Doggie DNA Testing of the Tests

This blog is the second part of the story about Jojo: Vicious Pit Bull or Beagle or Boxer or Neither...

(don't forget that different colored text is linked to the appropriate website for more information)


We are DNA testing a puppy we have for adoption.  I have heard mixed reviews from people who have done DNA testing, so we purchased one test from each of three different DNA Breed testing companies.

We received the test kits in the mail last week and here is some information about each test kit.

Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel


This company claims to detect 170 different dog breeds.  Those breeds included are listed on their website.

The cost of the test is $79.99 with free shipping. I searched the Internet for a coupon code and used coupon code INSIGHTS10 to receive $10 off.  That was nice! The total cost of the test procedure was $69.99.

The test kit included 2 brush swabs and a postage paid submission envelope.  This test was shipped in a corrugated cardboard box which held a card stock box with the kit contents.  There were brochures with photos, and easy to follow instructions.  This test is obviously packaged for the pet owner, colorful and informative with photos of pets and their people.  If you are a green person, who dislikes excess packaging, this is not the test for you.  See photo below...

You must rub each brush inside the cheek for 15 seconds and allow a 5 minute drying time for the brushes.  Return the swabs in the enclosed prepaid standard business sized envelope.

DDC Animal DNA Testing

This company claims to detect  62 of the AKC's most common breeds.  Those breeds included are listed on their website.  DDC is a provider of human DNA testing for many programs such as Maury Povich, Dr. Phil, Dateline, Lopez Tonight, Nancy Grace, Larry King Live, Geraldo, and more.  They also did the paternity testing for Anna Nichole Smith's baby. For more information, visit their website at http://www.dnacenter.com/ .
The cost of the test is $68 with free shipping.  I was unable to find any coupon codes.  The total cost of the test procedure was $68.

The test kit included 4 Cotton swabs and the  postage was not paid.  It is your responsibility to pay return shipping.  The test kit arrived in a 9" X 12" manila envelope.  The test kit is very condensed, no color brochures or photographs of puppies.  The paperwork looks as though this test is geared toward a laboratory professional rather than the general public as far as perks and pretties, but it is equally simple to perform and the instructions are quite easy to interpret.  See photo below...

You must rub each cotton swab for 10 seconds inside the cheek.  There is no stated mandatory drying time.  Return the swabs in the enclosed standard business sized envelope after adding postage which is negligible.

Heritage DNA

This company claims to detect  over 100 dog breeds.  Those breeds included are listed on their website. 

The cost of the test is $79.95 with free shipping. This company accepts coupon codes but I was unable to find any current codes online.   The total cost of the test procedure was $79.95.

The test kit included 1 brush swab and a postage paid submission envelope. The test kit arrived in a 5" X 7" manila envelope.  There was some color on the forms and puppy photos to enhance testing procedure instructions.  Everything was simple, and easy to interpret.  See photo below...

You must rub the brush for 30 seconds inside the cheek. There is no stated mandatory drying time.  Return the swabs in the enclosed prepaid standard business sized envelope

 
We followed each tests individual instructions on Jojo, as each test kit is slightly different in their instructions.  She was well behaved but was not sure what we were doing, why we were doing it, and she really just wanted to play with the little stick we kept shoving into her mouth. 

Each company's procedure is simple and similar to the others with some minor differences, which I have outlined here.  The tests are all comparable in price.  We are anxious to see if there are similarities in each company's interpretation of Jojo's DNA sample.  Only time will tell.

Watch Jojo's DNA testing procedure on YouTube video here:...Jojo's DNA Test
 

Jojo being DNA tested...

see more Jojo photos in our previous blog entry...

We shipped all three samples back to their respective laboratories at 3pm Friday, October 8, 2010.  The postmaster advised us to purchase bubble wrap envelopes for the samples, saying that flat envelopes were not sufficient and would get damaged due to the shape of contents within the package. I decided that these companies send these test kits out many times throughout the year and reliably get the samples returned to them in their provided envelopes.  I suggested that we write "Hand Cancel" on the business envelopes, and the postmaster agreed, saying, "That would work". 

The one thing that all the tests had in common is a three week turnaround time. 

So here we are again, waiting...  Waiting for the results of the tests...  Waiting for a forever family for Jojo...  Waiting for laws that will protect our animals rather than condemn them...

We can only hope...

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