Recent News
Test reveals mixed-breed mysteries - The Northwestern.com
June 26, 2008
Through the marvels of DNA testing, dogs of vague or unrecognizable ancestry — whether fluffy white mongrels with Chihuahua ears and beagle-like voices or massive hounds that resemble nothing previously seen in nature — are being exposed for what they really are, genetically speaking. more >>
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What Breed Is Your Dog? - My Fox Los Angeles
June 25, 2008
More dog owners are learning more about their furry friend's past, thanks to the help of DNA testing. Up until recently, mixed-breed dog owners had to guess about the genetic makeup of their canine. more >>
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Well, I'll be doggone! DNA results for the canines on 6D - mywire.com
June 25, 2008
She's not a border collie, coloration notwithstanding. "Coat coloration often gives people the impression of a certain breed," says Neale Fretwell, head geneticist for Mars Veterinary. Ellie's looks prove that "a unique combination of breeds can bring some surprises." more >>
DNA tests sniff out mutts' breeding - USA Today
June 24, 2008
Through the marvels of DNA testing, some of the greatest mysteries of Mutt-dom are being revealed. Dogs of vague
or unrecognizable ancestry — whether fluffy white mongrels with Chihuahua ears and beagle-like voices or massive
hounds that resemble nothing previously seen in nature — are being exposed for what they really are, genetically
speaking. more >>
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DNA Study Unlocks Mystery to Diverse Traits in Dogs
June 22, 2008
What makes a pointer point, a sheep dog herd, and a retriever retrieve? Why do Yorkshire terriers live longer than Great
Danes? And how can a tiny Chihuahua possibly be related to a Great Dane? Dogs vary in size, shape, color, coat length
and behavior more than any other animal and until now, this variance has largely been unexplained. more >>
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Animal Shelter Using DNA Testing to Get Dogs Adopted - KTTV-FOX Los Angeles
June 17, 2008
DNA testing for dogs sounds a bit extravagant but it's a tool used by pet adopting groups to place more dogs in loving homes. Hal Eisner has more on how it works.
more >>
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Wisdom Panel™ MX - results are in! - HUGADOG.COM
June 16, 2008
I decided to have Kandy and Smiley tested for breed identification. The folks at Wisdom Panel™ MX claimed to
be 95% accurate. I had no reason to doubt their validity so I got two DNA test kits.
more >>
DNA Testing - PETORPHANS.ORG
June, 2008
The Wisdom Panel™ MX Mixed Breed Analysis is the most comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs.
Blood samples from thousands of AKC and UKC certified purebred dogs have been closely analyzed to
detect specific combinations of genetic markers to help reveal the breed heritage of mixed breed dogs.
more >>
The B Plot Father's DNA - THECOASTER.NET
June 11, 2008
This Father’s Day, Truman celebrates his second year as my adopted baby. He is definitely a Virgilio
family member – making me crazy and love him concurrently. I received the results of my baby’s Wisdom
Panel doggy DNA test. The eight-pages of customized results were surprising and the information that
accompanied the results was cooler than I ever imagined.
more >>
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A dog's life - TIMESUNION.COM
June 9, 2008
It's official. Test shows ZZ's lineage spans three continents...follow-up to March 2008 story ZZ is an
18-year-old (yes, 18) mixed-breed dog and will have his DNA tested to find out what his lineage is.
Read the story, watch the video and discuss here what you think may be ZZ's breed or breeds.
more >>
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Dog DNA Testing - PUPPYADAY.BLOGSPOT.COM
June 9, 2008
Michael Janairo, Staff Writer for Times Union in Albany, NY had his dog ZZ undergo a DNA test to determine
his linage. Prior to the revealing the DNA test results, he made a video so readers could guess what
breeds make up 18-year-old ZZ. Those are some genes to have carried that dog for 18 years!
Check out the video all about ZZ and see if you can guess his breed too before reading on!
more >>
Doggie DNA - WBUR.org
May 29, 2008
In Boston, it seems not all dogs are considered equal. After a number of Pit Bull attacks five years ago, the city passed an ordinance that slaps a muzzle on dogs of the breed in public.
