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Dog DNA tests are hugely popular among pet parents—and it’s not hard to see why. They offer fascinating data on your pet’s ancestry, breed makeup, and genetic health concerns. Some can even help you find your pup’s family members.
But at roughly $100 to $150 per test, they’re not a small investment. Which leads a lot of pet parents to wonder how you can choose between all the brands on the market. We’ve put them to the test and consulted the experts to help you decide.
Not sure where to start? Hop down to our FAQ on what dog DNA tests can and can’t tell you, or look at a comparison of the leading brands.
Dog DNA Test Kit Comparison
The top four dog DNA tests on the market are Wisdom Panel, Embark, Ancestry, and Basepaws. Overall, we’ve found Wisdom Panel’s kit tends to offer the best value, while Embark takes the cake for genetic markers. Ancestry offers a good breed-focused basic, and Basepaws is an up-and-comer to watch. All four offered good results we felt were reliable.
Test | Wisdom Panel | Embark | Ancestry | Basepaws |
Breeds Identified | 365 | 350 | 400 | 330 |
Traits Identified | 30 (more available with premium) | 55 (requires premium test for $149.00) | 30 | 30 |
Genetic Health Insights | 51 (more available with premium) | 250 (requires premium test for $149.00) | NA | 280 |
Relative Finder | Yes (99.9% chance of finding a relative) | Yes (90% chance of finding a relative) | Yes | No |
Turnaround | 2-3 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
Price | $84.98-$159.99 | $99–$149 | $99 | $89–$149 |
1. Best All-Around Value: Wisdom Panel Essential
The Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Collection Kit offers a lot of bang for your buck. The basic test:
- Screens for 365 breeds
- Looks for 51 physical traits
- Tests for 30 health-related genetic markers
Breed screening
Wisdom Panel’s breed screening looks at the genetic markers for over 365 breeds to determine the breed makeup of your particular pup in terms of percentages. You’ll also see the company’s best guess at the breed of your pup’s ancestors, from parents to grandparents and great grandparents.
Physical and behavioral traits
Wisdom Panel divides traits into “physical” and “behavioral” categories. Your dog’s physical traits are, for the most part, the ones you can see, like a dark muzzle, pricked ears, or a long and curly coat. There are, however, some subtler points of interest—like whether your dog has a gene for reduced shedding.
Behavioral traits are a newer feature. They predict whether your pet has behavioral quirks that may be genetic, like crossed paws when they rest or a tendency to motion sickness. A full list of traits requires an upgrade to the premium test.
Genetic insights
Wisdom Panel tests for a genetic propensity toward 30 disorders that can show up in a pet’s early years, including Intervertebral Disc Disease, MDR1 medication sensitivity, and von Willebrand’s Disease.
Knowing these ahead of time can impact the care decisions you make for your pup. That said, these disorders tend to be breed-specific, which may make them more valuable to some pet parents than others.
Find your dog’s relatives
With a database of over four million dogs, Wisdom Panel says it gives pet parents the best chance of finding a relative—a 99.9% chance. Pet parents will receive results that identify three categories of relatives, categorized from “close” to “distant.” One tester was particularly excited to track down her rescue dog’s puppies, identified as “sons,” and compare notes.
User experience
We found Wisdom Panel one of the easiest test kits to use. First, register your test online. Next, collect a DNA sample from your dog by rolling a swap gently around their gums. Finally, pack up your swab in the pre-set packaging and send in your sample. Pet parents can expect results within 2 to 3 weeks.
Other Wisdom Panel tests
Wisdom Panel also offers:
- Wisdom Panel Premium, which tests for 235+ genetic conditions, 13 additional behavior traits, free vet consultations based on your results, and data about your dog’s genetic diversity.
- A breed identification kit for cats, which can test for physical traits and provide health insights.
Rover’s review
For our testers, the Wisdom Panel Essential test offered the best value for our money. The test gave plausible, detailed accounts of our dogs’ breeds, nailed the physical traits, and gave us great results with its huge database of dog family members. If it has a shortcoming, it’s likely to be its health testing, which is limited in the essential version and also quite breed-specific.
Find on Amazon Find on Chewy2. Best for Genetics: Embark Dog DNA Test and Breed Identification Kit
The Embark Dog DNA Breed Identification test was developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Which makes sense, since it’s genetic health screening is a powerhouse. The test:
- Screens for 350 breeds
- Looks for 55 physical traits (breed + health kit only)
- Tests for 270 health-related genetic markers (breed + health kit only)
Breed screening
The Embark Dog DNA Breed Identification test claims to offer the most accurate breed breakdown of any dog DNA product. It even checks for village dog, wolf, and coyote ancestry, which makes it an especially good choice for mystery mutts.
Like Wisdom Panel, Embark offers a guess at your pup’s family tree dating back to their great-grandparents—but the company adds “the routes that distant ancestors took around the world.”
Traits
The 55 physical traits that Embark tests for are similar to Wisdom Panel’s. But Embark has an additional “genetic diversity” score, which measures the coefficient of inbreeding. It’s a useful marker if you suspect your dog may have come from a puppy mill, and it can help you make health decisions going forward.
The bad news? Unlike with Wisdom Panel, the traits are part of Embark’s more expensive “Breed + Health” test. Embark also doesn’t flag potentially genetic “behavioral” traits.
Genetic insights
Embark’s genetic health screening looks for an impressive 270+ genetic health risks, and the breakdown impressed our testers. The list focuses particularly on degenerative diseases, drug sensitivities, and bleeding disorders—all of which are good to know about early in your dog’s life. It can also predict your puppy’s adult weight.
For pet parents concerned about their dog’s genetic health, Embark is a strong choice.
