The results are in..you won't believe it

Mac'N'Roe · 03-07-2008, 06:56 PM

Okay, well I got the results of Mac's DNA test. They found trace amounts of three breeds, and faint signals of other breeds which aren't strong enough to identify. So basically...too mixed to really say. But, the three breeds they saw the strongest were boxer, lab (okay..so far so good)..and get this....

Australian Terrior? huh???

That was really too much. Obviously their physical traits are not showing the australian terrior heritage. So, now I can atleast say boxer/lab mix. I think I'll throw in RR and mastiff just for fun...that's what I believe the other "faint signals" are from (he he) who knows the difference anyway, right?

So, here's some pics of my australian terriors playing!

A couple more

Mac'N'Roe · 03-07-2008, 06:58 PM

I need a new camera. I missed so many shots today because my camera is CRAP!

Enjoy, and thanks for looking!

Kuma Cho · 03-07-2008, 06:59 PM

The non-brindle colored pup looks a bit like one we got from NOAH about a year ago. We have no idea what breed he is!

Who does the DNA testing? We would really like to know the breeds in Bruno.

RonE · 03-07-2008, 06:59 PM

Oh, yeah, I can definitely see Australian

terrier.

Renoman · 03-07-2008, 07:02 PM

Great pictures!!

Those are some happy pups!

Obviously, the Australian Terrier is several generations back.....

I see RR in the solid color pup for what it's worth. The 3rd pic.. he's looking head on to the camera and I see RR in him... maybe I'm all wrong.

jcd · 03-07-2008, 07:43 PM

do you believe your results at all ? i see no boxer and especially that terrier dog they said. it seems like they are never close to what the human eye can see.

i would like to do this test but fear it isn't worth the $$$$$$$$$. seems like you still may have doubts.

what is your honest opinion on the entire process? would you do it again? jcd

Phoebe's Mom · 03-07-2008, 08:32 PM

I read that they cant identify Rhodesian Ridgeback with DNA because the gene that identifies it is patented.

lovemygreys · 03-07-2008, 09:40 PM

boxer/lab looks about right. Of course everyone thinks a dark red dog with floppy ears is a RR or RR mix...but RR are kinda big "dog shaped dogs" once you take away their ridge. And, not exactly a common breed so I really doubt there's as many RR mixes out there as people think.

Very handsome dog, whatever he is though

What company did you use? If I could find one that didn't require a picture, I'd love to send them some podengo dna and see what they find LOL Or...see if my greyhound comes back as a greyhound.

RonE · 03-07-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoebe's Mom

I read that they cant identify Rhodesian Ridgeback with DNA because the gene that identifies it is patented.

Who holds the patent?

I didn't know you could patent a gene.

Inga · 03-07-2008, 09:46 PM

Yeah Grey, I would love to see what they would come up with without a picture of the dogs as well. I mean, what do they need a picture for? Guessing the breed? It would be fun to send in a few dogs that you know the true identity of and see how accurate it is. I mean in this case I think they hit the nail right on the head. Obviously both of those 2 are mostly Australian Terrier. LOL I can tell by the short stockiness of them and the coat. LOL

Mac'N'Roe · 03-07-2008, 10:17 PM

Okay, so I used the Mars Wisdom Panel DNA test which did not require a photograph. It was actually a blood test that can only be administere by the vet. It ran me about $150...and it does include the RR in the breed list.

jcd - If I was to get another mixed breed, I may do it again..but not sure. The fact of the matter is, they are so mixed from generations and generations of mixed breeds...that they can only identify trace amounts of any particular breed. I'm sure there are many more in there (like mastiff and amstaff for example). I saw another person in the vet that had the test done and her results just came back as "mix breed"...so really, they couldn't really say for sure. These were the strongest correllations..but I don't really believe the results 100%. I think you would have to have a pure bred parent one of two generations back to show "significant" results...but that's just my take on it...not a scientific fact.

Potentially they have different heritage (different fathers)...as Mac looks more mastiff to me, and Roe looks more lab/RR/blackmouth cur type. I don't really see boxer in either of them that much anymore...I did when they were puppies...but not really anymore.

