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toedtoes's avatar
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2016

Dog DNA Testing

Just wondering if anyone else has done this and what your thoughts were on the outcome.

These are my two dogs:


The big one is screenname Moose-dog (due to his long lanky legs) and the smaller one is screenname Bat-dog (due to her habit of laying on her back with her ears hanging down).



Moose-dog was 8 weeks when I got him and the foster parent thought he and his siblings were shepherd/rottie. Bat-dog was 4 months and they thought she was shepherd/pit/?. Both came from the same foster family 3 years apart and folks always think they're related (they're not). He is very sweet, always tries to be a good boy, loves people. When walking with a person friend, he will always keep a close eye on them to make sure they don't disappear - tripping us in his need to turn around and check. She is bossy, opinionated, talks back (literally), a major food thief with an iron stomach, and loves to sleep on her back. Both are mighty lizard hunters (although don't remind them they've never caught one).

So, I always had my suspicions as to what they were. At full age, I figured Moose-dog was shepherd-dobie with something else, and Bat-dog was shepherd with beagle (she talks), shar-pei or chow (she has the black on her tongue and a soft velvety coat in places), and who knows what else.

Before I say what the DNA testing came up with, does anyone else have any guesses?

I found it very interesting and it clarified a few things. All in all, it was worth the $50 each to have the testing done. I do keep a copy of the certificates in my RV - in case someone questions their breeds at a campground/RV park.
  • BLACK ON TONGUE IS IN NO WAY RELATED TO A CHOW. ANY BREED CAN HAVE BLACK SPOTS ON THE TONGUE.
  • Never had mine tested because I've always had pure breads, but I'd say definitely shep in both. Moose's legs look like Dobie and the tail looks lab-ish. Bat-dog (love the name!) looks like she has lab in her as well-face gives me that impression. There's probably more in there but those seem to be the dominate physical traits.
  • LadyRVer wrote:
    Interesting....couldn't even begin to guess, altho I see some shepherd in both of them.

    Thought about DNA for my little guy, he is supposed to be American-cockerspaniel,but most people ask if he is a King Charles.


    That can be difficult to guess - they have enough similarities that a "poor representation" of one could actually be the other. Could be interesting to see what his results really end up being (maybe he's neither). :)

    I had a purebred boxer who had boxer breeders asking what she was - she was ALWAYS very hurt when they asked and would hang her head in shame. Many folks thought she was a pit - it was during the 70s when pits were first getting the bad rap.
  • That's why I did the testing, especially with Bat-dog. She has some really distinct personality traits that require careful handling.

    Yours sound like great dogs - definitely bet the hound cleared up some personality oddities! :)

    I have the results back already. Just wanted to give folks a chance to make some guesses before I put it out there.
  • I'd probably say what you said your dogs are mixed as. Unless looks are obvious, I'm not very good at guessing.

    The first dog I had DNA on was advertised (through rescue) as a GSD/Pit. I didn't see Pit in her at all. When she was about 3 yrs. old it got the best of me---she was 88# with a muscular, long body and short legs. The DNA came back with so many mixes it was hard to tell, but what they could find was GSD, Collie, and Dachshund!

    The next dog I got thru rescue was advertised as a GSD/Pit too. He definitely looked it. I decided to have the DNA done on him too, as it can help determine some of the health problems to look for and also breed behaviors. As it turned out, he is full GSD from one parent and American Staffordshire Terrier AND Bluetick/Coonhound from the other. I never would have guessed the hound part, but later it explained some of his behavior/personality traits.

    I still have both--she's 7 1/2 yrs. and he's just over 2 yrs. old.

    PLEASE post what your pups are after getting the results!
  • Interesting....couldn't even begin to guess, altho I see some shepherd in both of them.

    Thought about DNA for my little guy, he is supposed to be American-cockerspaniel,but most people ask if he is a King Charles.