A new survey by pet DNA company Wisdom Panel™ has revealed almost half (47%) of pet owners long to connect with their dog’s family at Christmas, while 46% are already in regular contact. Rochelle Green, who lives in Staines, Surrey, reconnected her rescue dog, River, with his brother when he was nine months old through a Wisdom Panel DNA test.

“We adopted River from Dogs Trust when he was around six months old. He was found with his three brothers, all thought to be strays. It was assumed the litter were spaniel crosses, but as River grew (quite a lot bigger than anticipated!), we were keen to know what he was. Knowing he had three siblings, we hoped we could also find them through DNA testing.

“Through this, we were able to connect with River’s brother, Chutney, and his owner. We utilised a feature through the test results that lets you link your Instagram account to your profile, which allowed Chutney’s owners to reach out to us directly. I think we all wanted them to meet to see if they remembered each other and if they were similar in any way!

“We met face to face and River and Chutney hit it off right away. They were playful and energetic, and it really felt like they knew each other. River’s always been more people-focused, so it was lovely to see this playful side to him.

“At the reunion, we learned how different their behaviours and traits are. It’s quite cool to be able to cross-reference their DNA results and then see them in person and watch everything you’ve read come to life.

“We keep in touch regularly, sharing photos, and are hoping to meet up again soon as we’ve since matched with one of River’s other siblings, Chilli, as it would be great to have them all together.

“Reuniting your dog with relatives gives you a chance to see what they’re like around each other and how close a bond can be between them, even when they've been apart for months”.

While 58% of pet owners are not aware of DNA testing, it’s a great way to gain a deeper understanding of your pet, finding out about their breeds, health, traits, and relatives, to help you tailor your care. The Wisdom Panel™ Premium Kit, RRP £139.99, screens for 365+ breeds, 260+ genetic health conditions, 50+ physical traits, and 15 behavioural predispositions, as well as identifying relatives, with results delivered in as little as 2-3 weeks.

For more information about the Wisdom Panel™ range for dogs and cats, visit www.wisdompanel.com.

*Survey of 1,000 UK pet owners conducted by Wisdom Panel™ and 3Gem in November 2024.