Special new DNA testing can tell if your dog’s a lady or tramp

HOW special is your pavement special? Ever wondered if there is a little pedigree in your pooch? Or is his bloodline pure pavement?

For just under R700 dog owners can now find out‚ thanks to a little doggie CSI.

A DNA test‚ called MuttMix‚ is available in South Africa and it can tell the “tail” of your mutt’s ancestry. All owners need to do is send a swab from the dog’s cheek for analysis and comparison against 100 breeds abroad.

From that swab‚ MuttMix can identify up to eight genetic variants‚ including which breeds are more dominant.

Some experts say the test is just for fun‚ with the value of the medical benefits disputed. But knowing the different breeds that make up your mutt can help explain certain behavioural tics‚ and identify potential hip problems or allergies‚ according to Biped Personal Biotech owner Dominique Tricerry.

She said about 60 South Africans inquired about the tests each month.

She helps conduct 30 to 40 tests each month at a cost of R695.

Tricerry sends the tests in batches overseas every few weeks to an international lab in North America‚ which adds new breeds all the time‚ the latest including Brussels griffon‚ Belgian malinois‚ cairn terrier and Tibetan spaniel.

Tests on mixed breed dogs are very popular in Britain‚ Home DNA Direct customer and sales marketing manager Stephen Ford says.

“It’s interesting but has no medical value.” Ford said the tests were just for fun.

Tricerry said sometimes genetics could help in understanding dogs’ behaviour.

When she tested one of her dogs‚ she discovered it was part Ibizan hound – a breed with a reputation for being escape artists.

She then reinforced her walls to prevent the dog jumping out of the yard.

She said she was giving a service to dog owners, kept the price as low as possible and did not really make money from the business.

“I keep prices so low because I love mixed breeds.”