Mixed-Breed DNA Tests and Bully Breeds

13
three dogs in the grass
The mixed-breed DNA tests agree that each of my three dogs (from left: Otto, Woody, and Boone) has a preponderance of "bully" breeds in them. Each was adopted from my local shelter (in 2008, 2016, and 2022, respectively), and I feel like the breeds seen in all three of their results, from either company, make a pretty good representation of the breeds in this part of the world. ©Nancy Kerns

I just received the results of my youngest dog’s mixed-breed DNA test from Embark; I already had results from Wisdom Panel. Over the years, I’ve submitted DNA samples from all three of my dogs to both of the most reputable providers of mixed-breed identification tests. In my opinion, the results have gotten more accurate over time – and they even concur on much of the information returned. With one interesting exception – see if you can find it.

Otto

Embark

21.3% American Pit Bull Terrier

14.1% Australian Cattle Dog

13.2% German Shepherd Dog

12.3% Chow Chow

10.3% Labrador Retriever

8% Border Collie

4.3% Rottweiler

16.5% “Supermutt”

Wisdom Panel

12.5% American Staffordshire Terrier

12.5% Australian Cattle Dog

12.5% Border Collie

12.5% Chow Chow

12.5% German Shepherd Dog

37% Mixed Breed Groups

Woody

Embark

40.8% American Pit Bull Terrier

30.3% Labrador Retriever

19.9% American Staffordshire Terrier

9.0% Olde English Bulldogge

Wisdom Panel

62.5% American Staffordshire Terrier

25% Labrador Retriever

12.5% Mixed Breed Groups

Boone

Embark

42.0% American Pit Bull Terrier

29.1% American Staffordshire Terrier

8.1% American Bulldog

8% Boxer

4.7% English Springer Spaniel

Wisdom Panel

36% American Staffordshire Terrier

29% American Pit Bull Terrier

6% Boxer

6% German Wirehaired Pointer

5% American Bulldog

5% Springer Spaniel

4% Great Dane

3% Australian Cattle Dog

2% German Shorthaired Pointer

2% Labrador Retriever

2% Chow Chow

Embark thinks that ALL of my dogs have more American Pit Bull Terrier in them than anything else; Wisdom Panel thinks that all of my dogs have more American Staffordshire Terrier in them than anything.

Despite owning three of these dogs with an apparent preponderance of “bully” breeds in them, I don’t know how American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers can be so interchangeable. Who can explain this, in simple terms? I’ve read a dozen articles and am still mystified. At least the companies are consistent in their results!

13 COMMENTS

  1. I have been working with dogs since 1970 in various positions as Kennel manager, APDT trainer, purebred dog breeder. In all that time working in California I have never seen a chow wandering the street.
    What I find interesting is none of the breed’s listed for Otto show his wire haired coat pattern.
    My AKC registered American Staffordshire is also UKC registered as an American Pit Bull Terrier but the one time I showed him at a UKC show going Reserve Best in Show the other exhibitors were unhappy that I was showing him.

  2. Fascinating topic, Nancy, and on my mind recently too! We’ve only submitted to Embark for our rescue pup, Kāli, who came back as 100% APBT. The one-color pie chart baffled me for a few minutes when reviewing the results! Of note though, her closest DNA “relatives” listed by Embark, as close as first cousins, all tested as 100% American Staffordshire Terrier. She’s a short little thing at 45 lbs. I’d be curious to see what Embark would say on the topic.

    • Danielle, I had the same experience as you. Our 48lb male bully came back 90% APBT but most of his closest relatives were American Bullys. I asked Embark if their results were in error (after all, he’s sized more for an American Bully than an APBT) and while I don’t recall it exactly, their answer was something along the lines of, these two breeds share so many common ancestors and so much mixing that it is not uncommon for a dog from one breed to have a lot of DNA in common with a dog from another. They don’t actually have to be closely related. Essentially, the pool is too small, and having the same chromosomes as another dog doesn’t mean they are actually half-siblings. I am not a scientist, I am only paraphrasing what the Embark associate told me! But that sheds a little light on Nancy’s experience too, where Embark and Wisdom possibly attributed the same chromosomes to different bully breeds. Nancy, I hope you do ask them yourself and let us know what they say!

  3. I can’t explain these results BUT, Embark is great to answer your questions! Check with the company and I am sure that a specialist will get in touch with you. I hope that you post the information when you get an answer.

  4. Several years ago I sent samples for my dogs to Wisdom and one of the results for a dog originally rescued from a Caribbean island was clearly wrong. I called them and they said that (at least at that time ) they could not test international dogs. I asked isn’t a golden retriever a golden retriever everywhere? And they said no. Variations in breeds occur from different parts of the world so their algorithm couldn’t account for that. Even though your dogs aren’t inte