Canine DNA Contest held by Vets for Curious Owners

Posted on June 07, 2010 by Lizz

Ever wondered what breed your dog is? Apparently a lot of people do. That was the inspiration for a doggie DNA contest that was held recently by a local veterinary clinic.

The Vets Animal Hospital, 1295 Main Street Unit No. 7, put together the event.
"A number of clients had no idea what breed their dog was," said Tiffany Fast, an office manager at The Vets. "I think a lot of people don't realize you can find out the breed of the dog (through DNA testing)."

The animal hospital hosted a Wisdom Panel DNA contest earlier this month. The contest was designed to help residents figure out the breed of their pet through a simple blood test. However, only one winner was chosen from the drawing.

Windsor resident Michelle Lueck and her five-year-old dog, Divot, were the lucky winners.
"I was surprised," she said Tuesday. "I didn't figure we would get it. We're really excited. I'm sure he won't be too excited to have his blood drawn."

It will take four to six weeks for the test results to come back.

Lueck was told Divot was a Beagle mix when she adopted him.

"He doesn't really look like that now but he did when he was a puppy," she said. "He also doesn't have the bark or the ears but he is brown and white. He was left there (at a Tennessee animal shelter) with his mom and sister."

The contest coincided with National Pet Week, May 2-8.

"Basically, it's a week in May when we celebrate pets and their families," said Dawn Beers, a head veterinary technician at The Vets. "We try to educate people and support them to take the best quality care and the safety of their animals."
Fast agreed.

"In honor of National Pet Week, we like to do promotions every now and then that are fun," she said. "Basically, it's a time to get awareness out there about the health of your pet."
The Vets also held a similar contest in October.

 

Originally published at: The Beacon (Windsor, CO)
Author: Lisa Mehring
Date: May 29, 2010