In the next few weeks, city officials are reexamining the law to assess its effectiveness.
They'll also look at how a new test of dogs' DNA could change things. WBUR's Monica
Brady-Myerov picks up the story from here. more >>
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Help Strengthen the Bond Between Your Man and Your Man's
Best Friend This Father's Day - SunHerald.com
May 27, 2008
Nobody loves your dad as much as you do -- nobody except for your four-legged family member. This Father's Day, surprise the dads in your life with a unique gift that could help strengthen their relationships with their beloved canine companions. Just in time for dad's big day, Mars Veterinary, a division of MARS® Incorporated — a world leader in pet care — has expanded the availability of its popular Wisdom Panel MX mixed breed test for dogs by offering the test kit directly to dog owners for purchase online. more >>
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Me and my Germador Spanherd - Unraveling the genetic mysteries of mutt DNA - NWSource
May 25, 2008
Late last winter, I swabbed the inside of my dog's cheek with a Q-tip-sized bristle-brush and sent it off with $65 to the labs of MetaMorphix. The life sciences company in Belstville, Md., had just launched something called the Canine Heritage Breed Test, and I was curious to discover exactly what breeds braided through the DNA of my Seattle Animal Shelter dog. more >>
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New DNA Tests Can Reveal A Dog's True Identity - WJZ.com
May 22, 2008
Millions of Americans are owners of mixed breed dogs. The number one question many face is "what kind of dog is that?" Mary Bubala reports on a new test that could help millions of dog
owners figure out what's in the mix. more >>
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See the video >>
DNA testing can determine the breeds that make up your 'mutt' - WKYC.com
May 22, 2008
A new DNA test can not only tell you what your mutt is made of but also what health
problems he may risk. Piper was discovered at the Cleveland APL about eighteen years ago. He's an old dog and we think he may be a mix of Scottish Deer Hound and Lab. But we could never be sure until now. more >>
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Dog to receive DNA test to decide therapy future - Northeastern Pennsylvania Times-Leader
May 19, 2008
In most ways, Libby is very similar to her namesake, Libby Island off the coast of Maine. Libby, a golden retriever mix, will receive the proper training methods to become a therapy dog. The golden retriever mix is calm and beautiful, and will eventually help people relax, working as a therapy dog. But first, she will undergo DNA testing to see just what she is mixed with in order to receive proper training. more >>
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DNA testing available for pets - Times Leader
May 16, 2008
A 10-MONTH-OLD puppy, better known as Murray, began his stay in the Belmont County Animal Shelter as a stray canine, desperately in need of a home. After being diagnosed with parvo, an extremely contagious virus, he was hospitalized at the New Horizon Animal Hospital in St. Clairsville. There, he found, not only the medical attention he needed, but also, his identity. more >>
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Who Let The Dogs Out - CBS4.com
May 13, 2008
Appearance and a written pedigree have been used to define a dog's breed. But owners now have the resources to identify with some accuracy the different breeds of a dog based on its DNA. A mixed breed dog is any dog that is not a purebred, often a mixture of two or more different purebred dogs. There are advantages and drawbacks of owning mixed breed dogs. But one thing for certain, owners do not have to have a purebred to get that wonderful unconditional love from a pet. more >>
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DNA testing reveals mutt's mystery makeup - Saint Paul Pioneer Press
May 10, 2008
When Mindy Fox learned that her young niece planned to get rid of the rambunctious mutt she'd adopted as a puppy, she decided to add Mr. "Bo" Bojangles to her own menagerie in the town of Brooklyn. Fox's niece claimed Bo's mother was a German shepherd and father was a Rottweiler. "But Bo doesn't look anything like a Rottweiler — he's blond!" Fox said. Fox and her friends found themselves spending quite a bit of time speculating about the ancestry of the high-spirited mystery mutt. more >>
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Think You Have A Purebred? You Could Be Wrong - WBALTV News
May 5, 2008
A Towson woman who paid $880 to add a second purebred Chihuahua to her brood found out the dog she got wasn't what she paid for. Christine Smith said she started to wonder if she wasted her money after the puppy grew larger than her adult Chihuahua. more >>
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"National Pet Week" Radio Spot - Tan Talk Radio Network
May 2, 2008
The Tan Talk Radio Network says, "One of the latest advances in pet care can help determine what breeds are in mixed breed dogs. Wisdom Panel™ MX, the most comprehensive DNA-based test for mix-breed dogs allows veterinarians to detect 134 that may be present in mixed breed dogs and help strengthen the pet-owner bond."
