We've considered it. Our dog is very odd looking. While the vet was filling out her paperwork, he jokingly said he was going to record her breed as "miniature Irish wolfhound". She really does look like a 40 pound Irish wolfhound.

I read up on the tests about five years ago and they didn't get great reviews for accuracy but they may have improved over the years.

My3dogs, I remember when you got Ginger! We are also curious about our 2 rescues. One is a small terrier mix and the other a med/large shepherd mix.

Funny thing, although I found them through different rescue groups, three years apart, they were both processed through the same dog shelter in LA. There are several shelters, so it is interesting that the dogs' histories intersect at some point.

My daughter did DNA testing on her dog and used the kit recommended by the shelter. Josie was taken out of a hoarding situation in West Virginia, one of only 4 dogs out of 40 to be sent to the shelter. The DNA test revealed some interesting results: English Foxhound and a tiny part Brittany. We all adore her!

Oh, Bonnie, she is SO pretty! My late Dad got his first Brittany when I was 5. Dad always trained his Brits to hunt, but they are wonderful family dogs. They got Christmas presents, just like my 2 sisters and me, and they all opened them themselves. Dad had one at a time, but I got one, fell in love with another, and so on. They've all been wonderful, but the rescues seem 'extra grateful' to have a loving home. I will always have some in my life, and feel so blessed that they are here for ME.

My sister did wisdom panel and I think she was satisfied with the results. It's fun, maybe much like human DNA testing it is best regarded as a novelty rather than hundred percent scientific. If I had a couple extra bucks I would definitely do it for any mutts in my life just for fun.

my sister's rescue sled dog looks at least 50% German Shepherd so it was a surprise to them that malamute came out so high, but she is a big, high-energy, hard-working girl. As a puppy she was so energetic that she was almost impossible to live with and you can see that reflected in all the working breeds in her heritage. Even now she gives off a very playful energy that makes a lot of people assume she is a puppy although she is six years old.

Chispa - you know the rules - if you mention them, we need to see pics of your dogs!

After putting our almost 15 year old Blue Heeler/Chow mix Cajun down 1/25 we figured it would a long time before we'd want another dog. But after 3 months our hearts were healed enough to drive up to TN and adopt a little girl I found on Petfinder. We'd love to know what Daisy Mae is and the 'best guess' by the shelter owner seems off to us - I don't see Spitz in this girl at all - do you? this was the day we adopted her and i had her on a table giving her a good brushing - she's 11 months and we've been able to get a little more meat on her since this was taken. I for sure want to do a DNA test at some point and it's good to have this feedback on different tests.

Well, since I just learned spitz is not a breed, but rather a term used to describe a group of dogs that share certain characteristics, then I'd say your Daisy Mae is definitely part spitz/spitz-like/spitzy!

From https://mom.me/pets/18016-10-spitz-dog-breeds/:

"You may have heard of a "spitz" dog before, but what does "spitz" mean? It's not a breed, and it's not a group the way organizations like the American Kennel Club or Westminster Kennel Club recognize groups. "Spitz" is a dog type describing several breeds that share loosely common ancestry and traits. Physically, spitz dogs typically have thick and dense fur, pointed ears and muzzles, and puffy tails that curl up and over their rears. They descend from ancient breeds that came from Arctic regions, although today's spitz dogs were developed all over the world. Read on to learn the histories behind 10 of the most popular spitz dog breeds."

*Spoiler alert!

Siberian Huskies and Chow Chows are spitz breeds. Who knew? Not this Labrador retriever, that's for sure!

We have two rescues and we decided to have our first done. Doogie is his name and the vet thought he was "terrier". Husband thought he was all rat terrier. So it was with much surprise that we found out that he was 50% pure bred Chihuahua and his other half is such a mix up that they couldn't determine specific breeds but rather groups (one of which was terrier, and another was working). We were surprised, the vet was surprised and he doesn't really look like a chihuahua (but he DOES have some chihuahua traits now that I know). Oh, we did Wisdom Panel and I was pleased -- I got it I think for around $50 because there was a deal.

