wisdom panel dna test

I have always wanted to try one of the DNA tests on my various mutts and mixed breeds. So a few weeks ago, I finally got around to it and ordered a test kit for Oliver - my slightly nutty but super sweet guy.

I chose to go with Wisdom Panel... and I've been very pleased with the entire process. They have the most breeds available out of all the DNA kits out there right now - over 185 to be exact. The kit had super simple instructions, arrived quickly and was easy to use. And once I sent it off, I received an email in just a few days to let me know they had received the samples. In less than three weeks, I received another email to let me know they had completed the processing, and Oliver's breed report was available online via PDF... yay!

Ollie is obviously a very unique and exotic looking dog, and for obvious reasons, I had always assumed he was mostly Dalmation (ahem, white with black spots? deaf with blue eyes? all classic Dalmation) with maybe a little terrier or something else thrown in to give him his giant ears. So you can imagine my surprise when I got this (click to enlarge):

Not a bit of Dalmation anywhere! And after I looked at the report, I was like "Duh... of course he's Husky and Australian Cattle Dog" but I had been so hung up on Dalmation his entire life that I'd never considered other possibilities. He's shaped exactly like a Cattle Dog, and has the blue eyes of a Husky.

This was SUCH a fun experience, so if you have a mixed breed pup and you want to know what you've got on your hands, I definitely recommend the Wisdom Panel test. You'll see your dog in a whole new way! One disclaimer... if you have a true Heinz 57... one who's grandparents and great-grandparents were also mutts, none of the DNA tests out there will be able to tell you very much unfortunately. Because there's so little purebred DNA to work with, it's hard for them to be certain about it. I'm about to test my Mona Mae, and I expect that I might have this problem with her, but I'll keep y'all posted on the outcome.

Wisdom Panel is having a special right now on their breed test, and you can purchase it online for only $69.99 plus I found a coupon code that should work for another $10 off! Just enter INSIGHTS10 during checkout (make sure you use ALL CAPS or it won't work).

my four-legged valentines

They're a pretty good looking crew if I do say so myself...

let's talk...

I realize I've let you guys down lately. I promised to be more diligent about blogging on a regular basis, and well... I've definitely dropped the ball on that one. Life just took over and somehow on my daily list of things to do, the blog got pushed to the bottom.

So now I shall attempt to prove to you that I am a changed woman, and I will attempt to reclaim my place in blogger-land by posting a lot more regularly.

One good piece of news that I have to share is that the precious nugget you see above is now living in her new forever home. Matilda was with me for almost a year and a half as a foster, so it wasn't easy parting with her, but it was what was best for her and the rest of my family of four-legged kids. She is the sweetest, snuggliest and most precious girl, but my Penny Sue hated her... with a vengeance... so she had to move on. She's with a great new family, and it's a wonderful situation for me because I will get to see her from time to time.

Because of Matilda's departure, I'm down to just my four dogs for the first time in a LONG time. I realize that four dogs might seem like a lot to many folks out there, but to me it feels downright calm and quiet! I kind of don't know what to do with myself. Well, that's not entirely true. Because it's chicken time people. That's right. I'm in the process of planning out my Palais de Poulet, and I hope to have my new coop built in the spring. Hopefully I'll have some feathered ladies moving in soon after, and I'll share them with you once they're settled.

So that's what's new with me... Oh, and there are fun new St. Patrick's Day collars in the shop so check 'em out!