He barks like a Chihuahua but looks like a Terrier! What is my dog? Just in time for National Pet Week (May 3 to 9), Wisdom Panel, the gold standard in mixed-breed genetic identification for dogs and the most veterinarian- recognized name in canine genetics(1), is now available in more than 800 U.S. PetSmart stores nationwide. Identifying the breeds in a crossbred dog can open new windows for owners and veterinarians to better understand their pets and what kind of activity plans best suit an individual dog.

Introduced in the fall of 2007, the popular Wisdom Panel MX helps owners determine their dog’s ancestry. Using a blood-based DNA sample, which is scientifically proven to be the best way to collect genetic material for analysis, the test can detect 157 breeds that may be present in a mixed-breed dog. Wisdom Panel MX not only detects 50 percent more breeds than any other breed identification test on the market, but it is the only test publishing accuracy, which at 90 percent is higher than even most human genetic testing.(2)

Taking the Mystery Out of Mixed-Breed Dogs

Roughly half of all dogs in the United States are mixed breed and the bulk of owners (86 percent)(3) are unsure of their pet’s breed composition. The revolutionary Wisdom Panel MX eliminates the guessing game – and six out of 10 mixed breed dog owners feel that having this knowledge would help them understand their dogs in ways that may improve their relationships with their pets.

The test is administered by veterinarians during a routine veterinary visit – such as a new puppy vet visit or as part of an adult dog’s annual vaccination visit – where a small sample of blood is drawn. Within just two to three weeks following the test, Mars Veterinary will provide owners and veterinarians a customized, comprehensive report that includes the dog’s breed analysis and detailed information on the appearance and potential behavioral characteristics of the detected breeds. Dog owners can work together with their vets to interpret the test data and create targeted care and wellness plans for their dogs based on their test results.

“Wisdom Panel MX realizes that every dog has an important tale to tell,” says Michael Price, General Manager for Mars Veterinary. “This test, now available at retail nationwide, offers mixed breed dog owners the unique opportunity to unlock the mystery behind their beloved mutts, which can ultimately strengthen the human-pet bond.”

The Science Behind the Doggie DNA Test

The state-of-the-art Wisdom Panel MX test from Mars Veterinary(TM) is based on years of extensive research, drawing from the expertise of leading scientists, veterinarians, universities and breed organizations throughout the world. Its development included the analysis of more than 19 million DNA markers from more than 13,000 dogs. As a result, the test is the most complete and comprehensive product on the market, able to detect the breed composition of a dog with unprecedented accuracy.

Consumers can purchase Wisdom Panel MX at PetSmart for a one-time fee of just $124.99. For more information log onto visit www.wisdompanel.com.

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