Nemo looked like a little Labrador cross as a puppy. A former service dog in training, his heritage didn't really matter - any breed (or mix) can make a good service dog. As he grew, it was apparent that he was more than just a Lab-X. Some people saw Great Dane, others saw some sort of Hound. No one could tell for certain what mix of breeds contributed to his handsome good looks. Until, that is, Kingsbrook Animal Hospital began offering the Wisdom Panel, a DNA heritage test. Just one quick blood draw was all it took to reveal they mystery of Nemo's lineage.
Turns out he's a mix of mixes! The breeds of his parents couldn't be determined - there were too many dogs in the mix. It's likely that his parents themselves were mixed breeds. The Wisdom Panel did, however give us come clues to Nemo's distant ancestors. The panel identified Golden Retriever and Dalmation, as well as Newfoundland and Boxer in Nemo's distant past. Nemo's got the friendly nature of the Golden, but doesn't look a thing like one! I can't see the Boxer in him either, but he does like to use his paws during play time - just like the typical Boxer. Perhaps he looks more like a Newfoundland, minus the shaggy, dense coat. He's got lots of loose skin around his neck like a Newfie. He's got very short hair, like a Dalmation (but no spots.) Perhaps he's also got another breed in him - one of the few that the Wisdom Panel can't yet detect.
To find out more about the Wisdom Panel, click here. Or better yet, join us on May 5th at 7:00pm at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital for our "What Your Pet Wants You To Know" series, where the topic will be "Mixed Breeds, Mutts and Heinz 57s: DNA Testing for Fun and Health." Anyone who attends will receive a gift certificate good for $20 off the Wisdom Panel Testing at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital. Details can be found by clicking here.
