Dog DNA Test

Have you ever wondered about getting a DNA Test done for your dog? Most people do it to find out what breed their dog belongs to. The dogs on which the test is done are therefore, mainly belonging to mixed breeds. Doing a Dog DNA Test has been quite a vogue since some time now.

So, we see a lot of dog owners asking many questions about the effects of DNA tests, what kind of test is the best, etc. This article will deal with many questions pertaining to Dog DNA Test. We think that giving this a read will brief you on the matter and will be able to satisfy your curiosity.

 Best Dog DNA Test

#1 ACuteADay - Embark Breed Identification Kit | Most Accurate Dog DNA Test | Test 350+ Dog Breeds | Breed ID Kit w
  • 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 YOUR PUP'S RELATIVES: Find and connect with your pup's family through the world’s first canine relative finder. Over 90% of dogs tested by Embark have a close relative, like a cousin, and 12% discover a direct family member.
  • EXCELLENT SERVICE & FAST RESULTS: Have a question about your results? Just talk to one of our dedicated vets or geneticists. Embark generally delivers results in 2-4 weeks and keep you updated every step of the way. Embark kits are best used by the date printed directly on the swab to ensure DNA extraction goes smoothly. In the event of a swab that exceeds its best by date or a DNA sample failure due to materials, Embark support will provide a fresh swab upon purchase verification.
#2 ACuteADay - Embark | Dog DNA Test | Breed & Health Kit | Breed Identification & Canine Genetic Health Screening
  • HUNDREDS OF ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: 75% of dogs are either at risk or a carrier for a genetic health condition. Embark's panel tests 230+ 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.
  • 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.
#3 ACuteADay - Koko DNA Test for Dogs Starter - (Breeds and Traits Reports) - Updates at no Cost
  • 2 DNA TESTS FOR DOGS IN 1 KIT. We don't just offer a single breed DNA test or a single genetic traits test for dogs, we have combined 2 different tests into one, analyzing over 710,000 markers, the results will be ready in a period of 4-6 weeks.
  • BREED ID AND PHYSICAL TRAITS. You will be able to know which breeds your dog belongs to, among hundreds of them, and you will have information about dozens of physical characteristics in addition to the breeds, everything you need to know about how genetics have defined your dog's body.
  • UPDATES WITHOUT FEES. Our test is constantly updated, incorporating new features and functionalities, these updates are free and will be automatically implemented for you at no cost when they are developed.
  • UPGRADE WHENEVER YOU WANT: You have the possibility to expand your dog DNA test with over 130 reports on how genetics influence your dog's health with just one click and without the need to repeat the sample collection.
  • PRIVATE AND PROTECTED. Koko's genetic test is regulated by European legislation and meets all conditions, guaranteed reliability and encrypted data, as hidden and protected as the shoes that your pet steals and you never find. Try us!
#4 ACuteADay - Orivet Genopet Dog DNA Test | Dog Breed Test Kit, Genetic Testing, Heritable Health Risks and Life P
  • Breed Identification DNA test for Dogs: Orivet’s industry-leading Breed Identification DNA test for dogs screens for over 350 breeds, types, and varieties of canines. Your report will include the percentage of each breed that makes up your dog.
  • Fast Turnaround: After we receive your dog’s sample, your results will be available in your online account in 2 - 3 weeks.
  • Easy to use: Orivet’s Collection swabs are designed to capture buccal (cheek) cells quickly and easily. This process takes less than a minute to complete. After activating and allowing time for the swabs to dry, your sample can be on its way to us in 15 minutes!
  • Trusted Results: For over a decade, Orivet has been trusted by veterinarians and breeders as a worldwide leader in canine genetic research. Now you can get the same innovative testing professionals use for your own dog!
  • LifePlan Included: Your Breed Identification dog DNA test includes Orivet’s LifePlan. This personalized wellness plan is based on the dog breeds discovered, your dog's age, weight, gender, geographic location, and lifestyle.
#5 ACuteADay - Embark | Dog DNA Test for Purebred Pets | Canine Genetic Health Screening & Genetic Diversity Score
  • HUNDREDS OF ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: 75% of dogs are either at risk or a carrier for a genetic health condition. Embark's panel tests 230+ 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 VALIDATION: Embark’s test accurately identifies more breeds and varieties than any other test on the market, so you can confirm your dog’s ancestry and genetic breed.
  • 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.
#6 ACuteADay - MyHeritage DNA Test Kit: Genetic Testing for Ancestry & Ethnicity Covering 2,114 Geographic Regions
  • DETAILED ETHNICITY RESULTS & MORE REGIONS: High-resolution breakdown covers 42 ethnicities and pinpoints your origins among 2,114 geographic regions, revealing the paths your ancestors traveled over generations. Results are delivered via a fun, animated experience.
  • SIMPLE CHEEK SWAB: Collect a cheek swab at home, it takes only 2 minutes and you'll receive your results in 3–4 weeks.
  • DNA MATCHING: Huge global database enables matching to relatives all over the world based on your DNA. MyHeritage is the #1 service for European DNA matching.
  • HIGHEST PRIVACY STANDARDS: Highest technological standards and privacy measures, all for an affordable price. You are the sole owner of your data and all of your information is encrypted.
  • FAMILY TREE INTEGRATION: Make the most of your DNA results when you combine them with a MyHeritage plan. Access advanced DNA features and billions of historical records as you build your family tree and discover your family history.

