New updates to Optimal Selection™!

Over 50 new tests were added to the Optimal Selection™ panel on June 28, 2023. For the complete list of tests check here, and for the tests available for your breed check here. Samples that were reported after March 22, 2023 will automatically be updated with the additional tests. Older samples were run on older technology so a new sample would be needed in order to gain results for the newly added tests. 

 

Why does DCM 1-4 only report if the dog is a Dobermann Pinscher?

On Nov 2nd, 2023 we added 4 important tests for the Dobermann Pinscher to our canine breeder products. DCM 1, DCM 2, DCM 3, and DCM 4. For more information about these tests, please see our blog post.  At this time we have made the decision to report DCM 1-4 only if the dog is of Dobermann Pinscher ancestry. The reason for this is that while these markers may show up in other breeds, the affect on DCM risk has only been established in the Dobermann Pinscher at this time.

 

Why can I no longer edit my dog's name and gender?

While we understand this will be an inconvenience to some, in order to maintain the integrity of the report and its contents, we need to put a level of security behind the edibility of the name/gender. If you need to make a change to the name or gender please reach out to our team at breeder@wisdompanel.com with the requested change and any supporting documentation you may have so that we may verify the information and make the change on your behalf. 

 

How old must my puppy be to receive an Optimal Selection™ test?    

DNA testing can be performed on a dog of any age, and Optimal Selection™ results will not change with age. Blood samples may be taken from puppies as soon as they are large enough for a veterinarian to obtain 1-2 mLs of blood (less than one teaspoonful) safely. Swab samples can also be taken from young puppies, but it’s best to wait until the puppy is weaned (to prevent contamination from the dam’s milk or skin) or nursing infrequently enough that a cheek sample may be taken three hours after last nursing or food.

 

Will my dog’s Optimal Selection™ test results change as they get older?

No. Although mutations can occur within individual cells throughout life, a dog’s DNA does not change with age. Some specific tests may be added or removed as technology changes.

 

Will Wisdom Panel certify untested puppies classified as clear by parentage?

No. We recommend always testing the dogs that will be bred. It is best to rely on "Clear by parentage" for pets or dogs that won't be bred.

 

If I submit a sample now and a new test becomes available in the future, will you be able to use the same sample to update my results?

No. A new sample will be needed in the event you wish to update results on a previously tested dog, as all new genotyping will need to be performed.

 

What’s the difference between a linked marker test and a direct mutation test?

Linked marker tests identify a gene or variant by a “genetic fingerprint” that is almost always associated with the mutation. On the other hand, direct mutation tests detect the presence or absence of the exact mutation that results in a particular disorder or trait. Both types of testing approaches provide information about the genetic status of an individual animal with high reliability.

 

How do I air dry the swabs without contaminating them?

The swab will only become contaminated if it comes into contact with other dogs, people, or dirty surfaces. So, you should dry the swab with the bristles in the air (not touching any surface). Both swabs should be air-dried for at least five minutes and then reinserted into the protective 

sleeve, ensuring the bristles are completely covered. (Very important: do not reseal the sleeve, as this can promote bacteria/fungus growth.) Ship the samples at your earliest convenience, and rest assured that they will not be affected by extremes in temperature.

 

I have a deceased dog. Can I still test?

Yes, we accept purified archived DNA and frozen semen for deceased dogs. (A minimum of 50 microliters is required for semen samples, so used semen straws do not provide adequate DNA.) Special shipping requirements and charges apply for non-traditional samples, and no refunds are provided in the event of sample failure. Please contact our customer service team for details at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

What type of samples do you accept? How much of the sample is needed?

In the absence of cheek swabs, a variety of samples types may be used—including:

• 1-2 mL fresh, whole (unclotted) blood in an EDTA-top tube
• 1-2 mL frozen blood, 2 bristle (cytology) swabs
• Semen (minimum 50 microliters, leftover from used semen straw does not provide adequate DNA)
• Tissue (frozen, not fixed, approximately sugar cube size)

Special shipping requirements and charges apply for non-traditional samples, and no refunds are provided in the event of sample failure. Please contact our customer service team for details at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

Do you ship to Canada?

