Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I did the Embark DNA test on Elly and one of the more amusing results I got was her 'Wolfiness' score.
From the Embark Website:
Most dogs have wolfiness scores of 1% or less, although we occasionally find populations and breeds with higher scores and even some especially unique individuals with scores of 5% or more.
Your dog’s Wolfiness Score is not a measure of recent dog-wolf hybridization (the breed mix analysis report would tell you if your dog has any recent wolf ancestry). Instead, the wolfiness score is based on the number of wolf genetic markers your dog has in our unique wolfiness marker panel.
...wolfiness scores below 10 are almost always due to ancient wolf genes that have survived many generations to be carried in your dog. These may date back to the original domestication event 15,000 years ago or to more recent dog-wolf matings only a few thousand years ago, but either way they are bits of a wild past that survive in your dog!
I'm curious to see what other people got on this score so please share!
BTW- I doubted Elly was a Puggle but that is what the rescue told me. I'll be writing a blog post on her results...as well as changing the title of the blog!
Karen and Elly the TriPugMutt
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Meg got 0.8%, which is classed as medium.
But that is a seriously tantalising post! How long are we supposed to wait???? Come on, spill the beans!
PS Meg's last blog post was all about her Embark results (and Elsie's, which were very surprising indeed...)
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Gator was 0.6% - low.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Bump. Karen?
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Sorry- I was waiting for a return email from Embark. I had some questions on the Wolfiness score and some other results. And I do have the 'reveal' blog post started but then got distracted with some other shiny objects 
.
So... ready? Elly's Wolfiness score was 5.4%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who, meeee?????
I emailed Embark and asked if her score was so high because of the pug in her since pugs are an ancient breed. Here is their answer:
Most dogs have wolfiness scores of 1% or less, although we occasionally find populations and breeds with higher scores and even some especially unique individuals with scores of 5% or more (like Elly as you mentioned). Wolfiness scores below 10 are almost always due to ancient wolf genes that have survived many generations to be carried in your dog, rather then wolf-dog hybrids. I know it seems odd for her breed combination, but the most wolfy dog we have tested to date is a Pomeranian. Chihuahuas tend to have high wolfiness scores as well.
The most wolfy dog is a Pomeranian? Really?
I need to find a way to bring out Elly's inner wolf so she can be a little more brave
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
😂 🐺 😂 🐺
Elly is a wolf! That is amazing! A wolf in a little pug-mutt's clothing...
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
...speechless.....
BTW....ADORABLE PICTURE!! 🙂
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So all of you had pretty good experiences with this Embark-test?
I had Manni's DNA tested quite a few years ago (though not through Embark, need to check if they have that over here, but still with a "reputable company")
just to remind you of Manni's dashing looks:
The result I got back was:
-Border Terrier
-Pug
-Chihuahua
-Yorkshire Terrier
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
So back then I put it down to "ok, apparently they're just out to make money and it has nothing to do with science"
So: is it worth repeating??
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
The Embark test is more expensive, and it takes longer to receive results, but it is affiliated with Cornell University, which is building a doggy DNA database. In addition to breed, they test for a number of genetic markers for disease. If your dog has a marker, they also provide guidance on what to look for, preventative steps, and how to talk to your vet. You also have the ability to opt in to do research surveys about your dog over time. Customer service is also great, if you have a question about your results. So, fun, and for me, important to think that we are contributing to the study of genetic based disease in dogs.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
ok, interesting! thanks! I guess I'll look into that and see if they test on ex-Greek Germans...
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Well who'da thought little Miss Elly would get such a high wolfiness score? Unique pretty much sums her up for sure 😀😀. Even her picture is adorably unique lol.
MANNI!!! Nah, no way you are any of those pups!!! Chihuahua????
Hope you do the Embark program. Would love to see the comparison!
Precious pocture Manni all relaxed and stretched out in all his glory 🙂
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I had also done a previous DNA test that was cheaper and faster but far I got far less information. While the two major breeds reported were similar the cheaper test did not provide percentages and the rest of the 'mix' they estimated were breeds that made no sense at all.
Embark is expensive (compared to the others) but I think it is worth it. They look at something like 160 genetic diseases and give lots of information on breeds and percentages as well as expected coat type and color, size of the dog, and more. And it's not static, once you get your results they will continue to update your information as they build their data base.
And as far as customer service- I've emailed Embark twice with questions about Elly's results and have got answers from one of their staff vets within 2 days.
So Manni has Pug and Chihuahua? He and Elly must be related!
Love Manni's picture, Elly says oooo la la!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Elly! So you liked Manni's tinder profile? 😊 You'd make a gorgeous couple! Pug and Chihuahua is very obvious in him isn't it??
So I ordered the test... no impulse control, me. I just couldn't resist. The only thing that's kind of worrying is the long time you have to wait. 2 months is a long time in Manni's osteo-world...
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
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