Racine & Me: Dog Breed Labeling and DNA Testing with Racine Campus of WHS

RACINE, WI (CBS 58) -- Breed Labeling and Dog DNA Tests It's been almost 10 years since WHS stopped assigning breed labels to dogs on our website and in our shelters, and we still get a lot of questions about it! It is correct that we do not assign breeds to the dogs in our care. It all comes down to this startling fact: less than 1% of a dog’s DNA determines the way they look. That’s it! And we know that looks don’t equal behavior. When we did assign a breed, it was a guess. Sometimes we were right, but often we were wrong. And with DNA test kits being so popular, we are surprised all the time when adopters send us their pup’s results. Because a “breed” is often inaccurate, especially since we rarely know a dog’s parents, expectations are often wrong. Instead of setting expectations for the animal around their looks, removing the breed label allows us to better emphasize individual dogs’ unique personalities, attributes, and needs. When a label is inaccurately applied, breed expectations can feel misleading and frustrating for adopters. That’s why we focus on the information we do know. During adoption counseling, we talk about the dog’s personality. What is their energy level? Do they prefer treats or toys for motivation? Are they quick to learn tricks? How confident are they in new situations? Do they like other dogs/cats/children?

Of course, sometimes we can plainly see a Great Dane or Chihuahua, but most shelters are packed full of wonderful "mystery mutts." We truly encourage adopters to think outside the breed box when they're ready for a new companion. You can see all the wonderful animals available for adoption on our website wihumane.org/adopt.