Which Dog DNA Test is the Best? Have you ever looked at your dog, with her mismatched ears and quirky habits, and thought, "What in the world are you?" Well, you're not alone. Many dog owners are turning to DNA tests out of curiosity about their furry friend's breed, health predispositions, and even unique behavioral traits.
Subpar
You might know Ancestry as a major American company that helps people explore their family history. Based in Lehi, Utah, they are the largest company of their kind in the world, dealing with genealogy, historical records, and related genetic studies. Recently, they've decided to let Fido in on the fun, expanding their services to include DNA testing for dogs under the name Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry.
$99 to test against database of 400 dog breeds
Ancestry offers one dog DNA test for $99. To get started, you'll need to create an account and use the kit provided to swab the inside of your dog's cheek for about 30 seconds. Then, put the swab in the provided tube, shake, then send the swab back in the included prepaid box. You should expect to receive your results in a few weeks. Your report will include a comparison of your dog's DNA to over 400 different breeds and reveal any character or physical traits your dog may have, like stubbornness, acute intelligence, or droopy eyes. And, if any of Fido's cousins, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or grandparents have been tested with an Ancestry dog DNA test, you'll be able to see them in your results. However, since Ancestry's dog DNA test is so new, Fido's relatives are less likely to have been tested here than by several better-known competitors.
$25 fee for replacement tests
Unlike the majority of dog DNA testing services that graciously offer a replacement kit for free if the first one goes belly-up, Ancestry takes a different route. They ask for more of your hard-earned money. If you need a new Know Your Pet DNA testing kit, you'll have to cough up an extra $25 for the privilege. And if you're in the US, they'll even throw in some additional charges for shipping and handling. Because, why not?
Not thought to be accurate
As a newcomer in the field of DNA testing for dogs, Ancestry isn't seen as very trustworthy yet. Sometimes, they even give away their test kits for free with subscriptions to pet-related services. This might be a strategy to grow their database... or because they're struggling to sell their tests. In Dog DNA test online forums, users have been sharing their confusing and obviously inaccurate Ancestry test results. For instance, one user shared that their dog, thought to be a mix of German Shepherd and Malinois (both large, distinctive breeds), was identified by Ancestry as being 57% small poodle.
$15 processing fee applies to each refunded kit
If you're in the United States and want a refund for your Know Your Pet DNA kit, you can get one if you return the kit within 60 days from when you ordered it. However, a $15 processing fee will be deducted, and shipping and processing costs or any taxes on the non-refundable part of the kit won't be refunded. The refund will go back to the payment method you used. If you're outside the United States, you can cancel your order and get a full refund, including the shipping costs, within 14 days of getting your order. Bought a bundle with multiple products? You can get a refund within 60 days of purchase, but only if you return the entire bundle. And guess what? They'll deduct a $15 processing fee for each DNA kit in the bundle. (Yikes!) But, if you happen to be in the European Union, you're in luck. You won't have to pay anything extra.
Might be more guesswork than science
Reviews for Ancestry's pet DNA tests aren't great, with only unhappy customers on Trustpilot. One customer shared their experience, saying they felt like they wasted their money. They tested their dog, who they knew was likely a mix of Labrador, Beagle, and Kelpie from Brazil. But the test results suggested breeds common in Australia, where they live now - which makes it seem as if when Ancestry doesn't have enough data to determine your dog's breed, they make a guess based on which breeds are commonly found in your location.
You have to test again to stay up-to-date on their health findings
Ancestry may use your dog's DNA as part of their studies on canine health. However, one thing that really bothers their Know Your Pet customers is that Ancestry asks you to buy a whole new test to find out what they've learned, even if your pet's DNA helped to find new health markers. Other companies just let you know for free if they find new health issues or traits that could affect your pet.
Not reliable enough to recommend
We'd say "paws off" Ancestry's dog DNA test. Sure, the $99 price tag might seem competitive at first glance, but they seem to find every opportunity to take more money from you. This can come in the form of charges for failed tests, which may not even be your fault, or through processing fees when you seek refunds. What's more, there's a strong feeling that their tests just aren't accurate. Perhaps in the future, their accuracy will improve. Maybe one day they'll shape up, but for now, we suggest you sniff out one of Ancestry's more reliable rivals.
