Breeders today are no strangers to DNA testing. Most know how it works and understand its value in identifying hereditary diseases. It’s a simple mouth swab away from unlocking vital genetic information. But what about using DNA testing for something just as crucial—ensuring pedigree accuracy? Surprisingly, many breeders overlook this critical function.
Why?
“I don’t need DNA to tell me who the sire is—I know who it is.”
Sound familiar? Many breeders feel that questioning the accuracy of their pedigrees implies questioning their integrity. But here’s the thing: mistakes happen, accidents occur, and sometimes, well, let’s just say there’s another sire with a smile on his face.
Breeders and the general public place complete trust in kennel clubs to maintain and uphold registries. Kennel clubs are the gatekeepers of pedigrees, ensuring that lineages are recorded correctly, and accurately passed down through generations. DNA profiling, or genetic fingerprinting, has become a cornerstone tool for verifying these pedigrees, ensuring that they remain sacrosanct.
One of the earliest adopters of DNA profiling was the American Kennel Club (AKC), implementing its Frequently Used Sires Program in 1998. The AKC’s Charter and Bylaws make it clear: their primary role is to maintain and publish an official stud book and to uphold the integrity of their registry. So, why have so many other kennel clubs been slow to adopt DNA profiling?
Think of a DNA profile as a unique barcode. Each dog has a specific genetic fingerprint made up of markers at various locations in their DNA. These markers are inherited from both parents—one from the dam and one from the sire. By comparing these markers, we can confirm parentage, verify multiple-sire litters, and even validate artificial insemination. Only identical twins share the same DNA profile.
Not anymore. Twenty years ago, profiling a dog’s DNA could cost upwards of $150. Today, the cost has plummeted. A full human genome can now be sequenced for just over $300. A single DNA profile for a dog costs as little as $50, and when spread over a dog’s breeding lifetime, that cost per puppy becomes negligible.
It’s simple: start with the current breeding stock. There’s no need to retroactively test past generations—just focus on the dogs actively producing litters today. If every breeding dog is profiled, any future pedigree concerns can be easily validated.
While independence is admirable, today’s dog buyers demand transparency. DNA profiling is a modern tool that ensures the pedigree they’re purchasing is accurate. As breeders, ensuring the authenticity of a dog’s lineage is not just an ethical responsibility—it’s an expectation.
Meet Charlie, my Boston Terrier, and Mary, my Griffon. They are both absolute characters, with personalities larger than life. Now, let’s say I decide to breed Mary (not happening, but let’s play along). If I weren’t careful, I might end up with a litter that includes a few extra surprises—perhaps a little too much of the neighbor’s charming Poodle in the mix. DNA profiling would be my safety net, confirming whether the sire I intended is actually the father.
The reality is that breeding surprises happen more often than people think. Whether it’s a clever escape artist, a kennel mishap, or even an honest record-keeping error, DNA testing ensures that pedigrees remain trustworthy. And in cases of multiple-sire litters—where a dam mates with more than one male—DNA profiling is the only way to sort out who fathered whom.
When selecting a DNA profiling service, it’s important to choose one that meets internationally recognized standards. The International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) sets the global benchmark for DNA testing, ensuring uniformity and reliability. There are two primary types of DNA profiling panels to consider:
The Classic STR DNA Profile (ISAG 2006) – I like to refer to this as the “analogue” system of DNA Profiling. This method analyzes 22 Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers, providing an unalterable, tamper-proof genetic fingerprint for unique identification. The profile is stored in a secure DNA database and is internationally comparable. With a test reliability and exclusion probability for parentage analyses exceeding 99.99 percent, this is a trusted and widely used method.
The Premium SNP DNA Profile (ISAG 2020) – The Orivet standard and usually referred to as the “digital” system of DNA Profiling. This newer method analyzes 230 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), providing an even more robust and detailed genetic fingerprint. Like the STR profile, it is unalterable, tamper-proof, and stored in a DNA database. The SNP profile also offers international comparability with a test reliability exceeding 99.99 percent. One key advantage of the SNP profile is that it allows for parentage verification even with only one parent’s DNA (for certain breeds, upon request). Additionally, breeders receive a free genetic diversity and heterozygosity analysis, giving valuable insights into a dog’s genetic background. By ensuring your DNA profiles meet ISAG standards, you guarantee that the results are accurate, internationally recognized, and can be compared across different registries and laboratories worldwide.
Kennel clubs worldwide should recognize DNA profiling as an essential tool rather than a threat to their registries. Instead of resisting it, embracing genetic verification would only enhance the credibility of their records. Ensuring accurate pedigrees isn’t about mistrust—it’s about maintaining the integrity of the breed.
Many kennel clubs have yet to implement mandatory DNA profiling, often citing concerns about cost, logistics, or breeder resistance. But as technology advances, the excuses are running thin. The AKC’s model has proven effective—why not follow suit?
As genetic testing becomes more advanced, it will become even easier to integrate DNA profiling into everyday breeding practices. With greater accessibility and affordability, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t become a standard requirement for all reputable breeders.
DNA profiling isn’t just a tool for identifying health risks—it’s a safeguard for preserving the purity and reliability of a breed’s lineage. It protects breeders, buyers, and the integrity of the sport itself.
So, the next time someone tells you, “I don’t need DNA to tell me who the sire is—I know who it is,” just smile and say, “Tell that to the sire with a grin on his face.”
Charlie and Mary certainly would.
