Who's Your Daddy?

I mean, look at me. I'm a good-looking dog. I'm always getting compliments. I look good. My mom has always wanted to know what mix of breeds created me and told people that I was a Rottweiler-Newfoundland because of my coloring and the shape of my head. But no one really knew. This weekend, she got the DNA test results from Wisdom Panel Insights DNA test. As suspected, one of my parents was a purebred Rottweiler. However, the other was quite a mutt: half Chow Chow, fourth Kerry Blue Terrier (really?) and fourth mix of other things that could include Great Pyrenees or Leonberger, both of which could explain my Newfie-ish good looks.

The advertisement for DNA tests (besides that you're just curious) is that knowing more about the breeds of your dogs allows you to help train them. However, while it is important to understand your breed and what it is bred to do, every dog is an individual, and a study by Pongracz in 2005 found that the way for which a dog is cared effects its performance on tasks moreso than its breed. I think I may just be proof that you have to train the individual more than the breed.

The DNA test asks: Do you recognize any of these Rottweiler traits in Chubbs?

• Calm (yes), intelligent (duh) and hard-working (ha!)
• Respond well to reward-based training (well, yeah, who doesn't?)
• Enjoy dog sports (yeah, right, that involves moving -- tried agility and was pretty good, but I'd rather sleep)
• May be reserved or aloof around strangers (a little; I'm friendly but I have my limits)
• May be aggressive (like a teddy bear?)

Do you recognize these Chow Chow traits in Chubbs?

• Again, reserved with strangers and responding to reward-based training
• Again with the aggression (yeah, right)

Do you recognize these Kerry Blue Terrier traits in Chubbs?

• Active and spirited (I'm chuckling now)
• Enjoys dog sports (laughing)
• May hunt or chase wildlife and be difficult to engage from active behavior (at this point, anyone who knows me is as hysterical as I am)

So, yes, it was cool to learn about my heritage, but while I am Rottie-esque, I really share very little in common with Chow Chows and Kerry Blue Terriers. I don't think this will change the way I am trained!

Love, Chubbs