Best Dog DNA Test: DNA My Dog vs Wisdom Panel vs Embark


Embark DNA	Wisdom Panel	DNA My Dog
Winner	Runner-Up

Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Dogs tend to have more than one breed in their blood, which begs the question of every puppy parent, “what breed is my dog?” There are several products on the market that allow you to send in a test to determine your dog’s breed. A simple swab on the inside of their cheeks will give scientists the sample they need to accurately determine the breed, much like a human DNA test to find ancestry information, these tests are virtually the same process.

Dog DNA Test Reviews

Let’s take a look at three of the biggest brands that test dog DNA that is easily available for anyone to purchase. These reviews are ranked by ease of use, affordability, accuracy, data generated, and best overall performance in every category.

Winner: Embark DNA Testing Kit Review

The main purpose for the Embark testing kit is to ensure the healthy aging of your best furry friend. Almost every breed has predisposed medical conditions that always rear their ugly heads, so staying out in front of them can avoid expensive vet bills and even fatal diseases and other medical problems. It all starts by knowing the exact percentage of breed your dog is so that they can know what the common conditions are, and they even have extensive research on mixed breeds and their common medical problems, which makes this test the most accurate and informational.

Pros

Over 200,000 genetic markers are tested with almost 100% accuracy to build the specific percentage of breed mix. Each individual chromosome builds the results. Veterinarian universities, hospitals, orthopedic foundations, research labs, and many other professional and scientific companies and groups trust Embark to deliver the most expansive results scientifically possible. The results are electronically uploaded to their website, so you can log in and view it at any time, and it will stay there as long as you have an account. On that account, they have what they call a ‘Vet Report’, which can be provided to your veterinarian, so they are aware of the data, and can treat your pup accordingly. The test covers the following:

Blood
Eyes
Clinical
Heart
Kidneys and Bladder
Immune System
Metabolic
Spinal Cord and Brain Function
Muscle Systems
Neuro-Muscular Systems
Skin
Skeletal System

Cons

This test is about 2.5x more expensive than most other tests, so not everyone can fork up the money for this expensive DNA test.

Runner-Up: Wisdom Panel Review

The Wisdom Panel tests for 250 different breeds, unlike other tests which don’t test for as many. The simple test allows you to have your pup tested for MDR1, which is the ‘drug sensitivity screening’ that is associated with your dog’s DNA, so your vet can know how sensitive they are to medicine and could save their lives. The test is so accurate, it can go all the way back to your dog’s great-grandparents. The kit comes with paid shipping back to the lab, a cheek swab, container, and instructions. This company does not want a photo of your dog.

Pros

It’s a dog DNA test that actually works! It is similar in price to some other tests, but has a lot more comprehensive results, which is so helpful for puppy parents to have. They promise you’ll have your results in 2-3 weeks, but most people actually receive them in two weeks or less. The DNA test is an officially licensed process that has been tested and proven to work exactly as intended. The test uncovers information like the percentage of breeds your dog is, understanding their appearance, behaviors, common medical problems, temperament, exercise needs, job needs, training needs, and really any other information a person would find useful to know about their dog.

Cons

After researching several other kits, the price is competitive, but a bit too expensive, because of what you get for that price. Other tests, like Embark, give you so much more for the money, while this test gives you everything that every other mediocre test gives; the test just gives it with a very high accuracy, which makes it only slightly better than the others.

Honorable Mention: DNA My Dog Review

The DNA testing kit has been around since the creation of the technology, and they have always charged a low price for the service. This test is a simple one. The DNA My Dog kit comes with a swab, a tube to protect the sample and instructions.

Pros

The company has a fast response time of just a week or two with results and even faster with questions or queries about results after the fact. It is an affordable service that almost anyone can budget for. The test itself is very easy to take. Some people swear by the results, but there are quite a lot who don’t, so be aware that the results may vary.

Cons

The DNA My Dog database is not as large as some of the other tests, only testing for 84 different dog breeds. A lot of people are convinced that this company is a scam, and has prepared results using the photograph provided by dog owners, and not actually doing a DNA test. The company has since changes it’s policy, and owners only need to provide a photo of their dog, if they would like it included in the final report; however, I would still be quite wary using this test for my dog.

Final Verdict: DNA My Dog vs Wisdom Panel vs Embark

These tests are the most popular among dog DNA tests on the market, but there is only one clear winner – Embark. Although, one person may have a lot more luck with one compared to another. I think it is safe to say the results offered by Embark are going to be more accurate, and more comprehensive than DNA My Dog. While it all depends on what you are hoping to find out about your dog, your budget, and what you expect the results to be, I will definitely be using Embark again in the future.