Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my results and what will
BITSA is Australasia’s first canine, DNA based, breed identification they tell me?
What is BITSA?
test. This innovative test detects the breed, or mixture of breeds
that make up your dog. BITSA can identify breed signatures as
far back as three generations and can define, provided they are
present, the primary (parent), secondary (grandparent) and distant
(great grandparent) breeds in your dog’s ancestry.
A DNA sample is obtained by using a non-invasive cheek swab.
This sample is then analysed using the latest state of the art DNA
technology and a unique breed signature is generated for your
dog. Your dog’s unique signature is cross referenced against our
extensive breed database to determine your dog’s unique breed
make-up. Results are then reported and presented to you with an
accurate and understandable analysis of your dog’s true breed
composition.
Approximately 3 weeks after taking a sampe of your dog’s genetic
material your Vet will invite you back to the clinic to discuss your
dog’s BITSA report. This report will include:
• The breeds found in your dog’s ancestry
• A history on each breed found in your dog
• A Paws rating summarising typical breed traits
• Health concerns affecting the breed(s) found in your dog
• Games and activities your furry friend will love to play
It is important to note that although some breeds are more
susceptible to certain genetic health problems, this does not mean
that every dog with that breed composition will develop these
diseases. However, understanding a breeds’ predisposition to a
certain condition allows you and your Vet to be better placed to
identify and manage any future onset of disease during your dog’s
lifetime.
What is a breed signature?
What if my dog doesn’t have a breed for
every generation?
How does BITSA work?
A breed signature is a genetic representation of a particular canine
breed. Our breed signature databases were developed using
registered pedigree dogs, whose reference samples were collected
at dog shows throughout Australasia ensuring that we have the
highest quality canine pedigree breed signatures.
How accurate is the test?
Our breed signatures have been generated from over 20,000
known pure breed dogs. We are confident that our breed signatures
are an accurate representation of the breeds we claim to detect.
Our databases and breed signatures are being continually updated
with new breeds and additional reference samples so that we can
continue to provide our clients with the most accurate results.
Currently, BITSA proudly maintains greater than 99.95% accuracy
for its test results at a primary level.
Can BITSA tell if my dog is a pure breed?
Yes. BITSA is able to determine whether both parents of a dog were
of a particular breed, allowing us to verify pure breed status.
BITSA cannot be used as a means of obtaining official papers nor
can it serve as evidence of a pedigree dog.
How is a sample collected?
BITSA uses a simple, non-invasive and painless sampling technique
called buccal (cheek) swabbing; your Vet simply place the swab
from your BITSA kit against the inside of your dog’s cheek and
swirls it in a circular motion in order to collect your a sample of your
dog’s genetic material. This sample is then placed in a tamper-proof
bag and sent away for analysis
It is important to understand that BITSA can only detect breeds
that are present in a dog’s ancestry. Sometimes in a dog’s
ancestry either one or both parents can be termed ‘outbred’
(dogs with mixed breed parents and grandparents). In this
case, distinct breed signatures are not present within a dog’s
DNA, this absence prevents a primary or secondary breed from
being determined in heavily mixed breed dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds can BITSA identify?
As of February 2010 BITSA is able to identify 62 breeds (listed below) with additional breeds being added and updated on a regular
basis. This covers over 90% of current breeds found in Australia.
Alaskan Malamute
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bichon Frise
Border Collie
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (Min.)
Bulldog
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chihuahua (Long haired)
Chihuahua (Short haired)
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Curly Coated Retriever
Dalmatian
Dachshund
Doberman
Dogue de Bordeaux
English Springer Spaniel
Fox Terrier
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Great Dane
Greyhound
Irish Setter
Italian Greyhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Kelpie
Koolie
Labrador Retriever
Maltese
Neapolitan Mastiff
Papillon
Pointer
Pomeranian
Poodle (Standard)
Poodle (Miniature)
Poodle (Toy)
Pug
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Scottish Terrier
Shiba Inu
Shih-tzu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Tibetan Spaniel
Tenterfield Terrier
Weimaraner
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet
What if my dog doesn’t look like the
breeds reported?
We encourage our customers to understand that our
breed signatures are based on the best pedigree dog
samples, collected with proof of pedigree. Thus a true BITSA
(a dog with mixed breed parents and grandparents) will
not exhibit the exact features of the breeds detected as
they are not pure breed dogs.
It is also important to realise that primary breeds are the
result of at least one pure breed dog being present at the
parental level in your dog’s ancestry. Many canine traits
are diluted with other characteristics.
For example a dog reported as a primary German
Shepherd and secondary Golden Retriever may look very
much like a German Shepherd, however it may have small
differences, such as a marginally longer or thicker coat,
different shaped ears and slightly warmer coloured fur.
T 0800 474 225 E [email protected]
www.gribblesvets.co.nz
Gribbles Veterinary Logo bigger than 12.5mm
Logo in
horizontal format
PMS 369 C & PMS 425 C
PMS 425 C
Logo in
vertical format
© Genetic Technologies Limited . ABN 17 009 212 328 . 02/2010 . GTG 08 2396 A
PMS 369 C & PMS 425C
PMS 425C
Black (70%)