Our Final Verdict
We give Embark Dog DNA Breed & Health Test a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Reliability: 5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Usefulness: 5/5
Value: 5/5
When adopting a mixed-breed dog, particularly from a shelter or rescue organization, there are often a lot of unanswered questions. What breed were the parents? How big is my new dog going to get? What is its temperament going to be? Is it going to be healthy? These are just some of the things that up until a little over 15 years ago, there was virtually no chance of ever knowing. Then in 2007, a blood test performed only through veterinarians became available for analyzing dog DNA. As time went on, more and more research was performed on the canine genome, and, eventually, at-home testing kits began hitting the shelves, some with more accurate results than others.
That’s when Boston startup Embark hit the scene. Founded in 2015 by brothers Adam and Ryan Boyko, two dog lovers with a keen scientific interest in improving canine health across the globe, Embark has developed a variety of test kits for home use. Breed identification, genetic health risks, age determination, and more, can all be achieved with Embark’s line of home testing kits in just a matter of weeks. Through their partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Embark boasts the most in-depth dog DNA testing on the market and a 99.9% accuracy rating on the results. It’s no wonder this leading brand has over 20,000 5-star reviews!
About Embark
Though Embark’s sibling co-founders had different educational backgrounds, the Boyko brothers traveled the world together with a shared purpose – to improve the lives of dogs everywhere. Adam, a Biomedical Sciences professor, and Ryan, with degrees in Public Health, Ecology, and Computer Sciences, collected swabs from dogs all over the globe, including remote areas of Europe, Asia, and South America. By performing rigorous analysis on these samples, in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, they were able to develop the most accurate home DNA test for dogs on the market today. This Boston-headquartered company, with offices in New York and a laboratory in San Diego, works closely with veterinarians and canine geneticists to further their ongoing research with one goal at the forefront – to use science to improve dog care.
Today, Embark offers a variety of home testing kits, but their Dog DNA Breed & Health Test is perhaps the most popular. Any caregiver for a dog with an unknown background will find the results of this DNA test useful. By receiving information about their dog’s exact breed mix, probable adult size, behavioral traits, and genetic health risks, pet parents can now better tailor their care plan for their dog. And knowing more about that cute mystery pup just adopted from the shelter can also improve the bond between human and animal. That is something that any dog owner (and any dog) can benefit from.
Dog DNA Breed & Health Test Overview
Here is an overview of the Embark Dog DNA Breed & Health Test. This easy-to-use home testing kit gives owners the most reliable answers to all their questions about their mystery pups, strengthening the dog-owner bond and improving the care these dogs receive.
Pricing
The regular price of Embark’s combination Breed & Health Test is typically around $199, though they often run sales or provide discount coupon codes. While it may seem pricey, this test is actually very similar in cost to the popular human DNA at-home test kits available. And when you consider the abundance of useful information you will receive from each test, the value of this product is undeniable. In addition, shipping within the US is always free, and their website has an option to pay in installments as well.
Embark Dog DNA tests are also available from a variety of online retailers, so if cost is a concern, you can shop around for the best deal.
What to Expect
When you receive your test kit in the mail, the first thing to do will be to create an account on the Embark website (or log in to your existing account), follow the instructions to “Add a Dog,” and activate the test code. This will link your dog’s sample to your account as soon as you drop it in the mail, so you can track the shipment and receive regular updates as to the status of Embark’s testing process.
Next you need to collect your dog’s sample. To ensure you do this properly, read all instructions prior to beginning the sample collection. You will need to swab the inside of your dog’s cheek for 30-60 seconds before inserting the saliva-coated swab into the test tube, capping the tube, and shaking it up to mix the fluid in the tube. Then place the tube in the plastic pouch provided, place the sealed pouch in the prepaid envelope, and drop the envelope off at the post office. Results should be available in 2-4 weeks.
Results
Embark will inform you by email when your dog’s test results are ready, and you can follow a link in the email to their website to view results in your account. After a slide presentation of your pup’s unique breed makeup, you can go on to view the health results, as well as the probable physical traits your dog may exhibit. All this information can help determine likely training requirements, appropriate veterinary care, and give insight into the best food and exercise regimen to support your dog’s future health and happiness.
Your dog’s results will always be available to you by logging in to your Embark account, and you may even receive periodic email updates, such as when new relatives are found.
Specs
- Tests for over 350 breeds
- Ancestry profile and family tree
- Canine relative finder
- Screens for over 250 hereditary disease risks
- Genetic diversity measurement
In Summary
Pros
- 9% accuracy rate
- Identifies any relatives in the database
- Easy-to-follow sampling instructions
- Only one test swab required
- Free US shipping
- Prepaid return postage
- One account keeps track of all your tests
- Regular email updates during testing process
- Can send health risk results to your veterinarian
- Provides breed trait insights
- Can predict adult size
- Provides personalized care recommendations
Cons
- Pricey test kit
- Sample may be difficult to obtain from aggressive or fearful dog
- Results may take up to 4 weeks to receive
Key Features
Reliability
With nearly a decade of research experience, and a close partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Embark has become the most popular dog DNA testing company on the market because of the 99.9% accuracy of their results. Through the most in-depth genetic testing procedure of any of their competitors, Embark can test against a database of more than 350 dog breeds and over 250 hereditary diseases to provide owners with the most complete genetic profile possible.
