Long gone are the days when you had to wonder what breeds made up your rescue pup. With dozens of breed DNA test options available, it is easier than ever to know your dog. And now, with advancements in DNA research, you can even learn about the genes that affect your dog’s health and appearance.

One of the most popular DNA test options for getting to know your dog on this deeper level is Ancestry’s Know Your Pet DNA. This easy-to-use option provides insights into your dog’s breed, health traits, physical characteristics, behavioral tendencies, and doggy relatives.

I had a chance to test this DNA kit on my rescue Chihuahua, who was picked up as a stray when he was a year old. Find out what mysteries were unlocked about my dog and if this DNA test kit is a good option for your furry friend in my full Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry review.

Overview

Our Experience

I had the opportunity to review Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry last year when I used their Health kit on my mixed-breed rescue dog, Ragz. It was a lot of fun to finally find out what breeds she was. But the experience did leave me wondering if this test would be as useful on a purebred dog (or supposedly purebred dog).

Recently, I had the opportunity to find out when I ordered another test for my Chihuahua, Papyrus.

Papyrus is also a rescue. He came to me via a last-chance rescue after being picked up by animal control as an intact, one-year-old stray.

He certainly looks like a Chihuahua, though his tan and brindle coat is very unique, so I always thought there was a chance a couple of other small breeds could be mixed in. I was also very interested in finding out more about his behavior traits. He is an anxious dog—even more so than most Chihuahuas—and I’ve always wondered if this was because of his experiences early in life or just the genetic card he was dealt.

With these questions in mind, I registered Papyrus’ test, swabbed his cheek, and sent his DNA off for testing.

It took about four days for the lab to receive my kit, and another 17 days before I received the results.

The breed results were a little surprising—turns out this little guy is 100% Chihuahua! But far more interesting to me were the behavior trait results. Papyrus is genetically predisposed to basically every anxious, fearful, and aggressive tendency that can be mapped through DNA.

He rated high for fear of grooming, vets, and loud noises. He also snaps easily, doesn’t share, reacts aggressively to strangers, and is prone to separation anxiety and social anxiety.

Now, genes aren’t the only thing that determines behavior, as Ancestry is quick to point out. But in Papyrus’ case, almost all of these were accurate.

At 16 years old, this information doesn’t do much for us other than maybe vindicate Papyrus for a lot of his difficult behavior—he really can’t help it! But I can see how understanding a dog’s behavioral tendencies could be incredibly valuable for new puppy owners. Had Papyrus’ original owners known how prone he was to being fearful and anxious, they could have taken steps to help him relate more positively to his environment.

The other thing I found really valuable about the test was the health marker feature. Papyrus has three recessive genes for eye-related disorders that lead to blindness. While none of these diseases have been studied in Chihuahuas, knowing he has these issues does shed some light on why his vision has been going downhill so quickly these last few months.

In general, I found this test to be super easy to use (if you can cheek-swab an anxious, snappy Chihuahua, you can cheek-swab any dog!). I also found the results to be fairly intuitive to read and I am a fan of the Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry dashboard.

Overall, I would recommend this test to purebred and mixed dog owners alike. Not only can it confirm your dog’s lineage, but it has the potential to shed some much-needed light on your dog’s behavioral tendencies and potential future health issues.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

Easy to Use

The Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry test is easy to use and can be completed at home in just a few minutes.

First, be sure to use the card included in your kit to register it. The account you create during this step is where your results will be once the lab has processed the DNA.

To get the DNA, you’ll need to swab the inside of your dog’s cheek for about 30 seconds. After you finish, you’ll store the swab in a tube with preservative liquid so the DNA makes it intact to the lab.

This swab is brilliantly designed with the swab sticking out of the tube with the liquid. So, after you’re done swabbing, all you need to do is flip the swab around and screw it into the tube.

From there, you’ll stick the tube in the included ziplock baggy and then put that into the prepaid shipping box. Seal the box, put it into the nearest USPS dropbox, and wait.

My kit was received by the lab about four days after I put it in the mail. About five days later, I received an email informing me that the scientists had started processing the sample. From there, it took another twelve days before I received results.

