Dog DNA Test – Frequently Asked Questions
Does the price of the test include processing? Yes. On completion of analysis, you will be mailed an Ancestry Analysis Certificate, suitable for framing. You will also receive a Behaviour, Health and Personality Summary which will give you general information pertaining to each of the breeds found.
Can I do the test myself? Yes, the collection process is very simple and can be performed at home by following the enclosed instructions.
Does the DNA collection hurt my dog? The DNA collection is painless. The sterile, gentle polyester tipped swab minimises any chance for infection or irritation.
Why are 2 swabs provided in the kit? We provide 2 swabs in each kit just in case there is not enough DNA on the first swab tested to get accurate results. The customer should take 2 swabs of DNA from their dog and return them both to us.
How do I send the swabs back to “What Breed is My Dog”? Once you have collected your DNA samples, simply put the swabs back in their paper sleeves, and place them, along with the Customer Information Card, in the enclosed prepaid envelope.
How long does it take to get results? Results are normally posted to you within 21 days from our receipt of the sample.
How does “What Breed is My Dog?” know which breeds are present in my dog? We have spent a considerable amount of time analysing DNA from purebred dogs to build a comprehensive reference database. Customers’ swabs are then matched to the database using a process called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). By matching your dog’s DNA with the breeds on our database, we can identify which breeds are present in your dog.
Can you confirm that my dog is purebred? The DNA Breed Identification test is designed for the sole purpose of identifying breeds found in the genetic composition of mixed breed dogs. If only one breed is detected in the dog it could be that the dog is purebred. However, the test can only identify breeds that are on the database and therefore, there could still be an undetected breed in the dog due to it not being on the database. The test also displays results in percentage levels the highest level being Level 1, over 75% of the dog’s DNA is from the breed listed. This is as accurate in terms of percentage, as the test can be.
What if there are breeds in my dog that are not on your database? All dog breeds are related to each other to varying degrees and go back to a common ancestor – the wolf. If the breeds that make up your dog are not on our database, your results may include the closest associated breed or a combination of breeds further back in your dog’s ancestry.
Will you be adding more dogs to your database? What Breed is My Dog? is actively working on adding more breeds to our database.
What do I receive with my results? All customers receive an Ancestry Analysis Certificate which will detail the results of the DNA analysis, this certificate is suitable for framing. Along with the certificate, customers receive a personality, behavioural and health summary for each breed in their dog.
Why are several breeds listed on my Ancestry Analysis Certificate and what does the order mean? In processing, breeds are detected as ranges rather than absolute values. These are then listed on your certificate as Levels, which are defined as follows:
Level 1: Over 75% of the DNA found in your dog is from the breed listed.
Level 2: Each breed listed represents between 37-74% of your dog’s DNA
Level 3: Each breed listed represents between 20-36% of your dog’s DNA
Level 4: Each breed listed represents between 10-19% of your dog’s DNA
Level 5: Each breed listed represents less than 10% of your dog’s DNA
How accurate is this test? It is understood that no analytical test is 100% accurate. If a breed is present in your dog that is in our database of 63 validated breeds, it should be detected. However, if DNA is found from a breed that is not in our data base, it will be assigned to the most closely related breed, or to breeds that are further back in your dog’s ancestry.
Go to the order page to buy online now or contact us on 029 2064 7019 or info@whatbreedismydog.co.uk