Mixed Breed DNA Testing

maybe

14-08-2013

Well, I finally got around to buying a mixed breed dog DNA test for my old dog and I just got the results...

No surprise with one half of her parentage - a suggested mix of Malamute, Jack Russell, Lab, and Shepherd. I'd have guessed Collie/Shepherd/JRT, so not too different.

But the other side has come through as pure bred Dalmatian - for three generations! I am ASTOUNDED!

Here are some pictures of her:

Picture 1

Picture 2

I can't see any Dalmatian in there at all - never mind half

Has anyone else had their dog tested?

bazaar1

15-08-2013

Awww she is gorgeous. I was thinking about the same thing for my two. Which company did you use, were you happy?

maybe

15-08-2013

Thank you

I used Wisdom Panel - there was an offer recently which brought the price down by a third.

I'm not sure if I'm happy or not - I've emailed the company to ask for clarification about the Dalmatian element as it seems so unlikely. On the other hand, she was born in 1996 (the year 101 Dalmatians was released) so I suppose there might have been more Dallies roaming around.

I have tried to find out more about the breed and it does seem that the defining characteristics (white, spotted, crazy) are all recessive genes, so perhaps it's possible.

What surprised me most was that if I'd known I was getting a Dalmatian/Malamute mix, I'd have been concerned about temperament as both breeds have a reputation. But as it is, she's the most laid-back, biddable, trainable dog I've ever had.

So there you go!

I'm glad I've done it - it is fun, and I've wanted to do it for ages, but a bit of feedback from Wisdom Panel would make it more satisfying. I feel I want confirmation that the swab sample was good and that they are confident in her result.

molliepops

15-08-2013

No I wouldn't waste my money but if you have money to spare I guess it's as good a way to spend it as any LOL

I know what is in our cross she is very clearly retriever and collie.

Actually all our crosses have looked like exactly what they were I think.

maybe

15-08-2013

Originally Posted by molliepops:
“No I wouldn't waste my money but if you have money to spare I guess it's as good a way to spend it as any LOL”

It is expensive! I got it as a 17th birthday present for my dog (cough).

I hope she's happy with the results

bazaar1

15-08-2013

Originally Posted by molliepops:
“No I wouldn't waste my money but if you have money to spare I guess it's as good a way to spend it as any LOL

I know what is in our cross she is very clearly retriever and collie.

Actually all our crosses have looked like exactly what they were I think.”

I wouldn't bother for my jr x as I saw both parents, but the saluki cross is a mystery. No idea what he's crossed with, and it'd be good to know - bull lurches are different to collie crosses etc.

JJ75

15-08-2013

Originally Posted by maybe:
“It is expensive! I got it as a 17th birthday present for my dog (cough).

I hope she's happy with the results ”

17 is amazing!!!!! She deserves it

I would have loved to know what our old heinz was made up of, pretty sure there was terrier as she loved to dig.

bazaar1

15-08-2013

its really sad that we are seeing less true heinz 57s in the rescue, most are one cross one, no real mysteries, I love watching pups grow when you have no idea whats in them!

maybe

15-08-2013

Heinz 57 dogs are the best

I do worry sometimes that if I ever get another dog it will be hard to find a true mongrel.

JJ75

16-08-2013

Originally Posted by maybe:
“Heinz 57 dogs are the best

I do worry sometimes that if I ever get another dog it will be hard to find a true mongrel.”

They are built to last!!

There are not many people now who want mongrels, its all about the ridiculous designer crossbreeds - it get's right on my pip

Do let us know about if you get confirmation about the dalmation side of things - I cannot see any dalmation whatsoever

maybe

17-08-2013

Yes, they certainly are - I feel very, very lucky to have had my lovely dog for so many years.

I'll post an update when I hear back from Wisdom. They've emailed me to say they've manually checked her result - original readings are done by computer according to breed algorithms - and will contact me to discuss their findings within 10 days.

maybe

03-09-2013

I've had an update on Maybe's DNA results now - very detailed!

The revised result suggests a quarter each of Dalmatian, Malamute, Jack Russell, and mongrel. They produce eleven different models [trees] and select the one which has the best statistical likelihood. So the original tree scores higher, but they tweaked the result by incorporating information from the other models.

Quote:
“When evaluating Maybe’s results, we see that the quality of her sample was very good and that it yielded a very good genetic signature. Occasionally, the algorithm can go off on a bit of a tangent and that appears to be the case in this situation. In the original analysis, the algorithm appears to have selected a full parent Dalmatian parent with an Alaskan Malamute grandparent. However, when we look at the chromosomal match and the various ancestry trees that the algorithm built, we see that though she closely matches the Dalmatian signature, the algorithm has likely overestimated its presence a bit. Placing the Dalmatian as a grandparent is a better representation of her genetic makeup, though we still see the ¼ Alaskan Malamute. In reducing the Dalmatian, we do see that there is evidence of the terrier group with the algorithm calling a trace confidence Russell Terrier grandparent which was previously masked. The remaining grandparent does appear to have some Chihuahua and additional terrier in their makeup. Thus, a better representation of Maybe’s genetic makeup would place the trace Russell Terrier at ¼ of her ancestry along with the ¼ Dalmatian and Alaskan Malamute and so we have revised her report accordingly. Attached, please find the revised report.

