We Can’t Believe the Results of Our Puppy’s DNA Test!

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If you’ve been following our journey, you know that we’ve been waiting to get the test results from our rescue puppy’s DNA kit. We are excited to share that the results are in and we are completely surprised by them, as many of our readers told us we would be! When we posted last month, asking what you thought Elle was mixed with, we got a lot of very interesting guesses. For us, learning her breeds was more than just for fun. We want to make sure that Elle has the best life and that we are providing her exactly what she needs.

Did you know that different breeds are designed to do different things? While most dogs make great companions, they were designed for things like working, herding, hunting, etc. Because of this, different breeds need different amounts of exercise and are even susceptible to different health issues. When we found out that Chewy sold the Wisdom Panel DNA kit, we knew we had to get it! How could we give Elle her best life if we didn’t even know what breeds she is and what she needs?

Why Chewy?

When we brought her home, one of the first things we did was visitChewy.comto get her essentials. I had heard so many great things about them, from their fun company culture to their unparalleled customer service. Chewy is a group of passionate pet lovers who care as much about your pets as they do their own. They’re dedicated to helping pets everywhere live their best lives by making shopping for pet supplies easy and stress-free. Chewy offers just about anything you need for your pet. Over 1,000 brands, in fact! They offer expert pet advice 24/7 and free shipping on orders over $49. I remember the first order we placed arrived less than 48 hours later. I was shocked! Even more so, I love how involved they are on social media. Tag them in a post and they always have a witty reply! I love that.

More About the DNA Test Kit

We chose the Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification Dog DNA Test Kit. The kit makes the process so easy. You just swab your dog’s cheek, mail it back to the lab and in 2-3 weeks you are emailed an extensive online report that traces back to the great-grandparent level. They test over 250 breeds and the results include a predicted weight profile as well as results for the MDR1 genetic mutation that may cause severe adverse reactions to commonly prescribed drugs. Imagine all of the issues that can be avoided, just by having this information!

Chewy shipped out the DNA Test Kit very quickly and the process was so easy. It took just minutes of our time and the results were beyond our expectations. Turns out, while we’ve been calling Elle a “Shar-Pei mix”, she’s actually only 12.5% Shar-Pei! We were convinced that she had some sort of Labrador Retriever in there and were shocked to find out that she doesn’t.

About Elle’s Breeds

One of my favorite parts of the report was the family tree. Isn’t science incredible? They can basically tell us what Elle’s parents were mixed with. They also provide a detailed trait summary for each of the breeds on your list, so that you can learn a little more about your dog that you might not have known.

Chow Chow:
Originally bred as a guard dog. They benefit from firm training. Known to be loyal family dogs, are reserved and wary with strangers, have an independent spirit but respond to reward-based obedience training.

American Staffordshire Terrier:
Originally bred as a guard dog. Known to be intelligent, hard-working and stoic dogs. They are very loyal to family and are usually good with children but may not get along well with other dogs. American Staffordshire Terriers enjoy dog sports and competitive obedience.

Chinese Shar-Pei:
Originally bred as a guard dog. Known to be intelligent, independent and alert with a reputation of being loyal to the family. Responds well to a reward-based training involving treats or favorite toys. They are moderately active dogs.

Miniature Schnauzer:
Known to be intelligent, active and alert dogs. They are excellent watch dogs, are quick learners and enjoy dog sports and enjoy chasing and barking at wildlife and can be tenacious or difficult to disengage from an activity that has their attention. Miniature Schnauzers tend to be suspicious of strangers and may require careful socialization to prevent or reduce defensive aggressive tendencies.

Siberian Husky:
Known to be active, social and usually friendly dogs with stubborn tendencies. They often do well with children and other dogs, are energetic dogs who participate in dog sports. and may engage in digging and might chase wildlife.

How Chewy Helps Us Prepare for Spring

So what does this mean? First of all, based on this information, we definitely need to invest in some more toys, balls and treats from Chewy! I’ll be setting up that Autoshiporder very shortly, so we can make sure that the packages are delivered every month.  How convenient is that?! Especially for a busy Mom like me who forgets to feed myself sometimes.I also finally understand why Elle is happiest when she is outside running around our property. She’s always chasing birds and butterflies and trying her best to scare away every car and person that come down our street (which is adorable, considering her small size). As for food, we’ve been on the right track, feeding her a diet of natural whole foods along with lean protein meats as the primary component to help maintain her energy and optimal health. And while we love the brand she’s currently eating, should we decide to change her diet, Chewy offers so many options that fit perfectly with her dietary needs.

We’ll be planning more trips to the dog park, allowing Elle to run free and socialize with other dogs and taking more walks. While she needs, and loves the exercise, it won’t hurt for her humans to get a little daily exercise as well!

Have you been thinking about getting a DNA kit for your dog? Now is a great time to visit Chewy.com and get one. While you’re there, make sure to stock up on all your pet needs and enjoy 30% off on your first Autoship Order!

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