Dog DNA Test

 

What is Dog DNA Test?

You might not have heard of DNA testing in dog earlier but it is pretty common among dog owners today. Just like humans, dogs too have DNA, also known as deoxyribonucleic acid. Every living thing contains a DNA which is unique in itself and can be used to identify genes, diseases, breeds, traits, etc.

Companies that deal with DNA testing in dogs, have a broad database where they have markers of genes or breeds of dogs. When they receive the DNA samples of your dog, they match it to their database to find out whatever information you need to know about your dog.

 

How much does a Dog DNA Test cost?

A Dog DNA Test can really be anything starting from $60 and shoot up. The pricing, as we have seen, depends all on the quality. By quality here, we mean that you will get the most accurate results if your pay a bit more money. This means that DNA tests are different from one another just like any dog products of different companies. These days many dog product brands have started to sell DNA testing kits. All of them mostly have cheek swab samples for testing.

There are also other DNA tests which are more professional so to say. They will require you to visit a veterinarian who can perform the test professionally with blood samples. But, if you want to go for a test kit that is readymade, then we would ask you to buy products from a company that has a large database. This will mean that there are a lot of records of dog breeds on that company’s database and the accuracy of the test will be more.

 

How to make use of a Dog DNA Test?

Dog DNA test kits might vary slightly from one another in their usage but the primary procedure is same. Here are the steps:

  • First, you have to take out the testing swab from the packet very carefully so as not it come in contact with anything.
  • The next step is to put the swab inside the cheek of your dog and let it stay there for about 20 seconds.
  • The swab then needs to be placed in the insert section and left to dry for about 5 minutes.
  • The whole process till now needs to be repeated with the second swab.
  • Go online and activate the DNA test with the company from which you purchased the kit. You will be given a confirmation number which you have to write on the label number 1.
  • This label then has to be put on the swab sleeve and left to dry after inserting them back into the box. Fight the urge to seal the swab in the cover as this will eliminate the chances of getting an accurate result.
  • Pack the box properly and mail it. The results will arrive soon!

Why to do a Dog DNA Test?

With major strides taken in science and technology, DNA tests have become more detailed in the information they give to you. Dog DNA test will tell you a lot more than just the breed of your dog. Know about the possible benefits of a Dog DNA test below:

 

The breed

 This is the most obvious result of a DNA test in dogs. Mostly done for dogs with a mixed parentage, a DNA test in such cases will tell you if your dog is a pre breed or not. Also, you can know what breed markers are there on your dog’s body in terms of percentage. Dog owners love to see the parentage of their dogs unravel.

 

Traits

A DNA test done on your dog will give you better information on the growth of your dog. A lot of dogs grow different than other dogs of the same breed. A Dog DNA Test will tell you what kind of growth you can expect. You will also know about the possible color of the coat, the performance of the dog, certain special body features, etc.

 

Prevention of diseases

Since Dog DNA tests also give information about certain diseases that particular breeds are prone to, you can prevent those illnesses in your pup. Knowing that your dog can have some diseases, you will be better equipped to watch out for symptoms at an early stage. This is not to mean that those diseases are inevitable but prevention is always better to keep your dog healthy.

 

What is better: a kit or a lab test?

If all you want to know from a Dog DNA Test is the breed of your pup, we will suggest that DNA kits work well in that case. But for more detailed information like body build, genetic mutations, illness history, etc, we are of the opinion that a professionally done DNA test at a Vet’s is better any day. You will have more faith on the latter.

Getting a Dog DNA Test kit is easy. All you have to do is figure out the company which you want to zero down on for the DNA testing of your dog. Then you buy a kit, test it on your dog, send the samples back, and wait patiently for the final results. And there you go! You have the information you need about your dog in no time.

 

Amazon Best Rated Products - Last Updated on 2023-09-23.

DISCLAIMER: There are affiliate links on this page. This means that at no cost to you, we will receive a small commission if you purchase through our link.