Testing Results
Testing results from the Breed & Health kit include a myriad of useful and intriguing information. Not only does this DNA testing reveal the breeds involved in your dog’s ancestry, but you will also be provided with the most probable family tree going back to your dog’s great-grandparents. On the health side, Embark tests for the genetic predisposition to over 250 health conditions, significantly more than the leading competitor. Your dog’s unique DNA also provides insights into your dog’s most likely behavioral and physical traits, which Embark will include in your dog’s profile.
Significance
Determining a dog’s breed makeup is often pursued by owners just for fun, but there are benefits to knowing this information. By knowing your dog’s ancestry, you can be aware of how big your dog may get, what kind of grooming requirements it may have, the most likely behavioral traits, and what genetic diseases it could be susceptible to. By performing health screening, Embark can better determine if your dog is at risk for certain diseases by revealing if the dog carries the gene for that health condition. Knowing this allows owners to create a customized care plan for their pets.
Are Embark Dog DNA Test Kits a Good Value?
Embark’s DNA testing kits are not exactly cheap, but they are comparable to the popular at-home human DNA testing kits on the market because the science is essentially the same. The Dog DNA Breed & Health Test can generally be purchased for around $200 or less, and considering the wealth of information you will get, and the accuracy of the results, this test is well worth the price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Embark’s testing results reliable?
Embark is not only partnered with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, but they have been in business for almost a decade and have over 1 million samples in their database. This company consistently achieves a 99.9% accuracy rate in their testing results, higher than the competition.
Will it be hard to get a sample from my dog?
That depends on the dog, but the swabbing process is not terribly invasive – the tip of the swab only needs to be inserted between the dog’s lower cheek and gums and swirled around for 30-60 seconds to allow maximum absorption of saliva. Your dog’s mouth does not even have to be opened for this procedure. If your dog does not enjoy handling of its face, you may need to have a second person to assist you during this process.
What can I do to ensure I obtain a good sample?
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS FIRST. Do not swab your dog’s cheek within 30 minutes of giving any food or treats. Avoid letting your dog chew on the swab. Swab for a full 60 seconds. Insert the swab into the tube so that the sample tip is in the fluid, close the cap, and shake 10 times. Now your dog’s sample is ready to mail!
How long will I have to wait for the results?
Most results will be ready in 2-4 weeks, and Embark will email you regular updates during the process to keep you informed.
Our Experience With Embark Dog DNA Breed & Health Test
When I adopted Candy, all I knew was she was a cute fuzz face with golden fur, a short nose, and an underbite. The shelter called her a Shih Tzu-mix, but I was anxious to have her DNA tested, since the results of my other dogs’ testing were both big surprises. Rooney was tested by Embark a couple years ago, and Turtle by a different brand over a decade ago, but Rooney’s results seemed more in-depth than Turtle’s. So, I decided to stick with Embark, the most popular brand on the market.
I already had an online account for Rooney’s results, so upon receiving my order, I simply logged into my Embark account and clicked “Add a Dog” to enter Candy’s name and activate her kit. At this point, Embark gives you the option to upload a photo of your dog, but I have never done this prior to receiving my results, just so I know the testing company isn’t influenced by the appearance of the dog beforehand.
Even though I was familiar with the sampling process, I read through the instructions to refresh my memory before pulling Candy onto my lap to swab the inside of her cheek. She was a little unsure, but I took it slow and offered lots of praise and she did just fine. Once I had the sample, I packaged it up and shipped it off. From the time I mailed the sample to the day I got the email that Candy’s results were ready was only about 2 weeks, and I immediately dove in to view Candy’s genetic profile.
The first topic in the results was her breed profile. Candy is 39.1% Shih Tzu, 36.9% Pekingese, 12.3% Yorkshire Terrier, and 11.7% “Supermutt.” This means she has a lot of breeds in her background but Embark was able to find trace percentages of Chihuahua, Poodle, and Maltese in her lineage. I was not surprised by any of these breeds, given her appearance – we suspected Pekingese due to her long body, short legs, and a tail that flips over her back. It’s also no surprise that Shih Tzus and Pekingese are devoted companions, as Candy always wants to be with me. Embark predicted her adult weight as 13 lbs, which is right on the money!
In her health screening, Embark determined Candy has a low “Coefficient of Inbreeding” percentage at just 4% (many purebreds have a higher COI than this). I was also glad to know she only has one genetic health risk to watch for, Intervertebral Disc Disease. Candy is such a clumsy pup, I have already been cautious about injury prevention. Now I know we must take extra precautions to prevent strain on her back.
Having all this information about Candy is not only useful in providing her with the best care, but also makes me love the little critter that much more. And the relative finder was fun to view – Candy sure has some cute cousins!
Conclusion
Embark Dog DNA Breed & Health Test is a great way to feel closer to your dog, understand how to better interact with them, and to finally be able to answer the question, “What kind of dog is that?” But the best reason to buy an Embark DNA test is to facilitate a longer, healthier, happier life for your pup. By knowing key behavioral traits, breed health considerations, and genetic disease risk, pet owners can use their dogs’ Embark results to tailor an appropriate care plan. And giving our dogs the best lives possible is priceless.
