The DNA Results Were Not What I Was Expecting

Wednesday, October 14, 2015
The results from my dog's DNA test are in!

This photo is a result of a different kind of test Benny took.

To read about the test visit http://madelinebarr.blogspot.ca/2015/08/my-dog-benny-is-getting-his-dna-tested.html

We suspected that he was a Labrador/ Border Collie cross and speculated that he might have some Boxer in him.

To our surprise, he doesn't have any Labrador or Border Collie.

He does have Boxer.

According to http://dnamydog.com/ , Benny is:
  • 37-74% Boxer
  • 20-36% German Shepherd
  • 10-19% Rat Terrier
Boxer (37-74%)



German Shepherd (20-36%)
Rat Terrier (10-19%)
With a little math, we can determine he is actually about 45-70% Boxer.

If he was the minimum percentage of the secondary breeds then he could be up to 70% Boxer
(100% - 20% - 10% = 70%)

If he was the maximum percentage of the secondary breeds then he could only be a low as 45% Boxer. (100% - 36% - 19% = 45%)

The one thing I know for sure is Benny is 100% lovable!
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What do you think?
Do you think it's accurate? What would have been your guess?
Have you ever had a DNA test on your dog? What were the results?
Is there anything else you would like to know? Comment below!



My Dog Benny is Getting his DNA Tested!

Thursday, August 6, 2015
This is my dog, Benny. He's a rescue.
If I had to choose one word to describe him, it would be fabulous!
I know that he's loving, smart and generally a good dog.

What I don't about him is his breeds. I've taken a pretty good guess but I wanted to have a better idea. So, I decided to get his DNA tested.

After some research and review, I decided to order a testing kit from DNA My Dog - http://www.dnamydog.ca/

The kit arrived relatively quickly. I ordered it Tuesday night with standard shipping and received it on Thursday. Part of the reason I received it so quickly is because I live an hour away, but it also means the company was able to ship it out Wednesday morning. That's quick service!

In the kit I received:
  • A congratulations letter with easy-to-follow instructions.
  • A set of two sterile polyester tipped applicators (swabs with long sticks).
  • A specimen envelope.
  • A prepaid return envelope.
  • A card to write down my customer ID number
Of course, I did the test Thursday night so I could mail it out Friday morning.

Before I began, I copied my customer ID number from the form/letter to the card.
The test was much easier to perform than I thought is was going to be. Benny couldn't eat or drink (except water) or be around other dogs or other dog toys for an hour before the test, as it could impact the results. That was easy enough since we didn't have another dog. Then, without me touching the tip, I was to swab the inside of his cheek for 20 seconds! I thought this was going to be a problem but it wasn't too bad. Benny just gave me that what-the-heck-are-you-doing look and pulled back a little. I was able to get the two swabs done without any help.  In the event your dog does destroys the swabs, which I imagine happens quite often, the company will replace them.

The swabs were placed in the open specimen envelope to dry for 25 minutes before sealing it. The specimen envelope and the form/letter were places in the return enveloped, sealed and mailed the next morning. The form/letter had my customer ID, a checklist of things to include and asked me what I thought were Benny's breeds.

I also emailed the company a picture of Benny, as suggested by them, for the certificate.

I'm so anxious for the results I've been checking everyday and sometimes several times a day. If the company is recording how many times I use my ID I'm pretty sure they would think I am crazy.

Results will be available online within two weeks after processing begins. They must have received the samples on Monday because the processing began on Tuesday. So far, a very prompt company. About a week later I will receive a certificate and breed information in the mail.

Now the waiting game.

So what breeds do you think Benny is?

Fan Favourite Winner- TURN IT ON - JUNO 2015 HAMILTON ANTHEM

Thursday, March 5, 2015


Congratulations to 110 Studios for winning the Fan Favourite contest for their version of the  JUNO 2015 theme song. Read Kristin Lee B's full article about their win at http://ihearthamilton.ca/110-studios/

Below is the very cool lyric video of their song.

Freedom to Read Week Quiz

Wednesday, February 25, 2015
As part for Freedom to Read Week, I am posting the Which Challenged (Canadian) Book Should You Read? quiz created by McMaster University Library.

My result was, A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence. Read how this book was challenged at http://www.freedomtoread.ca/challenged-works/a-jest-of-god/

Take the quiz and let me know in the comments which Canadian book you should read.