Column: Canine DNA testing could assist shelter canines be adopted extra rapidly

My future daughter-in-law, Aliaksandra, is a photographer, and he or she loved spending time over the vacations our household images going again to the 1800s. We additionally perused a DuVernet Household Historical past that traces my father’s household to the early 1100s in France.

The will to know from whence we and our family members got here is pervasive. Researching ancestry and DNA testing have change into standard lately for each people and pets.

Outcomes may be stunning, particularly in relation to canines. Take, for instance, the 50-pound Fido who seems to be half Yorkie.

One of many main canine DNA testing firms, Embark, not too long ago donated assessments for 10 of our longer-stay shelter canines in an effort to spark curiosity of their adoptions.

Embark assessments for greater than 350 breeds and kinds of canines. It’s estimated that about 75% of canines coming into shelters are blended breed. So, we had been excited to see the outcomes.

Shade, a 1-year-old, all-black, massive canine who appeared like a shepherd combine, turned out to be 35% poodle and 15% golden retriever, amongst different breeds.

Bonnie, a 25-pound black and tan canine with quick legs, got here again as 27% Chihuahua, 25% corgi, 25% Aussie, 12% tremendous mutt and 10% pit bull.

Shade and Bonnie have each been adopted since we acquired their check outcomes.

Boo continues to be accessible for adoption. She is a 4-year-old pup who’s 93% American bully and shares small quantities of her DNA with American bulldogs and American pit bull terriers.

Boo got here to the shelter again in September as a stray. She was discovered working free close to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena sporting a leopard print collar with no tag. Sadly, nobody got here ahead to say her.

On the shelter, Boo rapidly confirmed off her candy and playful nature. She’s an excellent affectionate pup who loves stomach rubs, working within the shelter’s play yard and visiting along with her favourite employees and volunteers.

Boo acquired the very particular honor of being chosen to be photographed with your entire Rose Parade Courtroom throughout their Day of Service at Pasadena Humane in October.

Her celebrity standing reached new heights when she was featured on KCAL’s “The Morning Wrap.” Boo charmed on dwell TV, calmly enjoyable on the bone-shaped doggy rug the studio offered for her, whereas leaning in for many pets.

Remarkably, Boo shares 46% of her DNA with two canines in Embark’s database. These two canines might both be one in all her litter mates or mother and father. Additionally, Boo has greater than two dozen shut matches with canines who could possibly be her half-siblings, aunt or uncle, or grandparents.

Most of Boo’s kin who’ve profiles within the Embark database are positioned within the Los Angeles space, however apparently her closest match is listed as having been born in California and adopted in Seattle.

Maybe Boo’s sister was transported from an overcrowded shelter in Los Angeles to a shelter within the Pacific Northwest, a standard route for a lot of canines.

The world of canine household bushes is a comparatively new discipline, however actually a captivating one! Out of your primary breed evaluation to screening for well being circumstances and figuring out your pet’s age, DNA assessments are getting extra superior because the know-how evolves.

If you’re thinking about adopting Boo, we’d be pleased to share her full DNA outcomes with you. To be taught extra, pasadehumane.org/undertake 

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This weblog submit initially appeared as a column within the Pasadena Star-Information on January 12, 2024.