Zuki

Hi there!

I wanted to share our DNA results for our dog Zuki. We got her from a rescue when she was 9 weeks old; she is now 8 months. The rescue's best guess of her breed was Australian Shepherd/Shih Tzu. Her sisters looked more like a Shih Tzu, while she had more of an appearance of an Aussie. As she grew, we continued to think of various breeds she could consist of, not sure what to tell people when asked what kind of dog she was (a VERY common question). We began wondering if she had some corgi in her due to her short legs and long body. Friends had also mentioned husky, but with her mostly solid coloring, semi-floppy ears, and small stature, we didn't think it was likely.

She is currently about 23 pounds, loves people and children, but does suffer from some "Small Dog Syndrome".

Results showed her to be:

• Level 1: Siberian Husky
• Level 3: Lhasa Apso

I guess that explains her love for the 8 inches of snow that just fell, vibrant blue eyes, thick water-repelling coat, and big furry "snowshoe" paws!

Thanks for finally determining what our little mix is!

Maeta and Tyler
Red Wing, MN

Happy Dog DNA In The News!

WSAV News in Savannah, GA interviewed Brett Burdick with Happy Dog DNA for their story on Dog DNA Tests which aired this week. While the vast majority of our customers test their dogs to determine the breeds that make them unique simply because they are curious and it's good entertainment, we have heard from several of our customers who were excited to learn that their dogs' medical conditions can be better explained after they learned what breeds make up their mutts.

Check out the video:



WSAV reporter Holly Bounds is testing her little mutt with a Happy Dog DNA test and another test and will report the results once they are in. We'll keep you posted!

Roxie

I was so excited to learn the heritage of my rescue dog Roxie-- she is a very interesting dog. She had been abused and neglected and was a traumatized little six-eight month old dog when I got her from half way across the country. She would not eat out of my hand or lay on the couch with me for about nine months. I got another dog to be her friend and teach her how to be around humans. She is now a very loving and loyal dog. Even when she would not come near me voluntarily, she attacked any other dog who came near me uninvited. She also, surprisingly after her initial fear, loves to be the center of attention and will lay down in the middle of a large group of people and look up with a smile. I would love to know why she is so attracted to water-- she seeks it out and will go into a puddle or stream or lake and immediately lay in it! Shar Peis and Afghans, I thought, do not much like water… She is an adult now and almost 30 pounds-- up from 22.

• Level 2: Chinese Shar-Pei
• Level 3: Afghan Hound

Faith
Bangor, ME

Gus

Gus is a wonderful, lovey dog who came to me from a rescue organization in September 2006. I believed from appearances he was Border Colllie-Corgi, but found out through your DNA testing that he is a Sheltie! Also a bit of Belgian Tervuren and Short-Haired German Pointer. Hence the over-size paws and thick short legs that are a bit bowed from the weight, I think. He is 35 pounds and struggling to lose at least 5! He is a very loving and loyal, submissive dog. I have had him trimmed very short due to the heat and ticks in the summer in Maine. He has a great nose, but unfortunately will not back down from a skunk!

Results were:

• Sheltland Sheepdog: Level 1
• Belgian Tervuren: Level 5
• German Short-Haired Pointer: Level 5
  

Faith
Bangor, ME

Gunny

Gunny has silver fur, grey eyes, and webbed feet

Extremely long-limbed

.... and ready to run at any opportunity!

Hi There!

Just want to share our results with everyone.

Gunny is our shelter dog. We adopted him at 8 weeks old, and were told that he was a Lab/Chow mix. After 6 months of friends and well-wishers offering their opinion of what Gunny's lineage is (lab, Pit Bull, German Shepherd) we decided to get your DNA test.

And boy are we surprised!

Here it is:

• Level 3: Borzoi
• Level 3: Bassett Hound (!!)
• Level 4: Yorkshire Terrier (!!)
• Level 4: New Foundland
• Level 4: Chow Chow

Go Figure!

Thanks for everything.

Lyn and Bird
Rembert, SC

Sierra Vista Animal Control - Shelter Program Partner

Happy Dog DNA offers a Shelter Program to shelters and adoption centers across the country to help promote our products and services while supporting their dog adoption programs. For every DNA test that is sent in through their shelter, Happy Dog DNA makes a cash donation back to the shelter. They help customers determine the breeds in their mixed-breed mutts, we sell a DNA test and they receive a donation. It's win-win-win!

Sierra Vista Animal Control, located in Sierra Vista, AZ, is one of our most active Shelter Program participants. As you can see from the photos, they have done a great job to promote the program and it's been a huge success. Many thanks to Sierra Vista Animal Control for their participation and for all the work they do to adopt out their shelter dogs!

