending on how many different breeds are in your fluffs background and "IF" they are in their data base will give you accurate results. Just a thought!

Kharise · 01-10-2010, 09:12 AM

I have been curious, but I would never actually do it if I know what my little pumpkin is. There is no need to spend $125 - 150 on a DNA kit especially when they don't have alot of breeds in the database.

Alot of the results I've heard are crap. But, I know of atleast one good DNA testing place (I forget the name) but they were on NatGeo once.

wahawaha · 01-10-2010, 10:40 AM

It was actually only $49. I got the kit on sale at Petsmart. I had to swab the inside of Winston's cheek twice & mail it in to them. They say they can tell me in 3 weeks what his significant breed is - at least 50%, intermediate breed - at least 25% & minor breed - at least 12.5%. They say they have 200+ breeds in their database.

Whatever the results are won't make a difference to me, I'm not breeding or showing him. I think it might help to know if he's predominantly something when buying breed specific supplements or books about training, etc. because they say certain breeds have typical personality traits & to look out for any breed specific medical issues. Mostly I'm just curious!

I researched the product on-line before buying it and it had good reviews. They said there is a professional version that vets do that can also predict the size & risk for diseases.

Miss Behavin · 01-10-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

I think they're cool. I've heard they're not always totally reliable though or 100%. I get comments all the time that people think Jackson is a Silky Terrier, he's a bigger guy at 12lbs, but sometimes I am curious to know for sure what he is. I don't think I'd spend the money though because I don't really care what he is mixed with.

Mine is the same size. B/c Pippi is a service dog, and therefore w/me always, I get people all. the.time. asking, 'oh, what breed is that?" When I say Yorkie, the other Yorkie owners will inevitably say, "oh, wow! She's BIG! I have a Yorkie, too, but s/he's a teacup

. It's amazzzing how many sizes they come in

". Um, yeah. Not really. Look at people, lady. To argue w/idiots is futile and time-consuming, so I let them be smug in their false knowledge.
But, to the question: No, I would not DNA test her. B/c even if the result showed she was yorkie mixed w/mountain goat, I'd love her all the same

Shellygirlky · 01-10-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie Lou

Here is a pic of My Maggie May...the Yorkie/Poo/Beagle.....lol, just a beautiful and well loved furbaby!

Hey Maggs, still lovin that pouty bottom lip. For those who don't know maggie she is a feisty little sweet heart.
I myself have a couple of mix breeds and if I had the extra money I'd have it done in a heart beat. It would put an end to the "well he could be a mix of this or a mix if that". Wouldn't make me love them any more or less, it would just be for fun.

J_is_my_initial · 01-10-2010, 03:39 PM

I am thinking about doing the test on my hubby's dog. I bought her for him for his bday and was told it was a ckc registered LH chi. The vet sd she did not think it was full blooded maybe a chorkie. One groomer sd maybe a chocolate yorkie. She does have more hair than any but 1 pic I have seen of lh chis. I have seen 1 pic that even hubby sd looked like her that was a chorkie. He keeps saying she is a full chi though which is what he wanted. My do it for his bday but would hate to disappoint him.

01-10-2010, 05:11 AM	#1
wahawaha Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 132	Would you DNA test your dog? I'm curious to know if you own a mixed breed yorkie - yorkiepoo, morkie, snorkie, etc. would you DNA test your dog to see which breed it's most like. Supposedly the benefit is that you could see which hereditary diseases it may be more prone to if you find out which breed it's most like. Also, if you have a purebred, if it was affordable would you DNA test to see just how purebred your dog really is? I posted this originally in this forum & for some reason it was moved to the Breeding/Showing/Traveling forum, so I'm rephrasing it & reposting it here so it's clear that I'm not breeding my dog (he's recently neutered), showing it, or traveling with it. I just love my yorkiepoo & want to know more about it. I'd like the opinion of general yorkie owners, not breeders, so please do not move this to the breeding forum, where only breeders look, again. What's your opinion on DNA testing for non-breeding, non-showing puposes, just for your own knowledge? Last edited by wahawaha; 01-10-2010 at 05:14 AM.

