Abstract: A rapid and highly species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) assay had been developed for the detection of dog-derived components in meat and meat mixtures. Primers and Taqman probe were designed on the mitochondrial ND2, and the performance of the method was tested. Results showed that no cross-reaction was observed between the dog and non-target species, and this method revealed a high sensitivity and could detect 100 fg of dog template DNA. In conclusion, this real-time PCR assay could be a rapid and straightforward method for the accurate identification of dog-derived components in food.