With that long neck, she appears to look like a small Canaan.Does her tail curl ?

Thanks Sammy - that's pretty interesting about the spitz group and makes me want to test her even more! I read about each one and honestly have no idea where she'd fit.

4boys2 - her tail is not curled over her back. Most of the time it's held slightly down, not horizontal, but she tucks it between her legs a lot and it's quite long.

Our Cajun may have had more spitz than we knew - his tongue was full black/purple like a Chow but perhaps there was more in his bloodline. As a young dog his tail was curled up and over his back but after about age 11 or 12 it lost the curl.

DLM, Daisy Mae is a cutie, whatever breed(s) she might be! Cajun was beautiful too and lived a long happy life with you.

I was sure I didn't want a second dog, specially a high energy large dog, but when I saw her I had to give her a home. I actually just sent her away for a 2 week training. She is a great dog indoors, but has some high drive behaviors when outside, that I couldn't fix by myself. We'll all be involved with the training after the trainer does the initial work.

My sister always thought her dog was some sort of husky-malamute and German shepherd mix, but her ears were floppy so that was always perplexing. When she got the DNA back her dominant breed was Rhodesian Ridgeback. No one saw that coming. So that really explained her ears and her general head shape. She was also German Shepherd and something else, but I don't think she was any type of husky or malamute! She was a pretty big dog and was really strong.

She had to have one eye removed due to a tumor, but she was great after that and lived to be about 14.

DLM, I can see the 'Spitz' in your beautiful girl. Look at this link which shows the 'top 5 Spitz dogs' and check out the Nordic Spitz. Top 5 Spitz dogs

Oh, wow M3D - I can totally see that now - thank you! Maybe she'll even fill out a bit - right now she's like a little fawn, all legs!

A friend used Wisdom Panel 4.0 and was happy with the report that they send.

My3dogs, I could just kiss that sweet face. I loved her from the minute you got her, sweetness overload! Of course they are all beautiful!!!!

Thanks, Cam! She IS very kissable, and loves to give kisses and cuddle. She had had a litter of pups 6 weeks before her owners brought her to a shelter.

She's a mixed breed, and they bred her with who knows what, and they were getting rid of her planning to SELL the pups. A few weeks later, they were back with 5 of the pups, and they were keeping one. I found this out as I was told she came from a shelter in WI, and I did some detective work. I called the shelter and spoke to the woman there who thought she was so sweet that she brought her home to her house each night, so she wouldn't have to sleep in the shelter.

Normally the rescue dogs that I transport come with a collar and their papers. This woman from the shelter sent treats, several toys, one being a stuffed dog that was bigger than Ginger, a dog bed with her name on it, a sweater, a pink leash, and a big fleece throw that I use to this day! The woman even emailed me and asked if she could put me in touch with a friend of hers who had adopted one of her pups! YES!!! Here are 2 pics the shelter sent me of some of her babies. Ginger has lots of black spots on her tummy; just on the skin and not on the hair, plus that long black hair on her ears. She LOVES tummy rubs, and can flip over on her back asking for some quicker than you can blink. :-)

What is amazing is that the friend in WI who adopted one of the pups also has a Brittany! I'll have to check my other computer to see if her emails and a pic of her dogs is on that one.

My3dogs, I always enjoy your pictures and your sharing of dog stories! Ginger is precious and aren't her pups the cutest? Mixed breeds can be the best combination of their parents. My heart will always be with spaniels, first Springer's and now Cavaliers--always rescue from the New England Chapter. I have fond memories of transporting, but am unable to do it in my current job. Brits are such a smart breed and we attribute much of Josie's keen intelligence to that part of her! I enjoyed the story about your dad and his Brittany's. The loyalty to the breed is in your genes!

My Aurora is amongst the Sptiz dogs. She's definitely got border collie, but looks like an American Eskimo dog-she's got long white hair, but it's slightly curly like the BC and a fluffy curly tail, with black button nose, black lips and eyeliner too. DH says she's part coyote because she's so wiley.

