DNA testing has been around for decades. When you think about this scientific procedure, you probably think of criminal investigations or proof of parentage. Did you know that many pet owners are also using DNA technology to find out more about their canine companions? The Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test is one of the most popular options of canine DNA tests on the market.
There is a lot of information that a dog owner can gain from DNA testing. Of course, these tests will answer the burning question asked by many mutt owners: “What breed is my dog?” But, you can also learn about your dog's physical and behavioral traits, potential health troubles, and information about your pup's family tree.
Wisdom Panel has been involved with canine genetics research since the late 1990s, and in 2005 they launched their own line of dog DNA tests. Now, they are one of the oldest and most established names in dog genetic testing and have more than 15,000 breed signature samples and 250 different dog breeds in their database.
This Wisdom Panel kit came in for testing and review at a perfect time. We have a Beagle mix, Molly, and I have always been curious about her lineage. We know the breeder that she came from, and we have met both of her parents many times. Her father is a Cocker Spaniel and her mother is a Beagle. As you can see in the photos below, Molly looks very much like a Beagle.
We were told her parents were both purebred dogs, but you never really know for sure, do you? I wanted to perform a DNA test on Molly to find out about her exact breed makeup and learn about any genetic diseases that she may be a carrier of.
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Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test Review
The Wisdom Panel uses 11 different algorithm models to get over 18 million calculations per test! As you will see in my video review at the top of this article, you will receive multiple pages of breed details and analysis of the breeds that your dog is made up of.
You will receive an analysis of the physical traits of your dog, as well as information about the behavioral traits that your dog is expected to exhibit due to his genetic ancestry. You will also learn about the past 3 generations of your dog's family.
As you can see in my video, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Molly is a 50/50 mix of Beagle and Cocker Spaniel. If your dog is made of multiple breeds, you'll receive information about the dominant and recessive genes that he carries, and which traits (both physical and behavioral) that you're likely to see as your puppy grows.
This information can be especially beneficial to first-time owners and owners who adopt a mixed breed from a rescue or shelter organization. Knowing what to expect from your dog will make everything easier – from feeding to training.
If you know what your dog is likely to need or how he is likely to behave, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle or living environment in advance.
Let's say that the Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test shows that your dog will be very active. You may need to make more time for daily exercise, plan to fence in your yard so he can have plenty of outdoor playtime,s or change your work schedule to allow for more time at home with your pooch.
One thing that sets the Wisdom Panel test apart from others is that it will give you a detailed report of all the breeds that your pup was tested against and the results and matches that resulted from these tests. This level of transparency is quite refreshing and quite useful for owners that want to see exactly how the algorithms work and how their pup compared to other breeds.
You will also receive a printable certificate that shows your dog’s genetic background. This could be very beneficial for owners who plan to breed their dog or compete in dog shows or other competitions with their pets.
Additionally, in its Health section, the Wisdom Panel 4.0 will show you the multi-drug sensitivity of your dog, your dog’s physical traits like tail length and ear cartilage, as well as the expected size and weight, the exercise-induced collapse, and more. It will also show you interesting info regarding the coat length, color, and style of your future adult pup.
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As you'll see in my review video, it's very easy to perform the test. You will receive your kit with 2 swabs in a plastic envelope. You need to swab the inside of your dog's cheek with both swabs, and then place the swabs back into the plastic envelope.
You'll need to register for your test online and write your confirmation number on the envelope label. The shipping instructions, label, and everything else that you'll need is included in the kit.
It's so simple! You will have to wait about 2-3 weeks for your results, but believe it or not, that is about half the time that it takes to receive results from other dog DNA tests. The results will come to you via email, and as you'll see in my review video, they are very simple to understand.
The Wisdom Panel website walks you through all of the information that the test found about your dog. There are options to read more about the science behind the test and what your results mean. It's extremely user-friendly – even this technologically-challenged woman could figure it out!
The Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test sounds amazing, right? Well, it is. In fact, I would recommend that every pet owner have their dog's DNA tested to learn as much as they can about their canine companion.
I love that Wisdom Panel offers the option of screening for more than 150 genetic health conditions. This is by far my favorite feature. Thankfully, Molly's results were 100% clean for any genetic conditions.
However, if you do find that your dog is a carrier of one of these conditions you will have the time for preventative measures. Let's say your dog tests positive for arthritis. You can discuss this with your vet and get him started on supplements that will help prevent the condition for as long as possible.
Knowing about genetic health conditions before you start seeing the symptoms is a huge advantage! You can work with experts to ensure that your dog is getting the best nutrition, exercise, supplements, and any possible medical care necessary before you even see the signs of the disease. That factor alone is worth the cost of a Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test in my opinion.
So, now that I've told you how great the information from the Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test is and how easy the kit is to use, I've got to discuss the major drawback to this product. The test that I tried tested for the dog's breed and offered a health screening. This test sells for $149.99 on Amazon right now.
There is also a cheaper option that will test for your dog's breed and screen for drug sensitivities. That test sells for $79.99 on Amazon right now. If I were to recommend one, I would choose the more expensive option that screens for health issues. As I said, the knowledge that you gain is worth the cost of the test in my opinion.
But, I also understand that these tests are not going to fit into every pet owner's budget. If you can budget just a few dollars per week to save for a dog DNA test, I would highly recommend it. The Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test will provide you with information that will help you take the best care of your pet possible, and you may even learn about health issues that you didn't even realize your dog had.
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