From the pictures provided we can see that Maybe exhibits a short coat, drop (down, though base erect) ears, and an extended saddle pattern. All three of these traits are dominant meaning she only needed to inherit a single copy of each gene from any of her ancestors to express these traits. The Dalmatian and Russell Terrier both carry short coats and drop ears. Her base erect ears, however, tell us that she has had a recent prick-eared ancestor (Malamute) upon which the drop ear gene is acting. The widow’s peak on her forehead is seen in the Malamute as well. The agouti pattern of the Malamute’s coat closely follows the distribution of the saddle pattern and is associated with the same locus but different modifier genes acting upon it. You may wish to read more about here http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/tan.html

The overall shape and size of the ears, their position on the head, as well as the overall facial structures such as muzzle length and brow width are an average of the various breeds’ influences working together towards the average. Thus, it is not surprising that she exhibits an average ear size with a slightly longer muzzle length and intermediate brow width. Size is determined by a variety of environmental factors that influence adult size. Early life nutrition, dam’s nutritional status during gestation, as well as early life challenges such as parasitism and illness will impact the growth of a puppy. Genetics also impact adult size and a gene that is thought to be a major contributor to adult size is located on chromosome 15. In Maybe’s case, the Dalmatian has likely contributed a copy of IGF1 though the second copy has likely been passed down to her from the mixed ancestor based on the presence (or absence) of breeds on this chromosome.

Thus, as you can see, Maybe is the unique result of the various genes received from her varied pure and mixed ancestors”

This has been great fun

bazaar1

03-09-2013

Originally Posted by maybe:
“I've had an update on Maybe's DNA results now - very detailed!

The revised result suggests a quarter each of Dalmatian, Malamute, Jack Russell, and mongrel. They produce eleven different models [trees] and select the one which has the best statistical likelihood. So the original tree scores higher, but they tweaked the result by incorporating information from the other models.

This has been great fun ”

Wow, really detailed! So there is Dalmatian in there!

maybe

03-09-2013

Yes, Dalmatians - what a surprise!

The bit about the IGF1 gene (that's the gene which with a double copy leads to smaller size) is also interesting - having Googled it, it's also associated with longevity, and particularly so if combined with 'caloric restriction' (CR) in early life. CR means getting the right nutrients but in smaller or restricted quantities.

Maybe was the last in her litter to go from the rescue and has always been a rather diffident dog, so it got me wondering whether her sibs might have inherited just one copy of IGF1 and been altogether larger, sleeker and more boisterous dogs, meaning Maybe struggled a bit for milk and food during her puppy-hood.

Far from being a disadvantage, this would have set her up for long and healthy life.

It's all speculation, of course, but fascinating to be able to create a narrative based on genetics.

JJ75

03-09-2013

Wow thats so intresting!!! I would have loved to know what my old girl was made up of, in different angles she looked like different dogs!!

Am really surprised about the dalmation bit!! Never judge a book by its cover!

maybe

03-09-2013

Yes, I am so pleased I got this done - I'd held off for a couple of years, but this year I thought that it might be too late if I left it much longer. Also, we've been doing some family history research in our family, and I wanted to include Maybe

I'm glad also that I did it at this stage in her life - she's been a mystery for so long, and such a sweet and loving one; if I'd known her ancestry from the outset, I'd have had all kinds of ideas about her temperament (three feisty breeds in there!) instead of taking her as I found her.There's a moral in there for people who rigidly ascribe temperament by breed.

I also wonder what the company will do with the enormous database they must have by now - the information they have could go some way to helping the plight of pedigrees, as I suspect out crossing will become necessary for most 'pure' breeds in time to overcome the effects of a reduced gene pool. This database will give a lot of clues about how the different genes interact and modify each other.

Mongrels to the rescue!

JJ75

03-09-2013

Originally Posted by maybe:
“Yes, I am so pleased I got this done - I'd held off for a couple of years, but this year I thought that it might be too late if I left it much longer. Also, we've been doing some family history research in our family, and I wanted to include Maybe

I'm glad also that I did it at this stage in her life - she's been a mystery for so long, and such a sweet and loving one; if I'd known her ancestry from the outset, I'd have had all kinds of ideas about her temperament (three feisty breeds in there!) instead of taking her as I found her.There's a moral in there for people who rigidly ascribe temperament by breed.

I also wonder what the company will do with the enormous database they must have by now - the information they have could go some way to helping the plight of pedigrees, as I suspect out crossing will become necessary for most 'pure' breeds in time to overcome the effects of a reduced gene pool. This database will give a lot of clues about how the different genes interact and modify each other.

Mongrels to the rescue! ”

I think that should be next on your to do list, sort out the worlds pedigree problems

Mongrels rock and as all the data has proved are so much more intresting then pedigrees. Maybe is one lucky girl having an owner like you.

maybe

03-09-2013

Originally Posted by JJ75:
“I think that should be next on your to do list, sort out the worlds pedigree problems ”

Well someone's got to

Quote:
“Mongrels rock and as all the data has proved are so much more intresting then pedigrees. Maybe is one lucky girl having an owner like you.”

And I am very lucky to have her - here she is showing how exciting she's found having her DNA tested.

JJ75

04-09-2013

Originally Posted by maybe:
“Well someone's got to

And I am very lucky to have her - here she is showing how exciting she's found having her DNA tested.”

Ahhh bless her, she is a beauty isnt she!! Its all down to the exotic genes