Listen to the Audio (.mp3 format)
Doggie DNA - NBC Fresno
May 1, 2008
Six years ago Suzanne Brocks of Fresno decided to breed her female Chocolate Labrador with a friend's male Chocolate Labrador. The breeding was successful, but a couple of days later the Brocks caught a neighbor dog in their backyard with their dog. "So at that point we weren’t sure what had happened if anything, so we’re very concerned, but still the puppies were great and eleven puppies was a big litter and a lot of fun, but it was definitely puppies all over the yard," said Brocks. Although both parents were chocolate Labs, all of the puppies were black Labs. Brocks wasn't sure whether another male had gotten to Jessie, but six years ago there was no way to tell. Now there is. more >>
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Purebred or Pure Mutt? Test Your Dog's DNA - Grand Rapids Press
April 28, 2008
At 110 pounds, she's big. And her coloring looks like a St. Bernard. But there's something different about the dog's muzzle, as if she got a face lift. Sarah Newton was told at the shelter where she adopted Cadence Mae three years ago that the dog was a mix of a St. Bernard and mastiff. In about a week, the Rockford woman should know for sure. more >>
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Tracking Down What's In The Mix - Mankato Free Press
April 23, 2008
Her long legs made her a suspect, but it was a DNA test that proved Gidget was an imposter.
It all started when the Henricksens decided to add another dog to their family. "We had dachshunds before," Gwen Henricksen said, "so we talked about getting another one." more >>
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The Allan Handelman Radio Show: Dr. Becker Interview - WZTK FMTalk 101.1
April 20, 2008
This nationally syndicated radio show interviews veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker about the benefits of the Wisdom Panel™ MX test. He clearly articulates how the test is administered and the benefits of working with a vet to understand and interpret the breed makeup of a dog.
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DNA Testing Goes To The Dogs - Rocky Mountain News
April 17, 2008
Maryanne Mattson used to look at her beloved mutt, Bridget, and see Labrador in her eyes, Irish setter in her spots and pit bull in her jaw. Now, thanks to new doggie DNA technology, Mattson has an altered view of the pooch she adopted more than three years ago: Bridget has traces of more than six different breeds including Labrador, German shepherd, dachshund, chow chow, Airedale terrier and Irish setter. more >>
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A breed apart
March 24, 2008
From the Albany Times Union: When he was adopted in 1990 from the Blackhawk Humane Society in Waterloo, Iowa, ZZ a nickname for Zeke Zlotsky was 6 months old and housebroken. But his lineage, his early upbringing and why he was given up are all unknown. more >>
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DNA test allows dog owners to find out their mutt's makeup
March 24, 2008
Tracy Dingman of the Albuquerque Journal reports: Sandy Collins suspected the fuzzy little pup she adopted from the Animal Humane Association four months ago was part Rottweiler. "Charlie's got this blocky head and thick muzzle," she said. "I've raised Rotties before, so I thought he might have some in him." As he grew from 4 1/2 pounds to 52 pounds in three months, Collins became more determined to find out what kind of dog she had adopted - and just how big he might get. The Albuquerque nurse went online and learned that there's now a DNA test, available at a handful of local veterinarian offices, that can determine which breeds of dog make up your mutt. more >>
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Dogs and DNA
March 23, 2008
KFYR-TV NBC Bismark, ND - News Video Clip. "Dog has always been known as man's best friend. And it's that best friend that greets you at the door when you come home or snuggles with you when you're feeling down. But, if that best friend happens to be a mixed breed, have you ever wondered which breeds are in your dog's ancestry? When Sherlock was adopted two and half years ago, there was no way to tell what kind of dog he really was. He has the markings of a Shepherd, but do those colors tell the full story? Well, there is a new test that does just that, and all it takes is a blood sample and short trip to your veterinarian." more >>
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Test can tell ancestry of any dog
March 21, 2008
The Coloradoan from Ft. Collins, CO features a story about columnist, Chrisie Long's testing of Pancake, the family dog. "We are often stopped on walks around town by curious folks who want to know what breed she is. I used to say that she was a terrier mix, or at times I even jokingly told people that she was a new Belgium terrier. But now, I know exactly what Pancake is - she's a curly-bed-scotti-hua-hua, or something like that. Thanks to a new test from Mars Veterinary, called the Wisdom Panel, I can discover the ancestry of any dog with a simple blood test." more >>
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Who's your daddy?
