What breed is my dog? DNA test for pets aims to reveal genetic secrets – animal experts in Hong Kong weigh in on the pros and cons

Sootie is a mixed-breed rescue puppy that I adopted when she was merely eight weeks old. Over the past two years, she has grown into a robust girl. Despite being born in a kennel and presumed to be part terrier, there are certain characteristics of hers that are puzzling. For instance, Sootie’s hair can grow exceptionally long, and she has an underbite that lends her a charmingly goofy expression. She exhibits a high level of excitement yet is territorial, and she has an unusual sneeze.

When the biotechnology firm Prenetics launched CirclePaw, a DNA test for cats and dogs, I was intrigued to discover more about Sootie's origins. The procedure was straightforward; the app provided detailed instructions on how to swab, store, and organise the delivery of samples. The process was seamless, and I received my in-app results within a few weeks. The results were startling: Sootie was not part terrier at all.

Catherine Lumsden, the founder of Catherine’s Puppies, a dog shelter in Sai Kung, Hong Kong’s New Territories, shared that she often receives such results from adopters. One such result was for a puppy that was a mix of six different breeds. The DNA test revealed that she was 55 per cent poodle, 19 per cent Thai ridgeback, and five per cent Tibetan mastiff. However, she’s a small little thing, with no visible signs of the mastiff lineage. The ability to identify a rescue dog’s breed can be both beneficial and detrimental. For prospective adopters, knowing the mix of breeds can provide insights into potential health issues the dog might face. However, this does not guarantee that a dog with a certain breed's DNA will develop the health issues associated with that breed.