Lazar Jovanovic ·
Updated May 7, 2025
Choosing a dog DNA test can help you learn more about your dog’s unique traits, health risks, and ancestry. These tests have become more popular as dog owners want to better understand their pets.
The right dog DNA test gives you reliable information about your dog’s breed background and possible health conditions. Knowing what to look for can help you make the best decision for your pet’s needs.
1. Embark Breed + Health Kit
The Embark Breed + Health Kit gives you a way to learn about your dog’s breed makeup and health. With this test, you send in a swab from your dog’s cheek, and the company checks it for over 350 dog breeds and more than 270 possible genetic health risks. You can learn if your dog has genes linked to health problems before symptoms show up. This can help you work with your vet to plan the right care. The kit also tells you about things like traits, coat type, and even if your dog has relatives in the Embark database.
For more details or to buy the kit, visit the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit.
2. Wisdom Panel Premium DNA Test
If you want to learn about your dog’s breed mix, genetic health, and traits, the Wisdom Panel Premium DNA test is a helpful choice. This test can identify a large number of breeds, including many recognized by the American Kennel Club. If you want to compare more kits, you can see that many people say this test is faster and less expensive than others, like Embark. You can learn more from the Wisdom Panel Premium dog DNA test page and a recent New York Times review.
3. Ancestry Dog DNA Test
The Ancestry Dog DNA Test is a new option for pet owners who want to learn more about their dog’s background. This test is made by Ancestry, a company best known for human DNA kits. It is designed to deliver breed-focused results. When you use this test, you collect a sample using a kit sent to your home and send it back. The process is simple and includes clear instructions, making it easy for most people to use.
You can order the kit online and receive everything you need in the box, including a prepaid return label. If you want to see more details or buy a kit, check out the Ancestry Dog DNA Test.
4. Basepaws Cat & Dog DNA Test
Basepaws offers DNA tests for both cats and dogs. These kits look at your pet’s breed, physical traits, and genetic health markers. You use a simple saliva swab to collect your pet’s sample. For dogs, Basepaws analyzes over 280 genetic health markers. This gives you a detailed health report as well as a breed breakdown. It helps you understand both your dog’s background and potential health risks. Learn more about the kit’s features at the Basepaws Dog DNA Test.
5. Embark Breed Identification Test
The Embark Breed Identification Test helps you find out your dog’s breed mix. You can see the breakdown of your dog’s ancestry and learn which breeds are present in their genetic makeup. This can be helpful if you adopted your dog or if you’re curious about their background. Embark offers a test focused only on breed identification. It does not include health or trait information in this specific kit. If you just want to know your dog’s breed, this option may be enough.
Embark’s Breed Identification Test is popular with owners who want to learn about their dog’s breed ancestry without paying for health details. The test is priced lower than kits that also cover health risks.
6. Wisdom Panel Health + Breed Test
If you are looking for a detailed dog DNA test, the Wisdom Panel Health + Breed Test could be a good fit. This kit gives you information about your dog’s breed mix and screens for a wide range of health conditions. You can discover which breeds are in your dog’s background. This can help explain some behaviors and traits you might notice. The test covers over 350 breeds, types, and varieties.
You can learn more about this test and its features at the Wisdom Panel website.
7. AKC DNA Test Kit
If you want to prove your dog’s identity or verify parentage, the AKC DNA Test Kit is a solid choice. This test is specifically designed for purebred dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. The process is simple. You collect DNA from inside your dog’s cheek using the included swab. You then mail the sample to the AKC’s lab for testing.
The AKC DNA Test Kit is not designed to screen for health risks or inherited diseases. It does not provide breed identification for mixed-breed dogs. It focuses only on identity and parentage. For more details, visit the AKC DNA Test Kits page. You can order a kit directly from the AKC. The cost is $55 per dog. If you are interested in registering purebred puppies or verifying pedigrees, this kit is a reliable option.
8. Embark Health Screening Test
The Embark Health Screening Test checks your dog’s DNA for over 270 genetic health risks. This means you can find out if your dog is more likely to develop certain conditions before symptoms appear. It can help you and your vet plan for your dog’s care. Embark uses a simple cheek swab to collect your dog’s DNA. You send the kit back, and they process it in their lab. Results usually arrive in a few weeks.
Many dog owners use Embark to discover their pet’s breed mix and relatives. The service can recognize over 350 breeds, giving you a broad view of your dog’s background. You can read more about these features at the Embark Dog DNA Test site.
9. Wisdom Panel Essential DNA Test
The Wisdom Panel Essential DNA Test helps you find out your dog’s breed background and possible health risks. If you have a mixed-breed dog, this test gives you detailed breed results based on a large breed database. You will also learn about traits and behaviors that your dog may have. The kit is easy to use at home. You only need to do a quick cheek swab and send it in.
Many people pick this test because it is known for accuracy and strong science. If you want a well-rounded overview of your dog’s genetics, you can read more about the Wisdom Panel Essential DNA Test.
10. Embark Genetic Health Risk Test
If you want to learn about your dog’s health risks, the Embark Genetic Health Risk Test can help. It screens for over 270 genetic health conditions in your dog’s DNA. This gives you useful information, so you can talk with your vet about the best care for your pet.
Embark tests for more than just health risks. It can also identify over 350 breeds in your dog’s background. If you want the most detailed genetic testing for dogs, Embark is a good choice. You can learn more about the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit and what it offers by visiting their official site.
How Dog DNA Tests Work
Dog DNA tests use saliva from your pet to examine thousands of genetic markers. These tests help you learn about breed background, ancestry, and even possible health risks.
Types of Genetic Analyses
- Most dog DNA tests compare your dog’s DNA to a database with profiles of many breeds. Some tests focus only on finding out which breeds are present in your dog’s ancestry, while others also look for health indicators like genetic diseases.
- Breed identification tests scan for breed markers to estimate the mix in your dog’s background. These work best with large databases since more comparisons give more accurate matches. The top tests, such as Embark and Wisdom Panel, check for over 350 breeds and screen for dozens of health conditions.
- Some tests add checks for traits such as coat type and color, or even risk factors for certain medical conditions. Keep in mind, tests with more features tend to cost more and may give results that are not always 100% accurate, especially with rare breeds.
Sample Collection Methods
- You usually collect your dog’s DNA using a cheek swab. Most dog DNA test kits come with a swab and instructions. You rub the swab inside your dog’s cheek for about 30 seconds to gather cells. Afterward, you seal the swab in a tube and mail it to the lab.
- It is important to avoid food and water for at least 30 minutes before swabbing to keep the sample clean. Some tests may allow you to use saliva directly, but cheek swabs are the most common because they are less messy and tend to give a better quality sample.
- Once the lab receives the sample, technicians extract the DNA and analyze it using a process called genotyping. This process looks at markers that are known to differ between breeds and for certain health conditions, as explained in detail by Embark’s testing process.
- Many brands email you a secure link to your results in a few weeks. Some kits even provide updates as more data is added to their breed database.
Former fleet, marketing and general manager, failed startup co-founder, currently a VP of Business Operations at CitizenShipper. In spare time I enjoy playing beach volleyball on sunny shorelines of Florida and trying to learn how to play golf!