Yes! Optimal Selection™ Canine is available to all Canadian customers (except those in the province of Quebec, due to packaging requirements). Canadian kits ship via UPS to reduce customs delays. Shipping is $15 USD for the first kit and $5 USD for each additional kit per order. All prices are listed in USD but converted to CAD upon payment.

How long does it take to get my results?

Most Optimal Selection™ results arrive around 2-3 weeks after our lab receives your dog's DNA sample. That said, extended times sometimes occur due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g., volume at the lab, holidays, illnesses, natural disasters). You'll get an email notification when your results are ready. Please note—results are digital and available in your online account only. No physical report will be mailed, but you may download a printable technical report from your account.

Where do I find the sample ID number?

The sample ID is located on the short side of your Optimal Selection™ kit.

On older versions of the kit, it may be located elsewhere. If you have a legacy kit, please contact customer service at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

How do I activate my dog’s sample?

If this is your first kit, simply go to https://optimal-selection.com/ , select “Activate” in the upper right, and follow the prompts. If you already have an account for any test (Optimal Selection™ Dog or Cat, MyDogDNA, MyCatDNA, or Wisdom Panel™ tests), select “Sign In” and, once in your account, select “Testing a new family member.” After you activate your kit, you’ll be able to track your sample and get updates throughout the test analysis process.

I forgot to activate my kit. What do I do now?

We may be able to help. Please contact our customer care team at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

How do I get a copy of my dog’s Technical Report if my name is not on the account?

We have a strict privacy policy that requires written consent from the pet owner (assigned during kit activation) before we may share any information about a specific test with someone who is not on the account. For this reason, reports are emailed only to the email address on file, and we can’t accept changes to account information unless requested by the listed owner.

Do weather or temperature extremes affect the quality of the swab samples in transit?

Weather is unlikely to impact sample quality. Cheek cell samples are a very stable way to collect DNA for testing, and they can withstand normal ambient temperature changes.

I mailed my test a week ago, and you haven't received it yet. Should I worry?

Not to worry! Transit times vary throughout the year due to several factors (e.g., holidays, weather, natural disasters) and may take anywhere from 5-10 business days.  When samples arrive at our lab, we check them in individually to avoid contamination or mix-ups. Once we begin processing your sample, the status will change to "Sample Received," and you will be alerted via email. If you would like to track your sample while it's in transit to our lab, please note the USPS tracking number on your kit’s prepaid shipping label before putting it in the mail.

How do I monitor processing of my sample?

You can track the progress of your sample online by signing into your account.

I didn't see the warning about waiting two hours after eating and took my dog's sample right after they ate dinner. Is it ruined?

We try to avoid having food particles on the swabs, as they may encourage bacterial growth in transit. Your sample is likely fine. But if there are obvious food particles on the swab or if you have concerns, please reach out to our customer service department at breeder@wisdompanel.com

When I track my sample, it says "Delivered" by USPS, but the Test Status Checker doesn't say that you've received it yet. Why?

The USPS tracking will show when the package gets delivered to the post office in Lincoln, NE. From there, the kits travel via courier to the lab on the next business day. Each kit is then checked in individually to avoid any risk of contamination. For these reasons, there will sometimes be a delay of a few days between delivery and sample processing. Rest assured, this additional time has not been found to affect sample quality at all.

What breeds can be tested on Optimal Selection™?

All dog breeds can be tested on Optimal Selection™ and receive disorder, trait, and diversity results. If there are known disorders for the breed, they will be highlighted in the report. Diversity information specific to your dog’s breed will be provided once we’ve tested enough dogs of the particular breed. Until then, their diversity  score will be relative to all purebreds in our database.

When was Optimal Selection™ Canine first launched?

The first Wisdom Health (formerly Mars Veterinary) canine breeder DNA test launched in 2010 under the name Optimal Selection™. It was a blood-based test designed to determine which matings would produce maximum genetic diversity in the offspring (similar to breeding for low Coefficient of Inbreeding [COI]). In 2015, Wisdom Health partnered with Genoscoper Laboratories and began also offering an extensive genetic disease and trait testing panel.

My dog’s breed is not listed in the dropdown options during kit activation. How can I get the breed added?

