More and more dogs in the US are undergoing genetic testing to determine what mash-up of breeds they might be, the Economist writes.
Rebecca Chodroff Foran, research director at Wisdom Panel, which offers pet DNA testing, tells the Economist that this increase in pet DNA testing seems to stem from the combination of millions of Americans adopting puppies during the pandemic and the rise of human DNA testing. It adds that while some people who learn their designer dog might not be quite what they thought, others who adopted mixes are glad to know, as some say it could give them insight into what ailments their dogs might be at greater risk of developing.
Some dogs, like people who take such tests, can also be connected to relatives, the Economist says, noting that about 12 percent of dogs that undergo testing through Embark Veterinary's service match with a relative.