The Best Dog DNA Tests
We've all seen a mixed-breed canine at some point and have wondered, "What the heck kind of dog is that?" Odds are the person who calls their dog their best friend has been asking themselves the same question. Yes, it is easy to speculate based on head shape, the texture of fur, and overall size. But wouldn’t it be nice to get a specific answer to give those inquiring minds a confident response? Of course, it would. And wouldn’t you also just love to know how many different breeds make up your four-legged friend? Well, now you can know. Because doggy DNA tests are an actual thing. So let us put that curiosity to rest and see what type of tests are on the market.
What to Look For
While sniffing out the best dog DNA test on the market, we kept three key factors in mind. They needed to be accurate, easy to use, and provide helpful information that can help you take good care of your furry friend. Embark’s test kit provides comprehensive results that can help determine important information about your dog’s breed and overall health. But if you’re shopping on a budget, DNA My Dog offers a reliable test kit that won’t break the bank. Keep reading to learn more about the best dog DNA kits available today.
Embark Dog DNA Test With Breed & Health Kit
The full picture
Embark is a popular brand in the DNA-testing world. This time, they’re offering much more than the average dog DNA kit. Yes, you can find out Spot’s ancestry, but Embark also allows you to test your pet for over 190 genetic diseases. That way, you can put your curiosity to rest and make sure you’re up-to-snuff with the health of your dog. This premium test is one of the most thorough and reliable on the market, so we recommend it to those that refuse to settle for anything less than the best.
Pros:
- We love that it tests for over 190 genetic diseases, giving you the knowledge you need to help your dog.
- Embark will give you a percentage of shared DNA between your dog and others that have been tested with Embark. This is especially helpful when adopting a dog with an unknown breed history.
Cons:
- The results can take up to a month, sometimes longer.
Embark Dog DNA Test
The real deal
Screening for over 350 dog breeds, types, and varieties, Embark offers the most accurate breed breakdown when it comes to determining your dog’s DNA and ancestry. Partnering with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Embark can precisely detect breed contributions down to 5% of the total breed make.
Pros:
- The results are straightforward to understand.
- The swab is easy to use with any sized dog.
- You have the option of upgrading your service to receive your dog’s genetic health report.
Cons:
- Their customer service can sometimes be slow to respond.
Wisdom Panel Essential, Dog DNA Test for Ancestry
Bark up the right tree
Another worthy contender for the best, this test kit from Wisdom Health comes at a reasonable price and offers some of the most comprehensive ancestry information that you can get. In fact, this test can even predict certain recessive genes, so you can have an idea of what your dog’s puppies could look like. It also screens for over 25 medical risks. The process is also convenient since you just have to swab the inside of your dog’s mouth and send the sample to their lab through the mail.
Pros:
- The test is comprehensive and covers over 350 breeds. It even breaks down the source of traits like color, muzzle shape, hair type, etc.
- Wisdom Panel Essential does an excellent job helping foster owners and those who adopted from shelters discover how to better care for their dogs.
- The Wisdom Panel draws from one of the biggest dog DNA databases in the world.
Cons:
- It would be nice to know the expected margin of error for each prediction.
DNA My Dog: Canine Breed Identification Test Kit
Keep it simple
With a simple cheek swab, you can find out in two weeks what breeds of canine are in your dog. But this DNA test takes things up a notch. In addition to genetics, you’re provided with an outline of the generic health concerns and personality traits found in your pup. And as a bonus, you get a certificate to go along with everything else.
Pros:
- We like that it provides you with an outline of any health concerns and personality traits found in your dog.
- It’s definitely more affordable than the average DNA kit, so if you own several dogs, this would be the most economical choice.
Cons:
- Some may find it hard to tell how accurate the results are.
Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test
Some dog breeds are easily identifiable, while others leave us scratching our heads. Well, scratch no more with the Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA test. With nothing more than a simple cheek swab, this test analyzes more than 350 breeds, types, and varieties. After you’ve swabbed the cheek of your four-legged furry friend, the next step is to activate your account online. Once that’s done, use the pre-paid shipping to mail off your kit to the lab. Within two weeks, you’ll have the full history of your dog’s DNA and ancestry.
Pros:
- The step-by-step procedure is easy to follow.
- Wisdom Panel is a leading canine genetics company, so you can rest assured that the results will be accurate.
Cons:
- It sometimes takes longer than two weeks for results to come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most dog DNA kits seem the same. What sets one apart from the other?
The details. A top-notch DNA test will provide you with more than just breed results, but also list traits and health concerns of those specific breeds. Some tests even go so far as to guess your dog’s age, which is perfect for rescues and shelter dogs.
How accurate are these dog DNA tests?
Pretty accurate. Yes, some users have gone on record to question the validity of the results, but just because your dog may not look like it has poodle genes, doesn’t mean that they’re not there. If anything, it shows that these tests narrow down your dog’s breed to the smallest percentile.
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