01-10-2010, 06:36 AM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I think they're cool. I've heard they're not always totally reliable though or 100%. I get comments all the time that people think Jackson is a Silky Terrier, he's a bigger guy at 12lbs, but sometimes I am curious to know for sure what he is. I don't think I'd spend the money though because I don't really care what he is mixed with. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

01-10-2010, 06:48 AM	#3
Callie Lou Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Barbourville, Ky, USA Posts: 105 Blog Entries: 1	I would do it...and have been seriously considering it. We have a puppy that we adopted from the shelter. Her paperwork said, Yorkie/Poodle/Beagle mix!!! How crzy is that?? lol~ She looks like a YorkiePoo but I would love to have the DNA test just to settle the debate of everyone coming at me with.."wonder what breed she is????".....wonder what she's mixed with"....I bet she's this...or I'd bet money she is that." I really don't care what she is, I love her regardless...but I'd just like to have a bone-a-fied answer for them, once and for all! __________________ Callie MaggieCharlie Sadie Budddy Da Mama~

01-10-2010, 07:01 AM	#4
Callie Lou Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Barbourville, Ky, USA Posts: 105 Blog Entries: 1	Here is a pic of My Maggie May...the Yorkie/Poo/Beagle.....lol, just a beautiful and well loved furbaby! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Callie MaggieCharlie Sadie Budddy Da Mama~

01-10-2010, 07:37 AM	#6
Callie Lou Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Barbourville, Ky, USA Posts: 105 Blog Entries: 1	Thnx! She is just such a sweetheart! We love her beyond measure! I like the idea of a Puggle-Poo~~! __________________ Callie MaggieCharlie Sadie Budddy Da Mama~

01-10-2010, 07:49 AM	#7
Lee B YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Land O' Lakes, FL Posts: 735	If I had a mixed breed (or typical mutt-zoid ) it would be interesting. But I have no doubt regarding my pups' "Yorkiness", so I wouldn't for them. NOW, if the DNA testing ever progresses to the point where it would show me the genetic propensity for disease in my particular beastie, THAT would be worth the $$.

01-10-2010, 07:54 AM	#8
LittlePuppyKiss Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 224	I might be curious if I had a dog that was mixed and might do it for fun just to see what breeds they found. The results wouldn't matter at all to me though. I agree that if DNA testing would show any health issues that I needed to be on watch for with Sassafras I would do it. __________________

01-10-2010, 08:36 AM	#9
Callie Lou Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Barbourville, Ky, USA Posts: 105 Blog Entries: 1	Good point! If it would alert me to any health issues that might be in my dog's future...it would DEFINITELY be worth it! __________________ Callie MaggieCharlie Sadie Budddy Da Mama~

01-10-2010, 09:09 AM	#10
Morkie4 Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 4,549	I did the DNA test on one of my "rescued Maltese girls." Just out of curiosity and because her hair seemed a bit "untameable"......figured if she was mixed with something, why put her through growing out to a full coat! But as it turned out, she is 100% maltese! YAY for her and me.......we're almost with a full coat! The downside to the DNA testing is that they only can compare the results they get with the DNA results of "breeds" of dogs that are in there data base of the company you decide to use........so depending on how many different breeds are in your fluffs background and "IF" they are in their data base will give you accurate results. Just a thought! __________________ CAROL ~ Krissie ~ Toby ~ Brandy ~ Buffy Proud member of Maltesetalk and Yorkietalk

01-10-2010, 09:12 AM	#11
Kharise BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 36	I have been curious, but I would never actually do it if I know what my little pumpkin is. There is no need to spend $125 - 150 on a DNA kit especially when they don't have alot of breeds in the database. Alot of the results I've heard are crap. But, I know of atleast one good DNA testing place (I forget the name) but they were on NatGeo once.

01-10-2010, 10:40 AM	#12
wahawaha Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 132	It was actually only $49. I got the kit on sale at Petsmart. I had to swab the inside of Winston's cheek twice & mail it in to them. They say they can tell me in 3 weeks what his significant breed is - at least 50%, intermediate breed - at least 25% & minor breed - at least 12.5%. They say they have 200+ breeds in their database. Whatever the results are won't make a difference to me, I'm not breeding or showing him. I think it might help to know if he's predominantly something when buying breed specific supplements or books about training, etc. because they say certain breeds have typical personality traits & to look out for any breed specific medical issues. Mostly I'm just curious! I researched the product on-line before buying it and it had good reviews. They said there is a professional version that vets do that can also predict the size & risk for diseases.

01-10-2010, 03:39 PM	#15
J_is_my_initial YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Knoxville,Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I am thinking about doing the test on my hubby's dog. I bought her for him for his bday and was told it was a ckc registered LH chi. The vet sd she did not think it was full blooded maybe a chorkie. One groomer sd maybe a chocolate yorkie. She does have more hair than any but 1 pic I have seen of lh chis. I have seen 1 pic that even hubby sd looked like her that was a chorkie. He keeps saying she is a full chi though which is what he wanted. My do it for his bday but would hate to disappoint him. __________________ PAWPRINTS AND DOG HAIR ENHANCE MY PERSONAL STYLE.