Where Did I Come From?

The DNA results are in.  If you thought that you'd be getting a definitive formula for how to make a Little Ninja (24% Bulldog, 8% Dalmatian, etc.) you would be a little disappointed.  But! If you thought that the results would reveal some heretofore unknown, rare British breeds with a distinct resemblance to my darling beast, you would be stoked.

The paperwork included a lot of mumbo jumbo about dog genotypes and something called the "15-N population results" as well as a composite of Ginger's ancestral population (70% hunter, 24% wolf-like, 2.9%herder, 2.7% mastiff).  Whatever that means.

The results also included a log-in ID and password for me to use on their apparently-evolving database.  This database suggested some likely breed mixes, each a two-breed hybrid.

I soon noted that the database doesn't appear to include a profile for a Chihuahua, the dog to which Ginger bears the most obvious resemblance.  This makes me a little dubious about the results generally.  The web site encourages me to check back frequently, so if they get a bead on the Taco Bell dog, maybe Ginger's stats will be updated.

The coolest thing about the results was the strong suggestion that Ginger is, in some non-insignificant part, a Lancashire Heeler. 

Lancashire Heeler

Mystery Mutt:

IT'S UNCANNY!  I mean, other than the totally opposite coloring.  Which could be explained by the Cocker Spaniel suggested by the Dog DNA place as a likely component part.  Other top nominees include German Shorthair Pointer (like Pearl from the Spenser novels!) and Chow Chow.  Which... WHAT? 

Ultimately, I remain on the cranky side of impressed.  I think the DNA matching process needs a little fine-tuning, and certainly a few more key breed profiles.  Like the Chihuahua, which I believe is the source of Ginger's hypnotic love crumb eyes.  And the Dachshund, which I hold responsible for the hunchback poop stance:

And with respect to the Lancashire Heeler.... there's still that niggling doubt that there just aren't too many representatives of the obscure UK heeling breeds running around the mean streets of San Pedro, whence the little ninja was rescued.  But, the silhouette is definitely similar.  And, as Dave points out, it only takes one...

Comments

[TasterSpoon]

Hm. Did the DNA people ask for a picture? Maybe it's a scam. Like this bartender who confessed he didn't know how to make a Long Island Iced Tea - he just put a bunch of stuff in there until it was kind of brown. Apparently he never got any complaints. Your K-9 23andMe just throws a bunch of stuff into the report, like "Make it a grab bag! They'll never know! Something big, something small, something dark, something blonde... Put something exotic in there so they feel like they've got their money's worth!"

Or like palm readers, and they're like, "I'm seeing Lancashire Heeler...yes, you say? Yes, definitely...and some...german sheph-..no, no, I meant german short haired pointer, yes, that's it, the color isn't right, oh, probably because it's got some Golden...too big? some Cocker Spaniel...yes.... Let me know what you think then stay in touch with the database so I can 'refine your results.'"

Are you gardening from scratch, or is that photo from last year?