DNA testing

Lots of people are turning to DNA tests to see if they have Nordic, Russian, Chinese, African, or Native American ancestry.

But what if you want to know if beloved Rover is part Alaskan Malamute, French Poodle, or Border Collie?

DNA testing for Dogs

Rascal's mom looked like Lassie. And his dad? Well, that's a good question. Rascal's ears make it clear that he was the product of something besides a collie, but his owners couldn't say exactly what. So Kathie Svoboda of Lincoln dabbed a swab in her pet's mouth, mailed it to a lab and, a few weeks later, unlocked the mutt's canine heritage.

Collie and cocker spaniel, as suspected, along with a twist -- Shetland sheepdog.

Only disappointment is that the article began with an attempt to tie "Rascal" to a famous ancestor. That's so not what dog genealogy is all about.

And as some people argue, enough generations have passed, and every dog is related to Lassie in some fashion. (Every Collie?)