Continued from above...
Have you ever looked at your dog, with her mismatched ears and quirky habits, and thought, "What in the world are you?" Well, you're not alone. Many dog owners are turning to DNA tests out of curiosity about their furry friend's breed, health predispositions, and even unique behavioral traits.
Whether you adopted your pup from a shelter with a mysterious past, or simply want to understand why your dog insists on greeting any visitors with a toy in his mouth, a DNA test might just hold the answers. However, there are quite a few services offering dog DNA tests these days, so you may be wondering if one is much different from the other.
Some tests focus solely on identifying breed composition, which can be fascinating for owners of mutts - who knew your funny-looking Boston Terrier has a Chow Chow great-grandparent? If you want to be proactive in managing your pet's health, you might prefer a test that screens for genetic health conditions. Some tests analyze traits and behaviors, shedding light on why your dog might exhibit certain habits, like digging up your dahlias or barking exclusively at his reflection in the oven door.
Some popular dog DNA tests also offer a relative database feature, connecting you with other dogs that share your pet's DNA. This can be a fun way to "meet" your dog's relatives and possibly even find some siblings. If this is important to you, double-check that the service you're considering offers this.
Some companies out there offer tests that can identify food or drug allergies your dog is likely to have. Other tests can estimate their age. These options can be really useful if something is making your dog sick, or if you're just curious about how old they really are. You may want to pay a little more for a breed identification test that includes health screenings for genetic disorders. This way, you can prepare for potential health issues and discuss preventive measures with your veterinarian.
As you shop online for a dog DNA test, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Choosing the right dog DNA test isn't just a walk in the park. It requires careful consideration of these factors. Whether you're driven by curiosity about your dog's breed or concerned about potential health issues, the right test can provide insights that deepen your understanding and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Top Consumer Reviews has sniffed out and ranked the best Dog DNA Tests available. We hope this review helps you fetch the perfect test for your four-legged buddy, making your shared journey even more pawsome.
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How Can Dog DNA Testing Help You?
Dog genetic testing can be useful for a variety of reasons. Maybe you want to know more about your pup's prestige, or maybe you worry about potential health issues - either way DNA testing could really help you!
In this article we'll delve into why its worth the time and effort to find out more about your pooch's background, and the things to look for once you decide to do it. The most important thing to remember of course is to love your dog no matter what, and to be prepared to brag about the results along with cute pictures on Facebook.
One important reason you might want to test your dog's genes is for their health. There are some dogs who are more sensitive to common vet medicines, and could have reactions to them. This especially applies to farm dogs or animals near other wildlife, as there can be things that the farm animals can ingest just fine, but when the dog eats their poop it can harm the dog. There is also a condition called "exercise induced collapse" that can be tested for at some companies. While these are some of the more serious health reasons you might want to test your dog, there are also plenty of fun reasons you might be interested in the process.
Dogs are super cute, it's just a fact. But when you look at your little pup's face, do you ever wonder what breeds are looking back at you? If your dog is mixed breed, like most dogs are now, chances are people have only guessed at what your dog's lineage is. You might think you have a border collie shepherd mix, but really the majority is lab! It can be fun to know what makes up your companion, especially to look up breed traits and see how well your dog matches them. You might even be able to learn about a type of breed you never even knew about, and see that it might just be one of your new favorites. While the reasons behind deciding to test your animal are important, it's also good to educate yourself about the process, and learn how to interpret the results of your test.
Dog genetic testing has changed with modern technology. While in the past places would need a blood sample from your dog, now they just need a cheek swab, like human DNA testing. The company will use a lab to take a strand of DNA out of the swab. They will then multiply the strand until they have what they need, and then they will test it against their own personal stock of DNA samples. What's important to know about this, is that bigger companies will have a bigger supply of "knowns", meaning they are testing your dog's genes against many more types. Smaller companies have fewer samples to compare with, which means their results can be skewed since they aren't testing against as many types of genetics. It's safest to go with larger companies so you can have a more detailed analysis of your dog.
Dog DNA testing can be very helpful for pet owners. The more dogs that are tested, the more we can learn about each breed, and each individual dog, to best take care of them. So go get your dog tested and make sure to share the results!
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