Customer Reviews

Canine Heritage Dog-Breed Mail-In Test Kit, XL

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

If your mutt's ancestry is largely mutt -- that is, if there were no pure-bred dogs in his lineage for two or more generations -- the results you get are likely to be disappointing.

Enlarge the picture of the sample certificate accompanying the item description, and you will see there are three categories of ancestor: "primary," "secondary," and "in the mix." Unless one of your dog's parents was pure-bred, there will be no "primary" listed. "Secondary" refers to a breed that "may or may not have a strong influence on your pet," representing "less than a majority of your dog's DNA."

Quite possibly, you won't get even a "secondary," and have to content yourself with a couple of "in the mix" breeds, which appear in "low and measurable amounts." In other words, your dog shares a few markers with breeds that have no influence on its characteristics -- that is, you stand a strong possibility of getting very little information for your money.

So, try the test for fun, if you enjoy that sort of thing -- but, one way or the other, congratulate yourself for choosing an animal likely to be healthier, smarter, and generally superior to any pure-bred. Hooray for hybrid vigor! Hooray for mutts!

I tried this test for 2 mix breed dogs and was very disappointed. First try, they came up with nothing and asked for another sample on both dogs. Second time, only one dog was typed, with questionable results. The only thing I believed was that she was part Akita. The third try, they said they would use the "new" expanded data base. Finally, the second dog was typed, showing half Lab (which she obviously is) and nothing else. I don't know why they needed an expanded data base to come up with that. This whole process took 9 months since they were so slow in returning it after I sent off samples (6-9 weeks each time). I was so intrigued, I tried the other test available on Amazon by BioPet, and even though it was half price, it delivered much more reliable results on the first try, in only 2 1/2 weeks. First dog was Akita, Bulldog, Collie and Papillon. Second dog was Lab/English Setter. I think the second test had it right.

It is a good idea but I don't think it is accurate at this time. I ran this test on three of my mix breed dogs.

Dog #1) The test was not able to determine much at all about the dog I know the least about though they did offer to retest later when their database gets better. I am guessing that dog is 13 or 14 so he probably won't be around for that.

Dog #2) The person who gave us this dog said she came from a home with a German Shepherd bitch and a male Shar Pei. The were quite sure that her mother was the German Shepherd. The test came back with no indication of German Shepherd or SharPei though it did mention Chow, Shih Tzu, Akita and Saluki so I guess it was sort of close. I still can't figure out why they could not detect German Shepherd.

Dog #3) This dog really looks like a Shar Pei mix since he has loose skin, a blue tongue and odd shaped feet. He was tested 3 times and the lab claimed we never were able to send enough DNA to do the analysis. My husband threw the final set of swabs away in disgust. I am kicking myself because I let him do that. I should have sent them back with DNA from my AKC registered German Shepherd just to see what would come back.

I recently bought this DNA test to find out both the maternal and paternal heritage of my mixed breed rescue dog (I already knew that my puppy's mother was at least part border collie and small, weighing 30 pounds). After 6 weeks, the test came back with no border collie detected and only listed 2 dogs in a secondary role, both very large breeds that do not resemble my dog in any way. I wasn't hoping for any specific results---I'd love my puppy not matter what he was---but common sense, visual clues and behavior patterns said that he was probably a mix of border collie and Lab, primary breeds. Other dog owners frequently comment on my "pretty Lab".
Therefore, it is not a strong enough test to do what it says it can, doesn't even detect genes one generation back, and (according to emails from the company responding to my unhappiness with the results) it cannot detect or "mixes up" genes with dogs who come from border collie lines. I've been told there are better (but more expensive) DNA tests available for dogs at your vet. This product is not worth the money.

My brother adopted a little pound hound from a shelter. The shelter folks, to their credit, did not try to suggest she was some exotic mix--just a lab mix. The lab seemed clear--her face, coat and personality all supported that determination However, she is smallish (35 lbs) and has dorky little fold over ears. I thought it would be neat to get him a dog dna kit and see what they found.

I got this kit because it was recommended by a number of pet sites and dog magazines. Although it was more expensive than many of the kits, it boasted a significantly greater database. The kit arrived promptly and the instructions were clear. Essentially you rub a spoolie against the dogs cheek and pop the sample in the postage paid envelope. If you would like, you can upload a photo of your dog and they will include it on the "suitable for framing" certificate. The certificate has three categories; primary-which is usually not applicable unless one of the parents is a pure bred; secondary - a measurable amount of DNA indicating that the breed may (or may not) have a significant impact on your dog and finally , in the mix - low but measurable breeds.

