Pets

cbabe

(3,545 posts) Thu Mar 21, 2024, 08:35 PM Mar 21

Pet DNA testing company in doghouse after identifying human as canine

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/13/dog-human-dna-test

Pet DNA testing company in doghouse after identifying human as canine

DNA My Dog received human genetic sample and identified it as a malamute, shar-pei and labrador, according to news station

Maya Yang
Wed 13 Mar 2024 14.59 EDT

A pet company has twice sent back dog breed results for human swab samples, prompting doubts surrounding the accuracy of dog breed tests.

On Wednesday, WBZ News reported its investigations team receiving dog breed results from the company DNA My Dog after one of its reporters sent in a swab sample – from her own cheek.

According to the results from the Toronto-based company, WBZ News reporter Christina Hager is 40% Alaskan malamute, 35% shar-pei and 25% labrador.

…more…

11 replies

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Highlight:

Pet DNA testing company in doghouse after identifying human as canine (Original Post) cbabe Mar 21 OP

No offense, but I'd like to see a picture of the reporter. Beakybird Mar 21 #1

Of course we do not recommend body shaming, right? marble falls Mar 21 #2

I'm sorry, but if I was told that I had dog DNA, I would take it at face value. Beakybird Mar 21 #3

I'm sure your tail is magnificent. Duncanpup Mar 21 #7

Count me unsurprised. Do the DNA test for fun, if you wish, but don't expect it to be accurate hlthe2b Mar 21 #4

u get what u pay for. mopinko Mar 21 #5

And he is 100% good boy. Duncanpup Mar 21 #6

98 mopinko Mar 21 #8

I used Embark. Scout is Pit Bull/German Shepherd/ Polly Hennessey Mar 22 #9

i did my other dog, even tho he had papers, just for fun. mopinko Mar 22 #10

So it is official? Aussie105 Mar 27 #11

Beakybird

(3,333 posts)

1. No offense, but I'd like to see a picture of the reporter.

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 08:38 PM

Mar 21

marble falls

(57,097 posts)

2. Of course we do not recommend body shaming, right?

Reply to Beakybird (Reply #1)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 08:41 PM

Mar 21

Beakybird

(3,333 posts)

3. I'm sorry, but if I was told that I had dog DNA, I would take it at face value.

Reply to marble falls (Reply #2)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 08:57 PM

Mar 21

Even though my tail looks more cat like.

Duncanpup

(12,858 posts)

7. I'm sure your tail is magnificent.

Reply to Beakybird (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:54 PM

Mar 21

hlthe2b

(102,284 posts)

4. Count me unsurprised. Do the DNA test for fun, if you wish, but don't expect it to be accurate

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 09:13 PM

Mar 21

Even if they try to be ethical, the difference in the number of validated samples by breed is minuscule compared to the comparison DNA samples for humans. So when the obvious Newfoundland mix is identified as some exotic subvariant of chihuahua? Well, I'd believe one's "lying eyes." LOL

mopinko

(70,113 posts)

5. u get what u pay for.

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 09:18 PM

Mar 21

i had my mutt done. i looked at the reviews, and the cheap 1s r just rip offs. there was 1 that made u send a pic, so they just guessed based on the pics. clever wags sent a sample from their pedigreed poodle, but a pic of a mutt.
but it’s also garbage in- garbage out. they have tiny databases.

i used embark, which uses the cornell data base. it’s the most comprehensive in the world.
he wasnt a wheaton terrier x, like the shelter said, but i knew that when he hit 70lbs. he’s 110 now.
everyone guesses he’s a lab, but he’s half great pyrenesse. the only 1 who guessed that when he was a puppy was my vet’s office manager.

Duncanpup

(12,858 posts)

6. And he is 100% good boy.

Reply to mopinko (Reply #5)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 10:53 PM

Mar 21

mopinko

(70,113 posts)

8. 98

Reply to Duncanpup (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 21, 2024, 11:08 PM

Mar 21

Polly Hennessey

(6,798 posts)

9. I used Embark. Scout is Pit Bull/German Shepherd/

Reply to mopinko (Reply #5)

Fri Mar 22, 2024, 10:05 AM

Mar 22

White Swiss Shepherd. We were told she was Yellow Lab and German Shepherd. Only one person ever guessed she had Pit Bull. We were in the Vet’s waiting room and a lady said your dog 🐕 is Pit Bull mix. Shocked me because Scout has a long snout and German Shepherd ears and is honey-colored.

mopinko

(70,113 posts)

10. i did my other dog, even tho he had papers, just for fun.

Reply to Polly Hennessey (Reply #9)

Fri Mar 22, 2024, 10:58 AM

Mar 22

learned something i didnt know. biff is a victorian bulldogge. 1 of a few breeds trying to fix the english bulldog. they add back genetically close breeds. a lot of ppl used dog d’ bordeaux. turns out mine were boxer, which is what i’d have if there was any hope of getting a good one.

the guy who started the line had the most amazing dogs ever. had a web site w a gallery of 10 dogs, exactly identical except for coloring. all bloody perfect. 120lbs. he mixed the best english he cd find w german bred boxers. i had not known that. later confirmed by the breeder i got the pup from. i always joked about biff being a short legged boxer. and his half brother wd absolutely pass for a boxer w docked ears.
i have biff’s ggrand niece now. she’s only 60 lbs, and i swear i cd pass her off as a boxer. i’ve seen some tiny 1s out there.

Aussie105

(5,401 posts)

11. So it is official?

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2024, 06:29 PM

Mar 27

Some people are dogs?

Sorry Christine, couldn't resist - your pic looks quite human. So someone goofed up badly!

https://factpiles.com/christina-hager/

Maybe just a mix-up of samples or reporting. Or someone just makes stuff up.

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