I love them so much...it doesn't matter what they are...I just want to know what to say when people ask other than "not sure". I don't like that answer...and I don't really like calling them Heinz 57 either. Southern Cur?

natureloverchris · 03-07-2008, 10:24 PM

Well, that's pretty funny!

Regardless they look like happy dogs and they are both beautiful

Mac'N'Roe · 03-07-2008, 10:39 PM

So, here's the mama Bellie...I can't really say that I see boxer, lab or australian terrior in her...can you?

Darkmoon · 03-07-2008, 10:54 PM

I can see boxer in their mother, along with both of your dogs.

Now the Aussie Terrier on the other hand, I have to laugh at.

Mac'N'Roe · 03-07-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

I can see boxer in their mother, along with both of your dogs.

Now the Aussie Terrier on the other hand, I have to laugh at.

yeah, she looks like a boxerXamstaff to me...

TeddysMom · 03-08-2008, 01:04 AM

They look like boxer mixes to me as does their mom. Great lovable looking dogs for sure!

lovemygreys · 03-08-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac'N'Roe

Okay, so I used the Mars Wisdom Panel DNA test which did not require a photograph. It was actually a blood test that can only be administere by the vet. It ran me about $150...and it does include the RR in the breed list.

Wow. I'm really surprised at the number of breeds they include in their test...esp compared to their main competitor (an actual genetics company) who offers a fraction of that. Since the Mars company has only been "into" genetics for 5 years it's especially....interesting they offer so many breed IDs. I also find it curious that they say their test WON'T work on pure bred dogs. I mean, if they can tell a dog has "trace" amounts of greyhound in it, why can't they tell it's ALL greyhound?

Quote:

Who holds the patent?

I didn't know you could patent a gene.

I actually did read an article that talked about the issue with RRs. The genetic marker to identify the ridge gene - unique to Thai and Rhodesian ridebacks - was patented by the scientist who found it and can't be used in the Mars test (intrestinly, the same company who makes Pedigree dog food). One person sent in the blood of their known pure bred RR and it came back as a Rottweiler mix and no mention of Ridgback at all.

While I'm not sure if you can patent the gene itself - unless it's engineered or scientifically altered - I suppose you can patent the process for identifying that gene.

Mac'N'Roe · 03-08-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

I also find it curious that they say their test WON'T work on pure bred dogs. I mean, if they can tell a dog has "trace" amounts of greyhound in it, why can't they tell it's ALL greyhound?

I actually did read an article that talked about the issue with RRs. The genetic marker to identify the ridge gene - unique to Thai and Rhodesian ridebacks - was patented by the scientist who found it and can't be used in the Mars test (intrestinly, the same company who makes Pedigree dog food). One person sent in the blood of their known pure bred RR and it came back as a Rottweiler mix and no mention of Ridgback at all.

I didn't see on the website that the test doesn't work on pure bred dogs. Where did you find this inforamtion?

This is interesting lovemygreys, because Rhodesian Ridgeback IS listed as a breed included in the Mars Wisdom Panel test, which is one of the reasons I chose this particular test. The article that you are speaking of actually said "Ironically, a genetic marker for the ridge that is unique to Thai and Rhodesian Ridgebacks has recently been identified - and Jones is well aware of it - but because the mutation has been patented by the scientists that found it, it cannot be used in the Mars test" Here's a link to the article you are referring to

http://www.newsday.com/news/columnis...3166530.column

I think this was a little misleading. "The genetic marker" and "a genetic marker" are two different things. Yes, they missed on one test...but that doesn't mean that is isn't included in the test and cannot be identified by the test.

http://www.wisdompanel.com/mixed_bre..._detected.aspx

lovemygreys · 03-08-2008, 09:33 AM

Its on their FAQ page:

Can the breed analysis test be used for purebred dogs?

No, the breed analysis test is for use only on dogs that are mixed breed to help determine their breed history. Mars Veterinary will be unveiling genetic tests that are specific for purebred dogs in the future.

Mac'N'Roe · 03-08-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonE

Who holds the patent?

I didn't know you could patent a gene.

The gene isn't patented. The mutation of a genetic marker is patented by the person who discovered it. Here's a link to the article she is referring to.

http://www.newsday.com/news/columnis...3166530.column