After waiting eagerly, the results arrived, almost six weeks to the day. The certificate was cheap and cheesy. Yes, the dog's photo did appear but the paper was a regular piece of cheap copy paper. No primary breed, no in the mix, just a secondary breed, Chow. No lab, no hound, no terrier (his vet suggested lab and terrier, one of the shelters said lab and hound, my brother thought lab and terrier with a smidgen of German shepherd dog--really every dog has a touch of GSD). Ironically, my uncle used to raise chows so we are quite familiar with the breed and this little pound puppy is so not a chow. I emailed them, telling them we were very disappointed, so time will tell. I did have previous contact with customer service about a billing problem and they were very helpful and pleasant.

I think dog DNA tests for mixed breeds are a good idea. When you get a pedigreed dog you know what to expect in terms of behavior, training and potential health issues. Knowing the genetic make-up is immensely helpful in dealing with training and health concerns. So while the concept is good, the execution, at least of this kit, was not. The result was disappointing and the certificate really cheap. Skip it.

I, too, was very unhappy with the results from this lab. I have a blue merle, tan points, very long, thick coat. Everyone that sees him (including the vet) thinks he is an Australian Shepherd. He looks almost exactly like the Aussie pics on the web. The report came back with Labrador Retriever as secondary and Clumber Spaniel "in the mix". MMI Genomics states that breeds "in the mix" are LESS THAN 3%. Neither of these breeds have blue merle with or without tan points, nor do they have thick, heavy "collie-type" coats. When I let the company know that I doubted their test results they asked for a pic of him. After looking at the pic I was told that she (the representative) could "clearly" see the Clumber Spaniel influence. I could not recommend this test to anyone and am trying to decide whether it is worth having another lab do the test.

I bought this test for 2 of my dogs recently. They are pretty silly ... One of my dogs looks just like a Border Collie and is actually a Beagle mix is all we know - it came back Level 2 Keeshond and Yorkshire Terrier, Level 3 Airdale Terrier, Border Collie and Newfoundland. No Beagle. The next pup is a Husky mix that also looks like a collie (one parent was known half husky) - the results on this one were Level 2 Minature Pincher, Level 3 Chow Chow and Level 4 Collie. So on both dogs, the ONLY known breeds in both of them did not show up at all. What's the point??? It's the same as spinning a wheel of 100 breeds and making it all up.

I cannot comment on the accuracy of the test because I have not received the results yet! It's supposed to take 4-6 weeks. They received my samples on 7/23/10 and both my samples are still "in progress" as of 10/16/10. I have emailed them twice. The first time they said they had a huge backlog and it would be 2 more weeks before I get my results. Two weeks came and went so I emailed them again and got this response on 10/5/10:

"Unfortunately at the moment we are running a bit behind on our standard 4-6 week time frame. Our company does extensive DNA testing for all of the large Canine Registries (such as the American Kennel Club), and we also have a large cattle department that does similar work for the large cattle registries such as the American Angus Association. We recently received a very large and very unexpected project from the American Angus Association that has slowed us down a great deal in the Lab. This is not typical, but unfortunately something we're having to deal with at this time.

In addition, our company is presently going through a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring. Due to both situations we are behind. Your test will be completed, however, we cannot give you an exact time line at the moment, but we are doing our best to get the work completed. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Again, I apologize for the delay, but thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,

Canine Heritage Breed Test Customer Service"

I orderd this test for my dog in July of 2010 with assurances that in 4-6 weeks I would know the make up of mixed breed pet. Not only did I NOT receive the test results, now 11 weeks post receipt, but they keep sending excuses for the delay ranging from "the lab is too busy working 24/7 to get things out," "a big infulx of tests came in from the Cattle Association and they were a priority," if you can even get a response from them. In addition, there was no delay in taking payment, of course. And, to top it all off, today they emailed they are delayed as they are in Chapter 11 Bankrupcy and reorganizing...oh brother!

This company is poorly run, and they'll lead you on with promises of "it'll be in the mail on Friday". EVERYTHING that previous reviewers have said holds true for my experience as well.