Friday, April 17, 2015

Protection Dogs and DNA Testing

Why DNA Testing?
Owners of personal protection dogs may be proud of the breed of their dog; however, in many cases they do not know exactly what breed it is. Knowing the breed of your dog is very useful in the long run. If you are not completely certain what breed your dog is, try DNA testing. It is easy and the process does not take too long.

What is DNA Testing?

As mentioned above, DNA testing is important. For a dog’s DNA test,
A small tissue/saliva sample is taken – this will contain blood or skin cells 
Genetic profile is run – this will determine the DNA of your dog
Comparison with other profiles of known dog breeds – this will ascertain       which breed your dog belongs to.

It is a simple process and obtaining the sample from your dog is very easy while at home. Once you send it off to a lab, you just have to await the results. Even simpler is doing the DNA test at home, using a home kit. Many vets and breeders use them since these kits are the result of strict tests and are monitored to ensure you get a high quality product that gives you accurate results. They are a cheaper alternative to sending your dog’s samples to the vet’s office. There is also the added advantage of reducing your pet’s stress level when you do it at home.

Is DNA testing accurate?

This is the question that jumps to most people’s mind – yes, it is easy and simple, but is DNA testing even accurate? Several factors can affect the accuracy of a DNA test and subsequent results. The first and foremost is how you collect the actual sample. Before you get started, read the instructions very carefully so that you do not end up with a sample that does not contain enough DNA. 

The Final Verdict on DNA Testing

Should you get your dog’s DNA tested or not? It is really up to you. If as a dog owner, you do not care what breed your pet is, then do not have them tested. It is important to keep in mind, however, that with guard dogs, the breed of the dog really matters; same is the case with protection dogs. This is because not all breeds meet the protection dog requirements, including strong nerves, better instincts, courage, and various other factors. 

What to Do Next

If you have made up your mind to get a DNA test done on your guard dog, then on your next visit, ask the vet any questions that come to your mind regarding this matter. Your vet will provide you with some helpful hints, as well as recommend brands that give accurate results.


At CCPD, we take pride in providing our customers with purebred German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois personal protection dogs. However, that is not always the case when you buy a dog from somewhere else. Your family’s personal dog might not be the breed you think it is when you bought it. A DNA test can help you solve this mystery. To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

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