DNA testing for pet dogs

BITSA, Breed Identification Through Scientific Analysis, is a canine breed profiling that utilises DNA testing to identify a dog’s true breed. This is the first time DNA testing is available at a retail level for the general dog-owning public of Australia.

In an exclusive retail partnership, Pets at Home has launched BITSA to address customer curiosity about their dog’s true breed profile, while enhancing its efforts to promote responsible pet ownership.

Using enhanced DNA analysis, BITSA identifies a dog’s breed by applying the latest DNA science to analyse the multiple snippets of a dog’s DNA.

For dog breeders and pedigree dog owners, BITSA can be useful in proving the pure breed of a dog and provides sufficient proof where certification papers are not available. Medical conditions specific to a pure bred dog might also be pre-empted.

BITSA also proves useful in understanding the physical and behavioural traits of a mixed breed, often offering a surprise breed that cannot be detected through appearance.

Additionally, BITSA can prove the breed of dog involved in a dog attack on a person.

Pets at Home is exclusively able to offer BITSA testing in store. The test is quick, safe, painless and non-invasive, using a cotton swab to gather a sample of a dog’s saliva. The sample is given to Genetic Technologies, the organisation behind BITSA, for analysis.

The BITSA test results, contained in a detailed Dog Breed Specificity Report, are presented back to the owner in store by a certified Pets at Home staff member.