The Labrador retriever is a cute and popular dog breed that can be kept at home. If you're not sure if your dog is purebred, there are several ways to check. In addition to a physical exam, you can also perform a professional DNA test on your dog to check its genetic makeup. If you want to be more certain about the dog's background, you can use the DNA of the mother to check the quality of the breed based on the pup's pedigree.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking the Dog's Physical Traits
Step 1. Pet the dog to check for the waterproofing properties of his coat
Run your hand over the puppy's fur and stroke its back. Does the coat feel short and thick? If not, it's most likely not a purebred Labrador.
Since the Labrador was originally bred as a water dog, its coat is water resistant
Step 2. Check the puppy to make sure the tail is thick and strong
Examine the top of the puppy's bottom for the tail. Does the tail feel thick and look like an beaver's tail? Look closely to see if the tail looks thick at the base and turns thinner towards the end. If the dog's tail appears thin and curled, it's likely not a purebred Labrador.
Keep in mind that a puppy's tail will get bigger and thicker as it ages
Step 3. Notice the rigid shape of the head with a medium-sized muzzle
Examine the shape of the dog's skull and note the area of the forehead that drops toward the muzzle. Does the dog's head look like a triangle or have a pointed muzzle? If so, chances are the dog is not a purebred Labrador.
The physical characteristics of a puppy are not as obvious as an adult Labrador. When observing the dog, look for pictures of real Labrador dogs to compare them accurately
Step 4. Notice if the dog has black, brown, or gold fur
Check to make sure the puppies (and other puppies in the same pack, if any) don't have any colored patterns in their coat, such as a primary color mixed with other colors or a color with white streaks. The puppy's coat should be a solid color, such as black, dark brown, or golden yellow. If the puppy has additional colors, it is likely that he is of mixed breed.
Do you know?
Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) considers the Silver Labrador to be purebred, there are many groups who believe that the breed is a mixed breed of Weimaraner dog.
Step 5. Check if the dog's eyes are brown or dark red
Observe the dog's eyes to check the color. If the dog is a yellow or black Labrador, check for brown eyes. Meanwhile, brown Labrador usually has brown or dark red eyes.
In the past, some purebred Labrador dogs had greenish-yellow eyes
Step 6. Look for a dog with muscular, average-sized legs
Watch your dog's bottom to see if he has thick, muscle-lined legs. Check the length of the leg; Although Labrador has thicker legs than Dachshunds, it should be shorter than Husky.
When examining a puppy's paws, compare their size with dogs of different breeds. Young dog legs are usually shorter than adult Labrador's legs
Method 2 of 3: Performing a DNA Test
Step 1. Wipe the inside of the dog's mouth to get a DNA sample
Purchase a dog genetic test kit that usually includes a special testing kit. Use the included swab to sample your dog's saliva from the cells on the inside of his cheek, depending on the instructions in the kit. Check the instructions on the DNA test kit to see if anything else needs to be prepared before sending the sample.
Dog DNA testing kits can be purchased online. This tool is usually sold at a price of IDR 700,000 to IDR 2,000,000, depending on the details of the test results. Some DNA tests focus on genetic markers, while less expensive tests focus on breed varieties of dogs
Tip:
Do not allow dogs to share food or play rough with other dogs as this can reduce the accuracy of the dog's saliva samples.
Step 2. Send the sample to a professional analysis company
Submit a saliva sample according to the instructions provided by the selling company. Seal the envelope or package carefully so that the sample can be transported safely to the laboratory.
If you're confused about the steps or the packaging process, feel free to call or email an analysis company for help
Step 3. Wait for the test results for 6 weeks
Don't expect test results to be received in a day – or even a week. Be prepared to wait up to a month and a half for laboratory analysis results. If you don't get your test results within a few months, contact the laboratory that examined your sample.
Step 4. Read the percentages listed in the report to determine the breed of the dog
In general, test results will be sorted by dog breed, followed by the percentage. However, this procedure may vary by company. If the test results show a very high percentage of the Labrador gene, your dog is most likely a purebred!
- Almost all DNA tests have an accuracy of up to 95%. If the test results are unsatisfactory, you will most likely get similar results even if you do additional DNA testing.
- Mixed breeds have a variety of genes registered in small percentages (e.g., 25% Border Collie, 37.5% Basenji, 12.5% German Shepherd, etc.).
Method 3 of 3: Analyzing the Mother Dog
Step 1. Prepare a DNA sample from the mother puppy
Ask the breeder or shelter staff to find the dog's parents, either the mother or the father. If possible, use a cotton swab to collect saliva samples from one or both parents. Store the sample safely so that it can be sent to a professional company.
- Most DNA kits provide a special swab for collecting saliva samples.
- Even if you can't get samples from both parents, one sample is enough to estimate the dog's lineage.
Tip:
Often, the mother dog is nowhere to be found or is dead. If this happens, do a DNA test on the puppy.
Step 2. Send the sample to a company that specializes in dog breed analysis
Pack samples according to laboratory instructions. Seal the envelope or package carefully to secure the sample and store it safely during transit.
- If you have any questions regarding this process, feel free to contact the laboratory that processes DNA samples.
- You will have to wait a few weeks before receiving the results of the dog breed analysis.
Step 3. Check the analysis results and pay attention to codes like “CH”
After receiving the results of the breed analysis in the mail, pay attention to codes that indicate a dog's talent by breed, such as “CH” (Confirmation Champion), “FC” (Field Champion), or “MACH” (Master Agility Champion). In addition, check the results of the analysis for information about the dog's medical history as some dogs are prone to certain diseases or medical conditions.
- Confirmation champion means that the puppy looks very much like another Labrador.
- Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about the results of the dog analysis.
Step 4. Purchase a ancestry certificate from the American Kennel Club
If your dog is a member of the American Kennel Club, you can search the database for information and purchase a certificate to confirm this. You can also register your dog with the American Kennel Club after obtaining proof of purebred.
- The cost of heredity analysis varies greatly by breed. For example, analysis of 3 generations of offspring is priced at Rp. 250,000, while the cost of analysis of 4 generations is Rp. 340,000. As for the cost of analysis of offspring for 3 generations specifically for exports to take part in overseas contests, it is Rp. 690,000.
- When buying a puppy, be sure to ask about the pedigree and ancestry history of both parents.
