Genetic Testing?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I am wondering if anyone has had their ALD genetically tested to find out what mix of breeds are present in their dood?  I am considering having Tara testing more for the fun of it than anything else :).

 

 Just wondering if anyone else has tried it?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I haven't done it but it would be fascinating.

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

Haven't tried but also thought it would be interesting! Megan looks related to yours.

[sandy b]

I haven't but thinking about it. Have you found a testing place? My brother has a shelter puppy (not a doodle) and was curious about the breeds. The results listed 7 different breeds the highest being a Belgian Terverun, next was a beagle which he most resembles. So we thought it might be fun to have Max checked from the same place.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That is really interesting!! I am not even familiar with the Belgian Terverun. I'm going to have research that breed!!

I have been considering using an in home test by Wisdom Panel Insights. They seem to have a large number of breeds in their data base. Some of the other in home tests only have sixty or so different breeds in their base and some of the breeds I expect to see in Tara's genetic make up are missing. It appears that you swab your dogs cheek and then mail in the sample for analysis. A fellow DKer. Eryn Wisdom, recently had her rescue dog tested. I copied part of the information she shared:



" I was the one who did the DNA test on my doodle Harlow! Yes, I did get it on Ebay, so check that out first! The test I ordered is a cheek swab test called Wisdom Panel Insights. Just Google it and you will find lots of info on their website. The test retails for about $80, but I found mine for $30! It would be fun to see the results, so let us know if you go through with it or ask me if you have any questions!"

I have my eye on one of these kits right now on eBay so maybe I will have one on the way by tonight if all goes well!!! If you decide to do the test it would be interesting to compare them! I have a feeling that the ALD genetics vary widely!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Okay, so I bought the test kit today!!! Now I'm getting excited about it!!

[Candy & Hudson]

I can't wait to hear the results of this!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'll update you as we go! It will take a week or so to get the test and then we send it off. I think it takes about 2 weeks to get the results. Stay tuned!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Okay so we have accomplished step one in the process!! The DNA test arrived today. The next step is taking a swab of Tara's mouth and then sending it to be analyzed. It says on the box it can take up to 3 weeks to receive the results. Check out the dog on the back of the package. I think it looks like a Doodle!! What do you think?

[Candy & Hudson]

Hey Ricki! I think the dog on the back does look like a doodle :) Did you ever get the results back for this?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, we got the results some time ago and then I spent the next week discussing it with Tara's breeder and the lab because of the weirdness of it!!!! Apparently Tara is a Pulidoodle and there is no "L" in my ALD at all!!! LOL!!

The test said Tara was at least 25% miniature poodle, 25% cocker spaniel and 25% Puli!!! And that at least one of her grandparents was a purebred m.poodle, a pure bred cocker spaniel and pure bred puli. Well, that is just NOT accurate. Her breeder has all of her lines documented and of course there hasn't been a pure bred in the line for ages!! And the breeder had bred all of Tara's grandparents herself so she knew exactly what they were. No PULI'S!!

The breeder said that in her experience the genetic testing is kind of hit and miss on accuracy and that in the ALD's, labrador retriever pretty much never shows up anymore. She thinks this is because the genes of the poodle and cocker spaniel are becoming more concentrated because breeders are favoring the coat/allergy friend traits of those breeds. The puppies chosen for future breeding have the desirable coats and therefore the highest poodle/c.spaniel genes.

My conclusion about genetic testing on ALD's is that their lines are way too diluted to read accurately in this particular lab's test. They do not have ALD as a breed in their testing data. So in this case, where Tara's grandparents were ALD's there is nothing in the data bank to match it to. I think this testing works best on first crosses or maybe second crosses but once you get into multi-gen breeding it just can't keep up. :(

My advise would be to save your money. Unless you need a good laugh! I have to go brush my Pulidoodle now..

[Candy & Hudson]

That is too funny!! I have an ALD as well and was not aware that there were often cocker spaniels mixed into the gene pool until reading it on DK! I thought he was just a mixture of poodle and lab! Anyways, good to know! Thanks for letting me know the results, even if it was just for a good laugh :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Hmmm. Never heard of a Puli. What are they? I can definitely see the miniature poodle and the cocker spaniel in my ALD, but he is still a puppy. Interesting to see what the test says, but I am really not interested in spending that much money to check it out.