DNA

In the 1980’s the scientific use of DNA was exploding, especially its use in courts to identify suspects or specific evidence as it related to a particular investigation.  Over the last thirty years, the use of DNA has accelerated in the medical field to find cures for diseases, identify genetic material, cloning, treatment protocols and determining family trees and heritage.   So why not try to do the same for a pet?  What was once an expensive test, now is a reasonable cost to determine the genetic history of your pet, say your dog!  And that is what I recently did.

Some background:  I never had a dog during my lifetime.  Oh, a couple of strays wandered into the backyard occasionally, but my mother made sure that they were quickly moved on because we had no money to feed another belly. 

About six years ago, my daughter who was in high school begged me to get a dog… everyone seemed to have one in the neighborhood; a California thing I guess. So after much family discussion about who would care for such a pet, we set out to search for the perfect dog.  Near our home is an animal shelter; I made many trips to that shelter looking for the perfect dog.  I never found one.  Pit bulls, Chihuahuas, barkers, yappers… none seemed to be the one.  We went to a couple dog adoption fairs; nope!  Then we found a place that sold dogs in a neighboring village.   It was a pet store and they had a few puppies:  aren’t they always so cute! 

 

While looking at them we noticed this really cute, furry, tan model which seemed energetic with personality.  After holding and playing with it my daughter announced that it was the one!  I suggested we wait a bit, you know, check around.  But of course the sales pitch, “I can’t hold him for you.”  So it was a now or never purchase.  

 12 weeks old.

I wanted an Australian shepherd or a German shepherd:  this one was offered as a Golden Retriever mix.  Boy was it cute!  Seriously. And the personality was on display; he took right to our daughter and literally wouldn’t let go!  Come on dad… “This is the one!”   So after paying $345, including shots and other things, we became the proud owner of a cute puppy which was allegedly born on 5/7/2010.   

At the first vet visit, the doctor checked “Mickey” over and asked what the date of birth was, as he thought Mickey was less than 8 weeks old and barely weened.  Also, he was curious about the breed:  we showed him the papers.  He thought maybe he was Golden and Husky mix.  I showed him black spots on the tongue and he said that it was from heavy pigmentation found in animal cells.  He assured me that the Chow breed required a blue-black tongue and gums and were bred specifically for that in the mouth. 

 

 One Year Old

 So for the last six years we have enjoyed having a Golden Mix.  He has a beautiful long tan coat, is about 60 pounds and stands about 22 inches at his shoulders, slightly smaller than the local pure Goldens we see in the neighborhood.  Mickey has continuing ear problems and skin issues, but otherwise is a healthy dog.

  Two Years Old

Mickey is instinctively protective of the house and daughter.  Nothing come between him and her.  And if you do, he lets you know you have invaded her space.  He is not a dog’s dog.  He loves interaction with humans and always seeks them out.  If they happen to have a dog with them, he will cautiously work his way around the dog to get to the owner for that reassuring pet and affection.  

One thing I noticed is that Mickey LOVES to pounce on gopher holes.  If he sees a mound of fresh dirt he immediately pounces on it and frantically digs, his nose buried into the small hole.  Not a retrieving instinct, for sure. 

Four Years Old

So who is Mickey?  What is his heritage?  I decided to find out through a DNA test.  I did some research and determined that “Wisdom Panel” was highly recommended.  So I set up the account, received the swabs, took the sample and waited for the results.  Within a week and a half I received the results: 

 

Mickey is determined to be 25% Chow Chow, 25% American Staffordshire terrier, 13% Siberian husky, and 37% a mix of three distinct breed groups.  These groups comprise the Terrier Group which includes the Russell Terrier, Schnauzer and Chihuahua; the Companion Group which includes the Pug, Shih Tzu and the Pomeranian; and the Sighthound Group which includes the Irish wolfhound, Whippet and the Italian Greyhound.   Did you notice… No Golden Retriever!   So regardless of what the “paperwork” says, it isn’t always accurate.

 Six Years Old

Now that I know what Mickey is (genetically) I can understand some of his characteristics:  terriers hunt vermin and were bred to go down the holes of the fox and other pests; the Chow is protective of one or two family members and sometimes adopts an aloof disposition to people other than their owners; and the Am Staff is a people-oriented dog who is loyal to his family.  The Am Staff is also vulnerable to skin allergies 

So that is about it… we love Mickey just the way he is…. he’s a “Good Boy!”