Determines Breed and Relatives

Most dog DNA tests will help you determine your dog’s breed, and Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry is no exception. They use reference DNA from over 400 dog breeds, including wolf, coyote, and village dogs, to find out exactly what went into making your dog.

Each breed identified in your dog’s DNA is broken down into a percentage so you can see which ones are more dominant in their genes.

In addition to testing for breeds, Ancestry also reports DNA matches for your dog in the same way their human DNA kits help people find relatives. Your dog’s dashboard will show other dogs who have taken the test and happen to share DNA with yours. The amount of DNA shared is reported as well as the breed of that dog and, if the owner uploaded it, a picture of them.

Interestingly, the Papyrus’ closest matches in terms of DNA percentage are two Patagonian Sheepdog/Pitbull mixes. I don’t know how this works, but it is very interesting! All the other dogs currently listed in his matches are Chihuahuas.

The database of DNA matches is always being updated. So, as new dogs test, your dog will find new relatives.

Identifies Health, Behavior, and Physical Markers

In addition to breed markers, Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry also looks at trait markers.

Their standard test includes physical and behavioral traits, while their more expensive test also includes health markers.

Physical trait markers can tell you more about the genes that make your dog look how they look. For adult dogs, this can be an interesting exercise, but one that isn’t likely to have many surprises. For example, Papyrus’ genes say that he likely has a tan coat, erect ears, and short fur, but none of the trait markers explain his brindle coat.

While adult dogs already show all the physical traits they are likely to express, puppies are much more apt to surprise. Physical trait testing can help you predict what your dog will look like once they shed their puppy fur and grow into their adult body.

Much like physical traits, behavioral traits can help you understand how your dog might act so you can prepare and train accordingly. Most of these traits present on a sliding scale. For example, your dog’s genes can help determine whether your dog will be laid back, terrified, or somewhere in between when in social situations.

Lastly, the health aspect of the test analyzes 201 markers for known health issues. Any markers found will be reported as “notable” or “increased risk.”

Notable markers typically mean your dog only carries one copy of the gene and may not express the condition, but their offspring may inherit the issue. Increased risk markers usually mean your dog has two copies of the gene or that the disease only requires one copy to present signs.

Knowing your dog’s predisposition to different diseases or their potential to pass diseases on is incredibly valuable. By discussing these results with your vet, you may be able to apply preventative measures to help protect your dog or intervene earlier to help them lead a happier, healthier life.

About Ancestry

Is Ancestry a Good Value?

Both of Ancestry’s pet DNA kit offerings are priced about on par with competitors. But what you get with this company that you don’t get with other options is the DNA match feature which allows you to find your dog’s relatives. Ancestry also has one of the better dashboards available, making it a great value in an increasingly competitive market.

How We Tested

I tested this product by using it the same way any customer would.

Upon receiving the kit, I followed the directions to register it and administer the cheek swab. I then mailed it back to the company and tracked how long it took to hit each milestone and receive my final results.

I also spent significant time exploring the results dashboard, all the features, and the associated articles to gauge useability, clarity of results, and how intuitive the interface is.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long until I receive my results?

According to the website, it can take between two and eight weeks to get your results. The first time I used this test, it took about 13 days from when I mailed it to receive my results. This time it took 21 days.

Can I test my puppy?

Yes, you can use this test on dogs of all ages. Currently, the test is only available for canines.

Will my results be updated over time?

Yes, Ancestry is constantly updating their reference databases, which means your results may shift slightly over time. Additionally, the DNA matches are frequently updated as more dogs take the test.

What happens if I get a failed result?

Failed results (when the DNA was not able to be tested) usually occur due to not enough DNA on the swab or a quality control issue, according to the Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry website. If this happens, you will receive a free kit to retest with.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in getting to know your dog better, Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry can help.

This DNA test compares your dog’s genes with over 400 breeds, looks at over 200 health markers, and identifies dozens of physical and behavioral traits to help you understand your pup from the inside out. Best of all, it is easy to use, a great value, and produces results relatively quickly.

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