You are welcome to select “Other breed” and enter the name. You may also email our customer service team at breeder@wisdompanel.com to nominate your breed for addition. (We update our breed list every 6-12 months.) In your email, please provide some background information on your breed. If the breed is rare, the Wisdom Panel team may be able to support early adoption of health testing in your breed.

 

What is Protein Losing Nephropathy NPHS1 gene variant's mode of inheritance?

In short, the development of protein losing nephropathy is complex and additional research is needed to understand the various factors involved. 

 

Although it is not fully conclusive, scientific evidence suggests the PLN NPHS1 gene variant has a complex mode of inheritance which is thought to most closely follow an autosomal recessive pattern with partial penetrance, making dogs with one copy at some level of an increased risk and dogs with two copies at a higher risk of being diagnosed with this condition during their lifetime. And, while there is scientific evidence to suggest one copy of the PLN variant may increase the risk of a dog developing this condition, the risk level has not been fully determined. This is because PLN has a complex background and several different genes and environmental factors are likely to contribute to the onset of symptoms. 

 

Therefore, the PLN NPHS1 variant’s mode of inheritance will report as autosomal recessive within Optimal Selection results. However, the disorder page content will clearly reflect the complex nature involved in the development of this condition regarding dogs who inherit 1 or 2 copies of this particular gene variant. 

 

Do you detect Dermatomyositis (DMS), in Collie and Shetland Sheepdog?

The three separate variants, A, B, and C, in combination, influence the risk of developing DMS in Collies and Shelties. Optimal Selection tests include the A and B variants, which are key for determining risk. Research has shown that 97% of clinically affected Shelties and Collies have at least one copy of variant A (also known as A locus or PAN2), and 88% of affected Shelties and 39% of affected Collies have at least one copy of variant B (also known as B locus or MAP3K7CL).

Why doesn’t the panel include the C locus?

While risk variant C does have an influence on DMS risk, the main drivers of risk are the A and B variants. As defined by the original research, a dog with two copies of the risk variant C can be found in all risk categories, whereas dogs with two copies of risk variants A and B are considered high risk. In addition, risk variant C (also known as C locus or variant DLA-DRB1*002:01) is extremely common in Collies and present in a high proportion of Shelties. That means excluding carriers of C from breeding could be detrimental to the gene pool. 

Furthermore, dog leukocyte antigen, or DLA, encodes genes included in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which is critical in the immune response system of dogs. As the role of specific DLA complexes is poorly understood, it is worthwhile to view them as likely having both unknown benefits and risks depending on the situation. And in general, DLA diversity is thought to benefit the immune response. 

Note that this test is only found on MyDogDNA and Optimal Selection panels and is only reported to dogs with Collie and/or Shetland Sheepdog ancestry indicated. 

Why do you offer tests pre-publication?

Bringing research to publication can take several years depending on the nature of the disorder or gene variant under study. The Wisdom Panel team partners with many veterinary research groups to accelerate research on behalf of dogs. In cases where the pre-publication data strongly suggest association with a disorder or trait—or when a partnering breed group indicates high interest in a genetic test (and understands potential limitations)—we may choose to provide pre-publication testing information early to breeders to inform breeding decisions. When we do this, we provide as much information as we can about the gene variant. We also share what we do not know so that the result’s significance may be interpreted properly. We encourage our research partners to publish their findings—and we do the same ourselves—so that the breeder and research communities can benefit.

I want to transfer my results to another breeder. When will this feature be restored?

Currently, we have no plans to restore this feature but are considering it for future development. For the time being, you can use the share functionality to share the results with the new owner. 

Do you test for cocoa (formerly “untestable chocolate”) in French Bulldogs?

Cocoa was added to the panel in June 2023. 

Do you test for chondrodystrophy (CDDY) with intervertebral disc disease  (IVDD) risk?

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) risk is caused by a retrogene insertion on chromosome 12 (CFA12-FGF4RG). This is not to be confused with breed-defining chondrodysplasia, which—though caused by the same retrogene insertion on chromosome 18—is not associated with increased risk of IVDD. We have added the CDDY/IVDD test in June 2023. 

 

Why did you pause offering testing for Progressive Retinal Atrophy Discovered in the Miniature Dachshund (rcd4/cord1-PRA)?