Kido

Hi,

I am sending you some pictures of our 16 year old, Kido. We have been asked countless times, "What is he?" Many comment that he looks like he has some wolf or coyote in him. Our response has always been we think he's a shepherd/husky mix. Looks like we weren't too far off.

• Level 2: Siberian Husky
• Level 4: Basset Hound
• Level 5: Poodle
• Level 5: West Highland White Terrier

Kido's name is related to his older brother (he's been gone about 3 years). My son brought home a Lhasa/Poodle mix on his 18th birthday. He was a gift from his karate coach. So we named him Kenpo for the type of karate he was studying. Kido had been abandoned in a park when he weighed 8 pounds. We named him Aikido, as my two youngest daughters were studying that form of martial art. It was shortened to Kido over time.

We still can't believe he's made it to 16. He's a little shaky at times and needs to wear a doggy diaper at night, but he still smiles and loves to sleep in the sun.

Thanks,
Nancy
Darby, MT

Shasta

Hi, Happy Dog DNA!

I just very happy for the results that I received in regards to my dog, Shasta. I would love it if you could post the following message on you blog.

About seven year's ago, I was hounding my parents to adopt a dog. After about a year and a half of searching, my dad finally found Shasta at an SPCA. She was a stray dog, but based on her loving demeanor you could not tell it one bit. We were originally drawn to her for her gentle nature and her affectionate personality. Her markings are what stood out to us as well. The SPCA that we adopted Shasta at, claimed that she was a Labrador Retriever/ Border Collie Mix.

From the beginning we always wondered what breeds Shasta was. We talked with some of our closest friends and relatives, who were dog fanatics about what breeds Shasta could possibly be. These were the main breeds that we thought Shasta was made up of: Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, Dalmatian (she has spotted ears), and Australians Shepard.

I finally decided that enough was enough with these guessing games. I wanted to find out for sure what Shasta was! I ordered the DNA test and waited for the results.

My whole family and I are quite shocked with how the results came out.

Shasta's ancestry is made up of:

• Level 3-Schnauzer
• Level 4-Border Collie
• Level 4-Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Level 4-Scottish Terrier
• Level 4-Shetland Sheepdog
• Level 4- Yorkshire Terrier
• Level 5- Siberian Husky

Now that I have found out her results, some of her weird behaviors are making sense. Her coloring also makes a great deal of sense as well. We are very pleased that this mystery is finally solved!

Thank You,
Andrea
San Francisco, CA

Jenni

In November 2009 I rescued Jenni from a retriever rescue. She had come to them a week earlier from an animal shelter that was going to put her to sleep. Sadly, in May 2010 the retriever rescue was closed down do to neglect, and all of their dogs sent back to that same shelter. I feel like I rescued Jenni twice. I was very pleased to see that she is a Level 1 Labrador Retriever. She has all of the Labrador traits and is a wonderful dog. Jenni loves to swim and play catch.

The black lab in the picture is Toby that I already had. I got Jenni as a playmate for him, and they are great buddies :)

Thank you for confirming what I already suspected. Labs are great dogs!

Cheryl Hurley
Plant City, Fl

Pixie

I recently adopted Pixie and was curious about what breeds made up my new little pup. I purchased a DNA kit for my other dog Charlie and could see characteristics of the breeds in him. After receiving Pixie's results, I can definitely see some of the breeds, but am still looking for characteristics of the most dominant one, her results were:

• Level 2 - Afghan Hound
• Level 3 - Labrador Retriever
• Level 4 - Basenji
• Level 4 - Collie

I have attached pictures of Pixie and a picture with both dogs.

Julie
Troy, Michigan

Remy

I have been passionate about Brittanys since I first owned my 5 year old Brittany named Freckles. Freckles was a purebred puppy that was sold to someone who later realized that they could not properly care for her. Long story short: I adopted her just before she became desperately ill with Parvo and intestinal parasites. I paid for her treatments, vaccines, spay, etc and she was able to find a "forever home" in my heart. Freckles is such a wonderful dog with such an amazing personality and she reminds me everyday how special Brittanys are.

This past summer I moved into my first place and thought that it would be nice for Freckles to have some company at home while I was working or at school during the day, It was just a simple thought- I hadn't been actively searching for another dog, but out of the blue this wonderful, handsome, and very sweet doggie ended up at the vet clinic where I worked. His name was Remy and he was an owner surrender to be examined so that he could be sent to a rescue. I immediately fell in love and planned to take him home the next day. He tested positive for heartworms, had a heavy intestinal parasite load, and needed to be neutered. I took him home got his treatments underway and he has become a wonderful part of my family.

Knowing how much I love Brittanys and their personalities I knew that I wanted to have Remy tested. He showed many physical traits of a Brittany or a Springer but something wasn't quite all there. His personality and protective tendencies made me question whether he was even mixed with a Brittany at all.

