3 Things I Learned by DNA Testing My Rescue Dog

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As a dog mom, I like being prepared with as much information about my dogs as possible.  The more I know about their breed makeup and health information, the more I can understand their behaviors and traits, and be prepared for health challenges in the future.  

I am so grateful for the information the Embark dog DNA test gave me about Starsky!  Since I didn’t know too much about my rescue dog’s background, the information I learned was very insightful:

1.     He’s a purebred American Foxhound.

I always knew that Starsky was some sort of hound dog.  His rescue believed that he was a Treeing Walker Coonhound because he’s a large tricolor hound and so many coonhounds come up to the Northeast United States from the South.   I didn’t even know about the American Foxhound breed for the first few years I had Starsky! 

Once I learned about American Foxhounds, I thought Starsky was either an American Foxhound or a Foxhound mix of some sort. His personality traits and appearance seemed to fit the description, but American Foxhounds are a pretty rare breed, so it didn’t seem all that likely that he was a purebred Foxhound.  He had to have something else hiding in there! 

After a few years, I finally purchased an Embark dog DNA kit and was surprised to learn that Starsky was in fact 100% American Foxhound.  Of course I would have loved him no matter what breed he was, but it was definitely fun to learn what breeds (or just breed, in this case) were in my handsome hound dog!

2.     His neurological issue may still be a rare mystery, but now I know what it isn’t.

Starsky has always been a bit of an oddball.  When he was younger, I always said he did a “leap frog run” – his running gait is awkward and he lifts his back legs at the same time and sort of leap frogs along.  I always chalked it up to being clumsy, but as he got older, I started noticing some other strange symptoms.  His back legs swing out a bit when he walks, a sort of penguin waddle.  His rear end seems to be getting progressively weaker and his neck seems either stiff or weak.  

Even the neurologist was stumped.  Foxhounds are already rare and this seemed to be a rare genetic condition.  While the symptoms are similar to degenerative myelopathy, there are also some distinct differences. The neurologist thought DM was unlikely since Starsky is still relatively young and DM isn’t common in hound breeds.

After Starsky’s DNA results came back, I was able to rule out DM.  I still don’t know exactly what is going on, but thanks to our Embark dog DNA test, I know what it isn’t.  Embark tests for over 200 genetic risks, and I am so grateful the test provides that health information.

Based on some research and Embark’s confirmation that Starsky’s neurological issues are not degenerative myelopathy, I suspect Starsky has a rare genetic condition that is present in some poorly bred American Foxhounds.  Whatever it is, Starsky’s symptoms are genetic and lifelong and result in a progressive weakening of his spine and muscles.  Knowing this, I can work to help him build muscle and keep an eye out for new symptoms or worsening of his current ones.

3.     He is related to my friends’ dogs!

A few months after I had Starsky’s DNA tested, my friends had their rescue dogs tested as well.  When Fenway’s and Jonathan’s tests came back, we were surprised to learn that not only did we all have American Foxhounds (or Foxhound mixes), but they were family!

Starsky and Jonathan have 12% shared DNA – meaning they share as much DNA as first cousins!

Starsky and Fenway have 14% shared DNA – also first cousins!

I’ve really enjoyed looking at pictures of Starsky’s cousins and half siblings.  Some of them even have Instagram accounts so I have been able to chat with their owners and see photos of their daily adventures!

Embark also has a new feature where you can compare your dog’s DNA to any other dog who has been tested by Embark.  Is your dog related to Starsky?!  Order an Embark dog DNA test and check out Starsky’s profile once you get your results – and don’t forget to let me know!!