Dog DNA Test Kit: How Reliable It Is?

If you own a dog, being capable of understanding and reading his DNA can be very helpful for both you and your pet. First of all, it can explain to you the dog’s medical history and background.

It includes potential diseases they may be more susceptible to getting or even genetic abnormalities that require medication. In some situations, the best dog DNA test kit brings amazing results by proving that your dog is purebred.

DNA testing kits are a relatively fresh invention, so many dog lovers have questions about them, such as how much they cost and how accurate the results they produce are. Because of that, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding dog DNA test kits and provided solutions.

Dog DNA Testing: What is the Process?

Saliva includes DNA that can be examined in a lab. Thus most dog DNA test kits will instruct you to collect the swab sample from your dog’s mouth. Saliva samples are collected in a test tube and sent to a laboratory for testing.

Some companies that sell home DNA kits require customers to send samples of their dogs’ feces to do DNA analysis. After you have sent out your test kit, all that is left for you to do is wait for the laboratory to get in touch with you and give you the results.

Each dog DNA test kit seller will have a different level of detail in their results and their particular services. Some may provide you with the results through email, while others might call you and offer to set up a session with a specialist to address any queries you might have.

Are These DNA Test Kits provide Accurate Results?

Several veterinarians and genetics experts are hesitant to approve these dog DNA test kits that advertise to be 90% accurate or higher. It’s mainly because there is a lack of academic research that has been conducted to review that explain the procedures that these test kits use.

Personal suggestions believe that dog owners think the DNA kits are reliable because they can validate details like hair color and breed. Still, there is no third-party data to support this argument.

Moreover, this doesn’t mean that buying a DNA test kit for your dog is a waste of money or that the results will likely be incorrect. But, dog owners should treat test results with caution.

How Much Does a Dog DNA Testing Kit Cost?

The price of most dog DNA testing kits ranges from $50 to $160 or more. Most of the time, higher-priced options come with more counseling and help in understanding the results of genetic testing.

Since there isn’t a lot of peer-reviewed research on these testing kits, keep in mind that a higher price doesn’t always mean more accurate results.

Can a DNA Test be used to register a Dog?

DNA testing can assist with your dog’s formal registration as a pure breed, but the procedure is difficult and not guaranteed. You must buy a DNA test kit from an official authority in order to qualify for registration.

Furthermore, DNA testing taken in isolation are not reliable. If the dog’s parentage is known, it will be considered in combination with DNA profiling to assess a dog’s eligibility for breed registration.

Which Dog DNA Test Kit Is the Right choice?

It is impossible to identify which sort of test is more accurate because there is a lack of verified statistical data on accurate DNA kits. This makes it difficult to compare the different types of tests.

Some good tests let you talk to a trained professional who can help you comprehend your test findings and answer any questions you have. These test kits and counseling can also help you figure out what DNA tests show about your dog’s health.

While these dog DNA testing kits are not a perfect or well-understood science, there is a good chance that they can help you learn important things about your pet and increase your ability to provide your dog with the care, attention, and medical treatment they require to live a long and happy life.

Final Words

You are not the only one who is confused about the species of your dog. Several dog DNA companies are available to help owners in solving the puzzles of their mixed-breed pets.

But, dog DNA testing is not done to determine ancestry like human DNA testing is. Dog DNA kits typically identify your mutt’s breeds. Due to a lack of inbreeding, mutts have fewer genetic issues.

But there’s another goal that isn’t talked about as much but might be more important. Your dog may already have a disease or be predisposed to developing it later. Genetic testing kits can rule out the possibility or reveal a disease in its early stages.