[Spencer]

One of the saddest things to me with my rescue dogs (technically all of them are, pure bred or not!) is that I don't know their family history (with exception of TheGrey, seeing as I can look him up by his ear tats on a national database). This gets around to poodles, I promise!

TheQueen and ProblemChild are obvious mutts, which stinks not knowing their parents and so on... TheFiance understands my frustration and any time we see one of the advertisements for DNA testing on dogs, it is pointed out to me excitedly. (it would be nice to know everything they are, but that doesn't really help along the lines of genetic problems, etc.)

Perry is another example of my frustrations. After we decided to keep him, I started doing my research and lurking around the forum (lol)... and found out about what poodles - toy especially - are genetically predisposed to. The vet says he doesn't have a luxating patella, however that doesn't tell me about everything else. Could I have him tested for all the other things? And about how much would it be?

Having had greyhounds spoiled me, too... I love being able to trace their lineage, and it kills me that I can't with Perry - since he is (we think) full poodle.

 

[Spencer]

Sort of off topic (and not pertinent to your final question), but you brought it up!! I had our mix, Hannah-banana DNA tested with the MARS Wisdom Panel and now, when people see her and ask me, "What breed is she?" instead of saying she's a Canardly, I can say she's Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, Great Pyrenees, Labrador, Miniature Poodle and Viszla!!! You should see their jaws drop!!

I agree that it really didn't help me with any genetic issues, but at 10 years old, Hannah is as healthy as they come, so I'm not worried about genetics with her anymore... And it was fun to find out the definite breeds that make up a one-of-a-kind dog!

I had found one of the DNA kits and was positive I was going to buy it, however upon further inspection, I found they they were not yet able to recognize jack russells, or parsons... which is what we're 98% certain is one of the things she is. TheQueen is my baby, so any and all information I can gather on her to make her live FOREVA!!! is what I want. lol. She was the first dog I had by myself (got her from the animal shelter using my then roommates info, as she was 21 and I was 19)... so she is really important to me (not that my other doggies aren't!).