Wisdom Panel’s team of scientists contributed to the discovery of both the genetic variant in RPGRIP1—which has been referred to as the primary risk gene for crd4—and a gene variant in MAP9—which has been shown to cause an early-onset form of the disorder in Dachshunds when present in combination with RPGRIP1. For unknown reasons, dogs with two copies of the risk variant in RPGRIP1 do not always develop abnormal vision. And recent research suggests at least one more gene variant (currently called L3) likely contributes to disease development risk. Based on this research, and to provide the most informative result for breeders, we decided to halt reporting of this disorder; however we were happy to bring it back in April of 2023.

 

Why do you no longer offer testing for primary hereditary cataract (PHC, HSF4-2) in Australian shepherd dogs and Miniature American Shepherds?

Wisdom Panel is committed to providing trustworthy results to breeders. Due to recent updates to our testing process—and because this particular genetic variant is challenging to detect using Optimal Selection™ technology—testing is only available from our a la carte breeder test website as a kitless test (owner supplies the swabs). This test is not available as part of the Optimal Selection™ testing panel. So, separate payment and swab submission is required. Please see the Help section on the ordering site for guidance on best swab types to use.

Why do you no longer offer testing for Canine Cyclic Neutropenia (Cyclic Hematopoiesis, Grey Collie Syndrome, CN)? 

To ensure we’re providing the most trustworthy results to breeders, we have temporarily paused reporting on this disorder until an updated reporting process has been fully validated.

Why do you no longer offer testing for Glycogen Storage Disease Type II ( Pompe's Disease, GSD II) in the Finnish Lapphund, Swedish Lapphund, and Lapponian Herder? 

To ensure we’re providing the most trustworthy results to breeders, we have temporarily paused reporting on this disorder until an updated reporting process has been fully validated.

Why do you no longer offer testing for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, (POAG) in the Beagle?

To ensure we’re providing the most trustworthy results to breeders, we have temporarily paused reporting on this disorder until an updated reporting process has been fully validated.

Why do you no longer offer testing for Congenital Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and Ichthyosiform Dermatosis (CKCSID) in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Wisdom Panel is committed to providing trustworthy results to breeders. Due to recent updates to our testing process—and because this particular genetic variant is challenging to test for using Optimal Selection™ technology—we have chosen to pause reporting on this disorder until an alternative testing protocol can be offered.

Why do you no longer offer testing for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 10, (NCL10) of the American Bulldogs?

To ensure we’re providing the most trustworthy results to breeders, we have temporarily paused reporting on this disorder until an updated reporting process has been fully validated.

Why have the known disorders for my dog’s breed changed?

New research constantly reveals new genetic discoveries associated with disease predisposition among dog breeds. Wisdom Panel’s team of researchers and scientists actively contribute to this body of knowledge and review the findings of our colleagues to provide best-in-class testing to breeders. If we note a pattern of genetic disorder results in a certain breed and see adequate evidence of clinical significance, we will add to the list of known disorders for the breed to elevate breeder awareness. Breed-specific disorders can also change with testing panel updates, which occur on a regular basis. Rarely, testing panel updates may cause a particular test to fail our rigorous reporting quality standards. And new research sometimes suggests additional discovery work is necessary before reporting on a particular gene variant. In such cases, we may remove a disorder from our test offerings for a time.

What is the difference between Wisdom Panel products (e.g., Wisdom Panel Essential, Premium, 4.0, or Health) and breeder testing?

Though they offer various levels of health and trait testing, Wisdom Panel products focus on ancestry testing for pet owners. Our breeder products, on the other hand, are tailored for breeders. So, ancestry testing is not included, but we do include the most extensive health, trait, and diversity reporting available. For example, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA) are only reported in our breeder products—and at no additional charge. Optimal Selection™ Canine is offered exclusively on https://www.optimal-selection.com (it cannot be purchased on wisdompanel.com) for less than Wisdom Panel Premium because it does not include ancestry testing.

Do you test for dilution?