Max is a yellow lab mixed with Chow Chow. He's got that thick ruff, rounded paws and signature black tongue-plus he's more red than yellow. But he's a gentle giant!

We've been tempted to do the doggie DNA but we can see their breeds (both of them are rescues, btw) and frankly, it doesn't matter-we love them even if they were part jack rabbit!

bonnie_ann, you are correct - once the spaniels get into your heart, it's just impossible not love them. I like any breed of dog, but having grown up with Brits (who we called our brothers!) they are very special. I look at PetFinder WAY too often. Ginger was to be my first transport for New England Brittany Rescue, and at the last minute, I got a call asking if I could babysit her for a few days. Once she came in the door and happily greeted the 3 Brits I had then, I couldn't give her up. My BIL said that I did well on the transporting, but failed on the delivery!

Failure! But what a happy ending for Ginger and you. I failed at fostering Springers, by asking to adopt our late Lady Sara after a month of fostering. She was such a gracious dame! When we lost her, I attempted another foster but the dog was so crazy due to abuse, that he had to be euthanized-sad story. Then I was so angry that Springer Rescue would put me in a dangerous situation with the crazy dog, that my allegiance went to Cavalier Rescue. I did transfers of Springers without any problems because I had the dog for only a two hour leg of a trip through New England, and then handed the dog off in a designated "meet and greet" transfer area. It was the "safe" way to ensure that the dogs got to the foster home, and were not abducted by the transporter! I met so many nice people in that group.

DLM2000 - First off, our dog is also a "Daisy Mae". We had an American Eskimo Spitz for 16 years. Now they mostly call them American Eskimo Dogs but back then they used Spitz on the end of that. Yes, I see Spitz in your dog. The eyes are almost identical. Head shape, muzzle, ears, all very close. The body shape is similar although it's hard to tell with a Spitz because of all of their fur. But when we gave our dog a bath, he shrunk down to what your dog looks like.

Here are a few pictures. My son is three years old in the pictures so he's not that big. The other pictures with our Chocolate Lab lets you see more of a close up of his face, although at a bad angle.

Alex was a great dog! A great protector of our son. He was also very healthy right up until the last six months or so. I miss him!

thanks pattyxlynn - it does seem our Daisy has some Spitz but the rest is a mystery for now. She seems to have some herding tendencies, likes to 'herd' my car when I come home which scares the bleep out of me!!! Or maybe she's just glad to see me and trying to get in, who knows. Funny about your Daisy Mae name... the shelter called our girl Bella which I didn't want because I know so many Bella dogs and now the Daisy dogs in our area are coming out of the woodwork - figures!

DLM, in my neighborhood we have lots of Bellas too and one Daisy!

I was just talking to a lady yesterday that had her dog tested. They knew what the mother dog was, a Mastiff mix. The dog had 10 puppies and they all looked different from each other. Her dog was marked like a German Shepherd with the brown body and a black saddle. His face looked very much like a Ridgeback. Well the DNA tests came back that the majority was a Sheep dog that I didn't recognize the name but it looks pretty much just like a Great Pyrenees. She said that there was a loose dog in their area that looked like that so they now know that dog was in fact the father dog. Then it gave them a 25% mix breed. The results were so off from what the dog turned out to look like from his mixture. They try and guess the dog breeds at the rescues, after hearing those results, I wouldn't begin to guess a mixture's actual breeds. Now I'd like to have my dog tested. It would be interesting if she is anything that she looks like she is.

I forgot, there was Cane Corso in the mix too.

Arkansa girl, good point about some mix breeds not looking anything like their actual DNA would suggest. I think some shelters now do basic DNA testing to avoid exactly that situation. The companies that makes the tests all seem to offer bulk discounts for shelter/rescue organizations. A good example they gave was labeling a dog as a pitbull mix when the dog had no pitbull DNA at all ... in some towns/areas that could be the difference between the dog being adopted or euthanized.