Top 5 Wacky Wisdom Panel Mixed Dog Breeds

Have you ever wondered just what makes your mixed-breed dog so unique, or what breeds makeup your one-of-a kind mutt? Does she have special health or training needs because of her genetic make-up? It’s not like there’s a product that can put together a “Dog Family Tree” for your pooch… is there? We’re ecstatic to say that there is! Wisdom Panel is the industry leader in canine genetic testing and they have launched the next evolution of the canine DNA test, Wisdom Panel® 3.0. This new test gives you access to reliable breed ancestry information that can be extremely helpful when planning for the nutritional needs, training considerations, and overall healthcare of your dog. Not only does this advanced DNA test expand on breed screening coverage (250+ breeds, types and varieties), but it now includes the potentially life-saving MDR1 Genetic Mutation screening.

There are millions of mixed-breed dog owners in North America, so there’s a good chance you’re the pet parent to one of these unique mixed-breed dogs. Since Wisdom Panel is launching the next evolution of the canine DNA test, that got us to thinking: Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could take some of these dog breeds and mix them up into unexpected pairings? So that’s just what we did—and we’re excited to share these Top 5 Wacky Wisdom Panel Mixed Dog Breeds with you!

Brussels Sprout Griffon: That cute head on a detestable vegetable makes it almost palatable! This brings us to what you should do to provide the best nutritional care for your pooch. Let’s say that you’ve adopted a new family member from your local shelter and you can’t wait to spend many happy years frolicking in the yard, chasing squirrels and curling up on the couch together. But what does it really take to get to know your rescue dog? Unfortunately, most dogs that end up at the Unfortunately, most dogs that end up at the shelter don’t come with background information. That’s where the Wisdom Panel 3.0 comes in to fill in the blanks. You’ll be better able to tailor nutrition, training and overall healthcare for your furry BFF. By understanding the breeds that make up your dog, you’ll be able to provide targeted care and lifesaving information to your vet.

Heinz 57: Who’s your great-granddaddy? When you’ve got a “Heinz 57” (a playful slang term used for dogs of uncertain ancestry), guessing on looks alone is a shot in the dark. But with a Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine Genetic Test you can find out your dog’s breed ancestry back to the great-grandparent level. The test screens for more than 250 breeds, types, and varieties which can help when you’re thinking about putting together a training program, or you want to keep an eye out for breed-related health issues.

Scottish Deerhound: Och! If ye dinnae ken what breeds are in your dog, how will you know what health issues to watch out for? For example, have you ever heard of MDR1 or Multi-Drug Resistance 1? Yep, this one caught us off-guard, too. MDR1 is a genetic mutation found in some herding and sighthound breeds as well as many mixed-breed dogs. The MDR1 gene is responsible for production of a protein called P-glycoprotein. The P-glycoprotein molecule is a drug transport pump that plays an important role in limiting drug absorption and distribution (particularly to the brain) and enhancing the elimination of many drugs used to treat illness in dogs. If your dog has the MDR1-mutation, this may cause adverse reactions to some common drugs. That’s why it’s vital to test mixed-breeds (and purebreds with the high-propensity breeds). And guess what? Wisdom Panel 3.0 screens for the MDR1 genetic mutation. When you’re armed with the test results, you and your veterinarian can tag-team your efforts to make sure your dog receives the best possible care. Learn more about MDR1 at Wisdom Panel.

Norwegian Lundehund: Here’s a breed you’ve probably never heard before. It’s the Norwegian Lundehund, which is Swedish for “Puffin Dog.” In the 1500s, this breed was used to hunt Puffins for their meat, eggs and feathers. To get to the birds, the Norwegian Lundehund had to be agile in order to scale and tunnel into the crevices of steep vertical cliffs – that’s why they have six toes (Polydactyl) and their head can tip backwards. Do you think that your dog has some Norwegian Lundehund in him? Proof is just a swab away. You can do the test at home – the Wisdom Panel 3.0 comes with two swabs that you rub between your dog’s gum and the cheek for 15 seconds (that’s the best place to collect skin cells for DNA extraction). Send it back to Wisdom Panel in its pre-paid box, and in two to three weeks, you’ll have your answer!

Cock-A-Doodle-Poo: Perfect for early risers, the Cock-A-Doodle-Poo will wake you up with a loud rooster call. But beware: once you leave your toasty bed, this dog breed will make himself comfortable under the covers and go for a snooze. Other than the 5AM crowing, how will Wisdom Panel know what breeds go into your Cock-A-Doodle-Poo? The swabs that you send undergo a special process that extracts the DNA from your dog’s cells and examines them for 321 markers to determine your dog’s breed results. A one-of-a-kind algorithm is used to “root out” all of the possible family “trees” for your dog’s unique genetics and landing on a final one after more than seven million calculations! This is no ordinary tree to pee on. Your dog’s family tree can be as simple as a single breed pedigree (a pure-bred dog) all the way up to a complex tree with eight different great-grandparent breeds. With more than 10,000 samples to compare the results to, Wisdom Panel 3.0’s algorithm will be able to map out what breeds went into the making of your unique dog.

Do you think that you’re sharing your home with one of these breeds… or better yet, a rare and exotic mix that’s unique only to her? Find out what cool hybrid your truly individual dog is. Not just for the bragging rights to a one-of-a-kind pup, but more importantly, so you can be a better pet parent by providing the best possible medical, behavioral and nutritional care that your dog deserves. Understanding the breeds in your mixed-breed dog gives you:

• The ability to develop a training program that works with your dog’s natural instincts (breeds) and gives you a better understanding of her behavior characteristics.
• The tools to develop a nutritional plan for breed-specific needs and/or achieving/maintaining healthy weight.
• Assistance in determining what the adult size of your dog might (or should) be.
• A deeper understanding of the breeds found in your dog’s background, in order to look out for any breed-specific health concerns or common issues.
• Screening results for the MDR1 genetic mutation to share with your vet.

For more information or to purchase a Wisdom Panel test ($84.99 USD), visit them online at www.wisdompanel.com.