Yes, we test for three forms of dilution in Optimal Selection™: dilution type 1 (d1), dilution type 2 (d2), and dilution type 3 (d3). Dilution type 1 is the most common, and we detect it via a linkage test. Dilution types 2 and 3 are direct tests but are much less commonly observed because they are breed-specific. Please note that rare, yet-to-be-discovered genetic variants are also known to cause dilution. If your dog is dilute but was not reported as carrying two copies of one or more dilution variants, we encourage you to reach out to our customer service team so we may include your dog in future research.

Why are some tests no longer included in Optimal Selection™? 

Breed-specific tests may change with testing panel updates, which occur on a regular basis. Rarely, testing panel updates may cause a particular test to fail our rigorous reporting quality standards. And new research sometimes suggests additional discovery work is necessary before reporting on a particular gene variant. In such cases, we may remove a disorder from our test offerings for a time.

What coat color tests do you provide?

Optimal Selection™ Canine screens for over 50 traits. View the complete list of coat color tests here.

Do you test for merle insertion (SILV SINE) length?

No, Optimal Selection™ Canine tests for the presence or absence of the merle SINE insertion in the SILV gene. The length requires a secondary, specialized test (fluorescent fragmentation analysis). Dogs that have no visible merle coloration but show a positive result upon testing are likely carrying a shortened (truncated) merle allele. Tilia Laboratories in Europe offers confirmatory testing for the presence or number of truncated merle alleles and for m/Mc/Mc+/Ma/Ma+/M/Mh determination.

You detected one or two copies of merle, but my dog does not show merle coloration. Why is this?

Optimal Selection™ Canine tests for the presence or absence of the merle SINE insertion in the SILV gene. Often found in breeds that have carried merle for many years, the insertion can become shortened (truncated) due to copying errors that occur when gene information is passed down to offspring. Mutations within an individual can also result in that dog carrying two or more merle allele lengths. This is called “mosaicism.” Shorted merle insertions usually: 

• Do not produce a visible coat color change
• Are not thought to pose a risk of impaired vision or hearing
• Do not spontaneously revert to a normal merle allele length

Optimal Selection testing will detect all lengths of merle alleles and report presence of these as “merle” without further details. There are also rare cases in which the merle insertion has little effect on coloration in that individual, but is not shortened. Offspring that inherit this variant from a parent can show normal merle coloration, even though their parent doesn’t. To rule out cryptic or atypical merle, a secondary, specialized test (fluorescent fragmentation analysis) is required. Tilia Laboratories in Europe offers confirmatory testing for the presence or number of truncated merle alleles and for m/Mc/Mc+/Ma/Ma+/M/Mh determination.

You detected two copies of chocolate for my dog, but they are not chocolate. Why is this?

Optimal Selection™ Canine detects four chocolate variants: variant 1 (bc), variant 2 (bs), variant 3 (bd), and variant 4 (basd). Variants 1, 2, and 4 replace the dominant black allele. But variant 3 is unique in that it can also occur on a chromosome that is already carrying another chocolate variant from the same parent. To show chocolate, a dog must inherit at least one chocolate variant from both parents. Dogs that inherit two copies of chocolate from one parent and no copies from the other parent will produce black pigment—even though they have two copies of chocolate. Additional rare unknown variants are possible, and Cocoa, in French Bulldogs, is not caused by the chocolate locus.

 

I tested parents and offspring with Optimal Selection™ or MyDogDNA, but the disorder or trait results do not appear to agree with what I was expecting. What causes this?

The most common cause for discrepancies between parents and offspring is that they were analyzed with different versions of the test. So, the sire or dam were screened for a slightly different set of disorders or traits compared to the offspring. Looking closely at all results will generally indicate if the test(s) in question were actually performed for both parent and offspring. Another common cause is that the test was mislabeled before submission—usually when more than one dog’s sample was collected at the same time. Genetic results are rarely inconsistent due to pedigree errors or true laboratory errors. We care deeply about the accuracy and quality of our results. If you have a concern, please contact us at breeder@wisdompanel.com. Our specialists will review the data and recommend an appropriate course of action.

I tested some of my dogs with Optimal Selection™ and some at another lab, and the results do not appear to agree. What should I do?

