When you welcome a loving pooch into your home, you don’t always know the full history of the new four-legged member of your family – well, until now that is.
With the rise in popularity in human DNA testing, and with the ease in which we can all now find out about our heritage – sometimes with astounding results – it makes sense that some smart cookie developed a test that works for the fluffier members of our family!
After all, wouldn’t you like to know if your teeny tiny toy pup has a great aunt who happens to be a Great Dane? And likewise, if your Great Dane is part Chihuahua?!
Well, by using one of the best dog DNA test kits you can find this out, and more.
But how does it work? Easy – it’s exactly the same as the human variety; you swab the inside of their cheek using the provided swaps, then send off to your chosen provider using the packaging supplied in your kit!
5 Best Dog DNA Kits
1. Embark
Embark
$159.00
Features
- HUNDREDS OF ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: 75% of dogs are either at risk or a carrier for a genetic health condition. Embark's panel tests 210+ health risks and provides hundreds of actionable insights to help you give your pup the best care possible. After receiving their test results, 37% of dog owners changed how they care for their dog.
- BREED ID THAT'S TWICE AS PRECISE: Embark tests over 230,000 genetic markers, twice as many as the next competitor. We also screen for 350+ dog breeds, more than any other dog DNA test. This means Embark's test is the most accurate and scientifically advanced on the market.
- HIGHEST RATED & MOST TRUSTED: Embark is the highest rated dog DNA brand on Amazon.com with over 16,000 5-star reviews. Only Embark uses research-grade data and is partnered with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In a blind study, dog owners rated Embark as the most trusted dog DNA test.
- DISCOVER RELATIVES, TRAITS, AND MORE: Find and connect with your pup's family through the world’s only canine relative finder. Over 90% of dogs tested by Embark have a close relative, like a cousin, and 12% discover a direct family member. Plus, get genetic info on 35+ physical traits, such as POMC, the 'always-hungry' gene.
- EXCELLENT SERVICE & FAST RESULTS: Have a question about your results? Just talk to one of our dedicated vets or geneticists — they’re ready with the answer. Embark generally delivers results in 2-4 weeks and keep you updated every step of the way.
The Embark is a super simple DNA test kit that comes with everything you need to find out the ancestry, predisposed medical conditions, and even the dominant traits that your dog displays!
Key Specifications
- MIXED BREED USE – Yes
- MEDICAL INFO – Yes
- TRAITS – Yes
- WHY WE RECOMMEND – Partnered with Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine
As well as being interesting, knowing more about your dog’s genetic makeup can help you make decisions regarding his diet, exercise regime and so much more to help keep him healthy for the long run.
Most dog breeds have specific ailments that they are at risk of developing. Let’s take the Labrador Retriever, for example, a jovial, gregarious, and calm dog breed that happens to be ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
But, did you know that they also commonly develop Pancreatitis — an enlarged pancreas — which can be deadly if untreated. However, when responsible dog owners, like you, go out of their way to discover these possible problems, it also allows you to reduce the risk to your dog significantly.
More than just being fun for you, by partaking in dog genetic testing – you are helping to further scientific research which will ultimately offer medical breakthroughs and help save the lives of dogs in need!
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Find out your dog’s family tree all the way back to his great-grandparents!
- Tests for 160 possible diseases.
- Each purchase contributes to canine health research.
- It provides you with a list of possible drug sensitivities.
- Gives you in-depth information on your dog’s unique traits
Cons
- Takes quite some time for the results to come back
- If your dog is particularly mixed, the results will take even longer
- Results don’t always tally with obvious breed traits or appearance
It truly is amazing what you can find out from your canine buddies DNA information, and with countless happy pet owners making up Embarks customer base – this is certainly a fun activity to learn more about your dog.
2. Wisdom Panel
Features
- With a simple cheek swab, you can uncover DNA-based insights that may help you understand your dog's unique appearance, behaviors and wellness needs
- Adult weight range prediction to help you make appropriate nutrition and diet choices
- Breed insights to help you provide a better training program, understand behavior
- You will be emailed an official Ancestry Report revealing your dog's a genetic background
- This single test allows you to test Mixed Breed, Purebred or Designer Dog breed ancestry back to great-grandparents
Are you wondering where your Rottweiler Mix’s double winter coat comes from? With DNA testing for dogs provided by Wisdom Panel, all your questions shall be answered!
Key Specifications
- MIXED BREED USE – YES
- MEDICAL INFO – NO
- TRAITS – YES
- WHY WE RECOMMEND – Focuses on behavioral traits and natural tendencies
It’s always fun to learn more about your furry best friend, but what’s really important is that you understand them on a genetic level so you can provide them with the best life possible. I think as dog-parents, this is what we all strive for.