I was very happy and enlightened to find that his results were:

• Level 2: Brittany
• Level 4: Springer
• Level 4: Doberman

His results definitely made alot of sense and I was so thrilled to find out that he was mostly Brittany.You can see alot of the Springer physical characteristics, but the Doberman in the mix definitely helps explain his high prey drive and extreme protectiveness over me. The funny thing is that after-the-fact I can actually see some of the slight Doberman markings above his eyebrows and on his cheeks.

Brittany
Pikeville, NC

Happy Dog DNA's Website Is Back Up!

We apologize but our website was temporarily down due to technical problems our web hosting company, Yahoo, was having.

For our customers who have been inconvenienced, we will be offering a discount coupon code when you check out using your credit card. This coupon code will be valid through Oct. 7, 2010.

Simply enter HAPPYDOG6 at checkout to receive 6% off your total order. Shipping is always FREE! Thanks for your patience!

Myla

When my fiance and I adopted Myla from the shelter at 10 weeks old, the description read "Boxer mix". We could definitely tell she had Boxer in her, but we weren't sure to what extent and what else she could be mixed with. Some people had guessed Lab or Mastiff because of her hair and huge paws. Attached is a picture of Myla as a puppy and Myla now (at 1 year old).

Here are Myla's results:

• Level 1: Boxer
• Level 4: Chow Chow

We are very pleased with Myla's results and surprised by the Chow Chow. We definitely plan on sending our 2nd pup's DNA results away to you very soon.

Thank you!
Lauren
Dundalk, MD

Gus

This is Gus who is now a 1 year old rescue. Boy were we shocked with part of his results. We easily saw the German Shepherd but the Poodle was a stunner, however now we see it in his height, and long face. He is a great dog, full of energy, loves to be active. Thanks for solving our guessing game and the good service. His results were,

• Level 3: German Shepherd Dog
• Level 3: Poodle
• Level 4: Siberian Husky
• Level 5: Chihuahua
• Level 5: Pug

Quite the interesting mix.

Thanks again,
John & Denise
North Montpelier, VT

Barley

Thanks for letting us know what our mixed breed dog had in him. I have attached a photo of Barley, who we found out is mostly Border Collie/German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd. WE love his mix and he is such a great dog. We get compliments on him wherever he goes.

Thanks for the quick and easy DNA test.

Brie
Steamboat Springs, CO

Candy's Results!

I just received my dog’s DNA results in the mail and I cannot believe the results. I have worked at a veterinarians office for several years and I was certain I had guessed at least half of what she was…but I was way off.

I adopted Candy last year in August 2009 through a rescue organization called HAPPE. She was being treated for heartworms at the vet’s office I work at. She is approx. 4 years old. Everyone always asks me what breed she is and my best answer was “half golden retriever, half cat”. She looks just like a golden retriever, just miniature! (her full grown weight is 36 pounds).

Everybody at my work guessed what she was mixed with. We had answers that included: golden retriever, collie, sheltie, papillon, shiba inu (not on the list!), and chow! (NONE OF THOSE WERE RIGHT)

Her results were:

• Level 2: Doberman Pinscher
• Level 3: Labrador Retriever
• Level 4: American Eskimo Dog
• Level 5: Boxer
• Level 5: Chinese Shar-Pei

She looks NOTHING like a Doberman; however, she does have a head shaking condition which doctors didn’t know what was wrong with her; maybe now they know she is a Doberman we can look into the “Idiopathic head bobbing syndrome” that’s common for Dobermans. Labrador retrievers look kind of like golden retrievers so I can definitely see that. American Eskimo dog is where she gets her small size from and her “fluff” she has small fluffy ears, fluffy butt, and fluffy feet (which I trim every 2 weeks cause she slips and falls). AND she sheds like CRAZY! Just like the Eskimo. Boxer I don’t see so much (but it is less than 10%). Chinese Shar-Pei, she may have picked up the bad skin problems because she itches and scratches constantly and she has a partial purple tongue!

Thank you Happy Dog DNA!
Melanie
Chesterfield, VA

Griffen

I adopted Griffen when he was between 8-10 weeks old from Guam Animals in Need (G.A.I.N.) while I was stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam in 2007. He was a tiny puppy, weighing it at only 7 lbs. Now full grown, Griffen weighs around 50 lbs. We stayed in Guam until March of 2008 and then flew back to the states. He traveled with me to my next base in Florida and then back to my home state of Pennsylvania when my enlistment was finished. So he is definitely well-traveled! He always adjusted very well to his new surroundings. I used to tell people he was a Guamanian Shepherd, because I had no idea what he was.

