Ok so this is American but I was surprised by the DNA results of the dogs versus my guesses ! I would like to see where the 25% of the IWS in number 9 went !

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/no-you-probably-cant-guess-that-dogs-breed-and-a-new-study-explains-why-it-matters

I don't believe such results to be honest. One website I once checked did not even have all breeds in their database so could not possibly get it right.  If I had the money to blow I'd test my crossbreeds with known parentage just to see if they'd get it right or not!

I just don't believe them quite frankly - the DNA testing companies do not yet have big enough databases of samples to be anywhere near accurate, and their programs will 'skip' a result until they get to the nearest match, which could be a very long way from the reality.

I know someone who knew their dogs cross and sent the dna away, it came back as nothing like it. Theemx is right, they don't have a bid enough dna database. The only way this would work was if every single dog ever born was dna tested, but of course this would never work with the majority of pups born to BYBs, puppy farmers etc. Silken Windhounds have a compelte dna registry so it is possible to prove their parentage, going back as many generations as you want, but you can't do this with any other breed or cross.

I did like some of the response posts!

> I just don't believe them quite frankly - the DNA testing companies do not yet have big enough databases of samples to be anywhere near accurate, and their programs will 'skip' a result until they get to the nearest match

I have a feeling that some of the results could be dependent on colour genes. On another forum someone in Scotland had their dog tested (looks like JRT x Collie, tri-coloured) and it came back with a percentage of Australian Shepherd being in the mix! Aussies were not that common at the time of this dog's birth (10 years ago) and maybe none at all in the UK when its grandparents/greatgrandparents were born, as it's clearly not a first cross with one. Makes me wonder if the test method was developed in the USA as Aussies are far more numerous there - in which case, if they have applied population genetics into the evaluation then it will be fairly useless in other countries. There are many more tri-coloured BCs in Scotland than Aussies, but BC didn't figure at all in the result.

Dogs today mag did it with a known cross and it came back wrong and they also did it with a purebred dog and that came. Back wrong as well. The company said they don't have all breeds so if a breed in the cross isn't in there list they get the nearest breed. And it's not meant for purebred.

Also know of someone online who got a mix from a rescue as a chi x pap, they did one of those tests and it said it was a pap x bull mastiff!

Think those tests should be taken with a pinch of salt really

> And it's not meant for purebred.
> Also know of someone online who got a mix from a rescue as a chi x pap, they did one of those tests and it said it was a pap x bull mastiff!
>

So if it's not meant for purebred, and the crossbred results are ridiculously way off, it's a scam.
Why aren't Trading Standards interested if it's such a dupe?

Just adding on - this is the whole reason why DNA tests to prove or disprove alleged Pit Bulls or PB crosses/Type are not admissible in court. There is no test that can yet identify any breed....

Total waste of money and time. If you know anyone who's thinking of paying out for this test, tell them to donate it to a dog charity instead, where it will do the most good.

Looking at the dogs listed, they do seem to have DNA from some very unusual breeds!  On a sort of related theme, has anyone noticed how people with crossbreds/mongrels seem to see only the breed they want in the "mix"?  I know someone who has recently got what they are referring to as a Sable Border Collie pup, and it is perfectly obvious to everyone who has seen her that she is a Lurcher, with possibly a tiny bit of BC in the mix, but as the owner wanted a BC that is what they see in the pup!