With this kit, you will even be able to figure out the best behavioral training for your doggie’s specific breed mix needs. The breed of your dog also determines what kind and level of physical activity they love and what food is best suited for their optimal health. Give your pooch all the things he or she naturally craves and have the happiest puppy by your side!
Pros
- Discover the behavioral traits of your puppy
- Discover what your dog naturally loves doing
- Find out what nutrition best fits your doggie’s specific needs
Cons
- Results can take a long time to come back
- With mixed breeds, results can sometimes be indefinite
- If unsatisfied with results, there is no refund policy
- Does not test for diseases
- Instructions are not very straightforward
TIP: Wisdom offers no money-back guarantee so in order to avoid getting results that are unsatisfactory or inconclusive, give yourself and your puppy the best shot at obtaining uncontaminated DNA by remembering not to allow your puppy to eat, chew, or lick anything for two hours prior to taking your sample of dog DNA.
3. Wisdom Panel 3.0
Wisdom Panel 3.0
Features
- Dog DNA health testing kit: With a simple cheek swab you can do at home, the Wisdom Panel test analyzes for more than 350 breeds, types, & varieties. Some customers may receive kits with older packaging that still refers to 250+ breeds; rest assured that your test will be automatically upgraded to the current 350+ breeds, types, and varieties analysis.
- Three simple steps: Simply collect your dog's DNA with a cheek swab, activate your kit online & send your kit to the lab with pre-paid shipping. You'll receive our genetic analysis of your dog's ancestry & breed identification in as little as 2 weeks.
- Benefits of DNA analysis: Genetic testing can help you identify breeds & specific health issues that may be important to the wellbeing of your dog; Work with your veterinarian & use your results to develop training, nutrition & long-term healthcare plans
- Best in show: As the leading canine genetics company we’ve tested the DNA of more than 1.5 million dogs & developed the largest & most comprehensive breed database in the world, with a sophisticated algorithm and a very strategically placed set of markers
- Discover more about your dog: DNA analysis unlocks a brand new world of DNA-based insights that may help you understand your dog's unique appearance, behaviors, and wellness needs.
With a database of more than 250 breeds, the Wisdom Panel 3.0 Test Kit is one of the most comprehensive tests out there. It seems to be geared towards purebred testing, but it will also work with mixed breeds.
Key Specifications
- MIXED BREED USE – YES
- MEDICAL INFO – YES
- TRAITS – YES
- WHY WE RECOMMEND – MDR1 drug sensitivity screening, a database of 250 breeds
Discover what makes your beloved furry friend unique with this test. Does your canine friend like to play fetch, go on hikes, or does she like laying on the couch like the Queen of Sheba? Well, now you get to find out exactly why these traits are present in your dog.
Also, open yourself up to the possibility of finding new activities, exercises or games your pooch might like, or downright LOVE!
What really makes the Wisdom Panel Kit unique is that they are officially licensed to carry out MRD1 screening to determine if your doggie has a potentially lethal sensitivity to Ivermectin, Loperamide, and other drugs that are commonly prescribed for dogs.
Do you think that your mixed-breed dog has close ancestors that are purebred? Testing for this is a specialty of this particular kit. It will test your puppy’s DNA up to the great-grandparent for any purebred ancestors.
Pros
- Largest database in the world with more than 250 breeds
- Licensed to offer MDR1 drug sensitivity screening, which could potentially save your puppy’s life
- Identification of purebred ancestors up to the great-grandparent level
- Pre-paid shipping included
- Test results in 2-3 weeks
Cons
- With mixed breeds, results can sometimes be indefinite
- There may be limitations if your dog is several generations mixed
The Wisdom Panel 3.0 Test Kit comes with prepaid shipping for your dog’s cheek swab. Results come out in 2-3 weeks, making it a relatively quick and painless process to get to know your best (furry) friend better.
4. Orivet
Features
- Discover the breeds that make up your dog
- Create your pet's personalized life plan
- Interactive online report you can update
- Proven & trusted by thousands of veterinarians worldwide
- Share with your veterinarian, groomer, family and friends
The folks behind the Orivet Dog Breed ID + Life Plan know that when it comes to dogs, there is more than meets the eye. Your puppy is really cute, but with the help of DNA testing, you will be able to dig deeper into what really makes your pet super unique and awesome!
Key Specifications
- MIXED BREED USE – YES
- MEDICAL INFO – YES
- TRAITS – YES
- WHY WE RECOMMEND – Geared towards the wellbeing of your puppy over the span of a lifetime
With a simple cheek swab performed on your pooch, you could be well on your way to learning a whole lot more about your beloved furry friend.