March 17, 2008
From the Boston Herald website: "Mystery mutts and their masters can both stop scratching their heads thanks to a breakthrough DNA test unlocking the parentage of those accidental designer dogs that all seem descended from Labrador retrievers." more >>
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DNA dog test reveals parentage
February 27, 2008
The Carver Lake Veterinary Center on Ventura Drive, is at the forefront of a scientific drive to answer that enduring dinner table question: what breed is your dog? Owners can take their pooch to the practice and get a detailed breakdown of the breeds which make up their mutt through a simple blood test. more >>
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Dr. Carol On Pets - Canine : DNA Revealed!
February 13, 2008
Dr. Carol Osborne's popular website newsletter tells dog owners, "The Wisdom Panel™ MX test is the most comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs..." more >>
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Figuring out Fido's family tree
February 11, 2008
The doggie euphemism "All-American" was coined as a politer way to say "mutt." It never caught on, and perhaps just as well. After a boxer named Tasha lent her DNA to scientists to map the dog genome in 2005, advances in canine genetics have continued with as much speed as a border collie on an agility course. Today, at least two companies are offering DNA tests to identify the ancestors in a mixed breed's background. And the potential market is huge: Roughly half of all dogs in this country are mixes. The better-known of the two tests is the Mars Wisdom Panel™ MX Mixed Breed Analysis. more >>
Martha Stewart Enlists Wisdom Panel™ MX to Help Her Viewers Answer: "What Breeds are in my Dog"
February 8, 2008
On an episode of her show that aired on February 7, homemaking maven Martha Stewart helped provide some "WISDOM" to the millions of mixed breed dog owners eager to know, "what breeds are in my dog?" With the help of renowned veterinarian and author Dr. Marty Becker and Mars Veterinary's new Wisdom Panel™ MX Mixed Breed Analysis, Martha highlighted the benefits of understanding the breeds that make up a mixed breed dog and the important role veterinarians play in canine genetic testing. more >>
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New Doggie DNA Test Answers "What's My Dog?"
October 3, 2007
Since rescuing her mixed breed dog Sol three years ago, Becky Shelton, like millions of other dog owners, often wondered what breeds make up her mystery dog’s background. Beyond satisfying her curiosity, Shelton wanted to find what potential issues may affect Sol throughout his life. But it wasn't until Shelton's veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker, invited her to be among the first ever to use the science of canine genetic testing through the Wisdom Panel™ MX Mixed Breed Analysis, that she finally learned Sol's real genetic identity. more >>
"Science" article reviews Mars canine genetic research.
Scientists First to Isolate a Single Gene Common to All Small Dogs
April 5, 2007
From the smallest Chihuahua to the largest Great Dane, dogs dramatically vary in size, much more than most other animals. Now scientists have discovered a genetic basis for this diversity. A new study published in tomorrow's edition of the research journal Science reveals a genetic marker that may determine whether dogs are big or small, and helps answer a burning question in genetics – how could dogs as a species have such a tremendous variation in size? more >>