The moment of truth has arrived. You receive that long-awaited notification in your inbox: "Your DNA test results are ready!". With excitement (and a little bit of nerves), you open the file and suddenly find yourself met with a sea of charts, percentages, and scientific terms like "markers," "variants," or "genotype."
Interpreting the results of your dog DNA test may seem complex at first, but we are here to demystify your report. DNA is not a definitive "sentence" nor a crystal ball; it is a fascinating map of probabilities and ancestors that will help you understand, like never before, the uniqueness of your best friend.
Breaking down the report: What are you actually looking at?
To correctly read your dog's DNA report, the ideal approach is to go step by step through its three main sections:
1. Breed analysis
This is most owners' favorite part. Here, Koko Genetics translates thousands of genetic markers into a visual composition of breeds.
- How does it work? We compare your dog's profile with our immense database of pure breeds to find the most accurate matches.
- "Multi-breed": Sometimes, instead of a specific breed, you will see a percentage assigned to a "group" (such as herding dogs, hounds, or terriers).
The reason? Its DNA contains enough clues to relate it to that group, but not the ones necessary to securely identify a specific breed.
2. Health markers
This section is vital for preventive medicine. We analyze genetic mutations associated with genetic diseases and classify them in a simple way:
- 🟢 Clear: Your dog does not carry the genetic variant. It will not develop the disease nor pass it on to its puppies.
- 🟡 Carrier: It has one copy of the mutated variant, but the disease is recessive, so it will not manifest it. (This is only relevant if you plan to breed it).
- 🔴 At risk: It has the necessary copies to be able to develop the condition.
Expert tip: If you see an "At risk" marker, don't panic. It means predisposition, not an absolute diagnosis. The most important thing is to share this section with your veterinarian to establish a prevention plan.
3. Physical traits
Why does your dog have curly hair, a short tail, or that particular spot pattern? The report reads the genes for coat length and texture, ear position, and expected height, explaining the exact science behind its adorable appearance.
Why do results sometimes surprise you?
Inheritance is not an exact copy. Just like humans, dogs inherit a random mix (genetic recombination) of 50% DNA from their mother and 50% from their father.
Additionally, there is the multi-breed factor. In mixed-breed dogs (whose parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were also mixed), some genetic markers in dogs are harder to track after generations of breeding. That is why our tests offer confidence levels and probabilistic ranges, always being transparent with science.
Our report offers you real solutions. Understanding your dog's ancestors and health predispositions adds incalculable value to its routine: it allows you to personalize its nutrition (for example, if it has ancestors prone to obesity), adapt its exercise level, and schedule specific tests during its veterinarian visits.