To confirm that the same test was actually performed at both labs, we first recommend a close comparison with help from the testing laboratories. At this time, there are limited national or international standards for veterinary genetic testing. So, test nomenclature, type, quality, reproducibility, and procedure varies from laboratory to laboratory. Wisdom Panel follows recommended best practices, has been offering veterinary genetic testing for over 15 years, and has built a reputation for high testing standards to mitigate risk of error. We care deeply about the accuracy and quality of our results. If you have a concern, our specialists will review the data and recommend an appropriate course of action. Wisdom Panel cannot vouch for the accuracy of other laboratory results but will provide counsel to owners based on the information available.

Why does my technical report not show my dog’s breed-specific disorder results?

Breed-specific results in the web and technical reports are only provided if you designated your dog’s breed in their profile. You may enter this information during kit activation or at a later time by visiting the dog’s profile in your account and selecting a breed. This will also update the technical report, which you can then download. If your dog’s breed does not have any known disorders, the full list of disorders tested will still be displayed.

Why does my dog’s diversity graph compare him/her to “all purebred dogs” but not his/her breed?

Breed-specific results in the web and technical reports are only provided if you designated your dog’s breed in their profile. You may enter this information during kit activation or at a later time by visiting the dog’s profile in your account and selecting a breed. If you have a rare breed for which we have fewer than 30 individuals in our database, your dog’s diversity score will be relative to all purebred dogs until we’ve collected enough reference samples.

When will printable reports be available? 

The Technical Report feature is now available. At the bottom of your dog’s Summary page,  select the “Download Technical Report” button to access your printable report.

What happened to my dog’s Genetic Diversity information? 

Since 2010, preserving and monitoring diversity has been a fundamental part of our breeder products. We’ve redesigned diversity reporting to be as user-friendly as possible for all breeders and to make it available in the new web experience.

Where are the Genetic Relationships graphs? 

We are exploring new and better ways to convey the information in the Genetic Relationships graphs (also known as the MDS graphs). But for the time being, they are not available.

I need to submit results to OFA. How do I do that? 

You may download a printable Technical Report from the Summary page of your results.

What happened to the Breeder Tool? 

To provide a better experience for all customers, we’re consolidating our products onto the same web platform. Due to the technical complexity of supporting the Breeder Tool for our large breeder base, it will not be available in the immediate future. But we are exploring ways to bring this functionality to our customers in future updates and will inform you when more details are available.

I’m a breeder or affiliated with a breed association. Is there a discount code available to me at this time? 

Yes. We will continue to honor existing discounts for clubs that use Optimal Selection™ or MyDogDNA™. Multi-kit discounts are available for all breeder product purchases of four (4) kits or more.

How does your diversity score compare to COI?

The genetic diversity measurement found in Optimal Selection™ is based on genotyping specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the genome and calculating the times a same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous) variant was inherited from the parents. All heterozygosity calculations in our products have been calculated based on the same SNP panel maintained on our custom microarray chip. This is notable because calculations from different sources can differ slightly due to differences in the marker sets used. 

COI is typically based on recent pedigrees and is associated with the probability of inheriting two copies of the same allele (or sometimes a haplotype, being a large genomic chunk of inherited alleles) from common ancestors. Diversity (or heterozygosity) scoring is based on genetic testing at a number of genomic locations that are informative of overall variability within a population. 

It’s worth noting that measuring genetic diversity is measuring an association with inbreeding, rather than directly measuring inbreeding. In addition to recent family inbreeding, Optimal Selection™ diversity score reflects long-term population “inbreeding” which can be very important in dogs - especially for breeds that have had small, relatively closed populations for many generations. This genetic diversity measurement is most useful when comparing the score against the provided population's score as both were created using the same method and genetic marker set. 

I tested using Optimal Selection™ a few years ago but the new report is missing some tests that were originally reported. Where are they?

The old reports are still available in your account and should have all the tests that were available when the panel was originally processed. To find the original (legacy) report select “manage pet profile” under the dog in question and scroll down to the bottom of the page; the PDF link for the legacy report can be found there. When older tests were migrated to the new platform, only tests that are performed in the same manner now as they were then could be moved over; otherwise the specific test information on the details page would be incorrect. Some of the tests in question are dilute variant 1 (d1) and furnishings (f).