Griffen is a very gentle and calm dog who loves to snuggle. He can be very shy at times though. He gets along well with other dogs and his feline roomate, Bella. He enjoys going to visit his playmates: Ruger, a German Shorthair Pointer, at my boyfriend's house; Harley, a German Shepherd, at my dad's house; and Lexie, Savanna, and Mikie, all Boston Terriers, at my mom's house.
Griffen definitely has a personality and he's pretty smart too. I've had so many people ask me what kind of dog he is and I have often wondered myself, so when I heard of DNA testing for dogs, I got right online and found Happy Dog DNA. Everyone tried to guess what breeds he had in him as I waited for the results to get here, and honestly, no one even guessed any, not even myself!

• Level 3: Akita
• Level 3: Boston Terrier
• Level 4: Newfoundland
• Level 4: Pomeranian
• Level 4: Shih Tzu

Quite an interesting mix, huh? I was thrilled about the Boston Terrier in him, because they are my favorite breed. But regardless of what makes up my little buddy's genetics, I love him like family and he will always be my spoiled Guam dog!

Thanks Happy Dog DNA!
Krista
Lock Haven, PA

Meet Molly, Gabby, and Cooper

Gabby is a loving, affectionate puppy that will eat anything in site; whether it is a bag of peach o’s, a bug from outside or her Blue Buffalo dog food. Despite her eating habits she only weighs 40 lbs and is very stout. She has a little brother named Cooper who is a 3 year-old Chihuahua and weighs approximately 8.5 lbs. He does not like other people in his territory and is very protective of me and Gabby. They love to run and play tug-a-war together; surprisingly Cooper typically wins the battle but I think it is because Gabby is so careful with him. They have become best buds and cannot stand to be apart.

Gabby (left, chocolate), Molly (right, black)

Molly is Gabby’s newest friend who came to stay with us while her mom was out of town. Gabby and Molly were friends at first sight and immediately began chasing each other around the yard and acting silly. Molly is very affectionate and enjoys being around people and other animals. After months of research the vet determined that Molly was allergic to everything including grass, cats, etc. Despite her allergies Molly has a cat named Shelby that she loves to play with. Molly loves to swim and tends to point at birds, bugs, and squirrels.

Molly & Shelby

At first glance we thought Gabby and Molly might be similar breeds seeing as they are the same size, have the same hair growth and have similar temperaments. Both dogs came from animal shelter so we never really knew what they were. A co-worker mentioned that he had his dog tested to determine his dogs breed so we thought it would be interesting to find out if Gabby and Molly were of similar breeds.

Here are the results:

Molly - 5 Years Old

Molly:

• Level 2: Golden Retriever
• Level 4: Basenji
• Level 4: Chow Chow
• Level 4: Shih Tzu

Gabby - 1 Year Old

Gabby:

• Level 2: Labrador Retriever
• Level 3: Irish Setter
• Level 4: Australian Shepard

Cooper - 3 Years Old

Cooper:

• Level 1: Chihuahua
• Level 4: Golden Retriever
• Level 5: Belgian Tervuren

The results for Cooper and Molly surprised us. We thought Molly might be a Border Collie mix of some sort but we never expected Golden Retriever or Shih Tzu. Her looks closely resemble that of a Basenji and we can also see the Chow Chow. As for Cooper, the Golden Retriever and the Belgian Tervuren were a complete shocker seeing as those are large breeds and he weighs 8.5 lbs. Gabby’s results were not surprising at all. She has the personality of a lab, the coloring and ears of the Irish Setter, and the body size of an Australian Shepard.

Thank you!
Lauren
Dallas, TX

[Note from Happy Dog DNA: Please note that at Level 1 Chihuahua, Cooper's results mean that he is at least 75% Chihuhua and the Level 4 and 5 breeds are less than 20% of the other breeds which means they were likely present in past generations. He sure looks like a Chihuahua! Thanks for sharing their stories and the results!]

Meet Phoebe

Meet Phoebe: 8 months old.

Level 2: American Staffordshire Terrier
Level 3: Boxer
Level 4: Chow Chow

Miss Phoebe's a happy little puppy who lives right near the water. She absolutely loves the beach and going swimming. Very social and incredibly loving... with both dogs and humans. She is very intelligent, and picks up tricks on the second of third try, she can even read her name when presented two different words!

Her results were not a surprise at all, except for the chow chow. The 2 odd things about her results are they don't explain her very small size, considering all 3 of those breeds are fairly large. She's about 8 months old, but most people still think she is about 3 months old. Also, she absolutely loves the beach, swimming, and anything to do with the water. Her feet are webbed, yet none of these breeds explain her love for the water, and her great ability to swim. If anyone has any insight on this please feel free to comment!

Thanks Happy Dog DNA!

Austin
Charleston, SC

P.S. Phoebe was a rescue from our local shelter. Only the best dogs come from the shelters!