Uncovering your dog’s breed will help you find what behaviors your dog is prone to, what exercises he likes, what he responds to best, and a plethora of other traits. What really makes this solution unique, however, is the fact that it is geared towards coming up with a lifetime plan for your pet so that you can optimize your puppy’s health over a lifetime.
Revealing any medical conditions your puppy is susceptible to developing so that with your veterinarian, you can keep things in check in order to ensure that your pooch is living life to the fullest for many years to come.
Pros
- A database of over 250 breeds
- Overall health test for your pooch
- Quick and painless, cheek swab
- Creates a personalized life plan for your pet
- Highlights the main risks that you should know and a pet-parent
Cons
- Not the cheapest option out there
Again, with the Orivet Dog Breed ID + Life Plan product, the process is simple. All it takes is a cheek swab that is sent away, and results will come out in 2-3 weeks. Very simple!
5. IdentiBreed
Features
- ★FIND OUT THE BREEDS THAT MAKEUP YOUR DOG: Simply swab your dogs cheeks and allow our laboratory to provide you with the list of breeds that makeup your dog. We have a comprehensive database that covers most breeds.
- ★GENETIC HEALTH TEST: Our laboratory tests for over 160 health conditions that includes glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy, three of the most common adult onset diseases in dogs.
- ★FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTOLERANCE TESTING: Find out your dogs intolerance and sensitivity to 125 food and environmental items. Learn what foods and factors your dog should avoid! (requires a small hair sample)
- ★HOW STRESSED IS YOUR DOG?: Our test takes stress level measurements using cortisol so you can learn how stressed your dog is.
- ★FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR DOGS OVERALL HEALTH: We measure your dogs hormone, vitamin and toxin levels. Find out if they are in the low, normal or high range.
With this DNA test for dogs by Identibreed, you will find out a plethora of useful genetic facts about your beloved pooch. Not only you will find out the genetic makeup of your puppy, but this particular product also goes into health testing, food sensitivities, stress testing, and overall health. WOW!
Key Specifications
- MIXED BREED USE – YES
- MEDICAL INFO – YES
- TRAITS – YES
- WHY WE RECOMMEND – Tests for medical conditions, food intolerance and sensitivities, stress levels and overall health
Identibreed Complete Dog Test Kit is backed up by an extensive database that covers most dog breeds, but it also checks your dog’s DNA for over 160 health conditions including degenerative myelopathy, glaucoma, and dilated cardiomyopathy, which are three common diseases in dogs.
This test kit goes beyond genetics and into food and environmental sensitivities and intolerances. When provided with a small hair sample from your furry sidekick, testing for intolerances and sensitivities to 125 food and environmental items; if something has been irritating your dog, you’ll soon find out!
Ever wondered how stressed Fido is? Wonder no more as this fancy kit also checks for cortisol levels.
Hormone, vitamin, and toxin levels will also be checked so that you will also gain an understanding of your pooch’s overall health.
Pros
- A comprehensive database that covers most breeds
- Tests for 160 health conditions
- Food intolerance and sensitivity test with a small hair sample
- Checks cortisol levels so that you know how stressed your dog is
- Find out about your doggie’s general health through the hormone, vitamin and toxin level testing
Cons
- Dog’s photo is required
- Results can take a while to be received
- A paper envelope is given to put the swab in, which may or may not be sterile
The Identibreed test is quite thorough and requires a cheek swab, a hair sample, and also a photo of your pooch.
Bottom Line
Giving yourself the gift of learning more about your beloved pet, will not only help you understand them better and give them all they need according to their breed, but it will make you love them more because you will understand them more.
Whether it’s their playful nature or the 10lbs of fur they shed per year, you will know where it all comes from!
A DNA kit will provide you with knowledge about your pooch that will help you care for them better by giving them the right nutrition, exercise, and by knowing exactly what to look out for when it comes to tendencies to developing diseases.
Our favorite DNA testing kit from the above list is the Identibreed Complete Dog Test because it seems to be the most comprehensive one of all. Not only it tests for your dog’s breed, giving results around traits and behaviors associated therein, but it also checks for food sensitivities, stress levels, and overall health. With all of these features, it’s a no-brainer that it was crowned our winner.
Armed with all this knowledge, we hope it will be easy for you to choose the right option for you. Happy Testing! Read our comprehensive guide on Dog Medication here.
The Review
5 Best Dog DNA Kits
Here are the top 5 DNA kits rated for you.
Review Breakdown
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Embark
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Wisdom Panel
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IdentiBreed
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Wisdom Panel 3.0
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Orivet
5 Best Dog DNA Kits DEALS
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