Find your dog’s relatives
Like Wisdom Panel, Embark also can help pet parents find their dog’s relatives. According to Embark, over 90% of the dogs tested have a close relative (think cousin) who has also been tested, and 12% of customers find a direct relative, such as a littermate or parent.
Embark’s pool is a little smaller than Wisdom Panel’s, so if finding relatives is your priority, Wisdom Panel may be the stronger choice—but Embark isn’t far behind.
User experience
Embark’s test works just like Wisdom Panel’s: register your kit, swab your dog’s cheek, and send back the pre-packaged swab in the mail. Results can take just a little longer than Wisdom Panel’s, with estimates ranging from 2 to 4 weeks.
More Embark tests
While the Breed Identification test only screens for breeds and family trees, Embark offers two related products:
- The Embark Breed and Health Kit, which tests for genetic health conditions and traits.
- A Dog Age Test for adult dogs, which is reportedly 77% accurate to within 12 months. Results typically take 4 to 5 weeks to process, and customers receive personalized life-stage tips based on the estimated age range.
Rover’s review
The Embark Dog DNA Breed Identification test has some great features for pet parents. Its accuracy and inclusion of less common dog ancestors—like coyotes—makes it a good choice for rescues, as does its optional age test. We like its genetic diversity scores for puppies who may have come from mills, and its health testing is ideal for breeds that see high incidences of genetic disease.
Find on Amazon Find on Chewy3. Best Basic Test: Ancestry Know Your Pet DNA
Ancestry.com is well-known for its human DNA testing, but it’s a relative newcomer to the pet scene. Its dog DNA test was developed in partnership with University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Massey University. From a cost perspective, it’s similar to competitors—but with fewer bells and whistles. The test:
- Screens for 400 breeds
- Looks for 30 physical and behavioral traits
- No health-related genetic markers
Breed screening
Ancestry can screen for 400 different breeds and types, which is more than both Embark and Wisdom tests, and claims to analyze two times as many DNA sequences. That said, it doesn’t flag geographic origins, like Embark, and it doesn’t helpfully distinguish between types (like “herding” or “guarding”) as Wisdom Panel does.
Traits
Ancestry predicts 30 physical and behavioral traits. Physical traits include things like body size, shape, coat length, and fur texture, while behavioral traits include things like “possessiveness” and “social anxiety.” It’s nice that these aren’t part of a more expensive package, as they are with Wisdom Panel. That said, our testers found their accuracy hit or miss.
Find your dog’s relatives
Ancestry lets you see a list of dogs on the platform who
- share at least 2% of your dog’s DNA or
- are nearby and share at least one of your dog’s top two breeds
It doesn’t have a feature where you can contact other pet parents or opt to be contacted yourself. It also doesn’t speculate on your dog’s probably ancestry, as both Wisdom Panel and Embark do.
User experience
Ancestry works just like Wisdom Panel and Embark. Pet parents will swab their dog’s mouth for 30 seconds, then place the swab in the test tube provided. Register your kit, stick it in the mail, and expect results within 2 to 4 weeks.
Once your results come in, you’ll be able to access the dashboard and review your results in three sections: Breed Report, DNA Matches, and Traits. Unlike some of the other testing kits out there, Ancestry does not offer insights into genetic health risks.
Rover’s review
Our testers found that Ancestry offers a strong breed test and liked the option to see results from 400 different breeds. But we did miss the bells and whistles offered by Embark and Wisdom Panel. But for breed-focused pet parents and those who appreciate Ancestry’s work with human DNA, it can be a good choice.
Find on Amazon Find on Chewy4. Up-And-Comer: Basepaws
Basepaws got its start as the premier cat DNA test, and its dog DNA test is the latest entrant to the competitive market. The test:
- Screens for 330 breeds
- Looks for 30 physical and behavioral traits
- Tests for 280 health-related genetic markers
Breed screening
Basepaws uses whole genome sequencing to compare your dog’s DNA to hundreds of different breeds and other canine populations. While the original test produced a “Breed Similarity Score,” the latest version shows the breeds and lineages that contribute to your dog’s genetic makeup as a percentage of your dog’s genome. Our testers liked the upgrade and felt that it offered a clearer picture of their pup’s ancestry.
Traits
Basepaws predicts 30 physical traits, including facial patterns, coat texture, tail type, and body size.
Genetic insights
Basepaws looks for markers for an impressive 280 genetic health conditions, including some of the more common diseases like cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, and skeletal dysplasia. Like Wisdom Panel and Embark, it flags whether your pet is “at risk,” a carrier, or clear for the genetic markers associated with the conditions.
User experience
The testing procedure is straightforward and familiar: swab your dog’s mouth, package it up, register your kit, and mail it. We found results were a little slower than the competition, taking upwards of six weeks.
More Basepaws tests
Basepaws also offers a suite of popular cat DNA tests, including their Breed + Health Cat DNA Test, which identifies component breeds and includes an oral health test.
Rover’s review
At the moment, the long turnaround times suggest Basepaws is still catching up to the competition. But our testers were blown away by the comprehensive Basepaws cat DNA test, which makes us think it won’t be long before they’re a force to be reckoned with in the dog world.
Find on Basepaws Find on AmazonOther Dog DNA Test Options
More and more dog DNA tests are entering the market, all offering similar types of results and similar sample retrieval models. Other tests include options like Orivet GenoPet and DNA My Dog, which both identify 350+ breeds, types, and varieties.
We’ve seen conflicting results with these companies, which get a mix of positive and mediocre reviews when it comes to breed accuracy, value, and turnaround time.
As you select the test that works best for your situation, consider consulting your veterinarian to determine what test might be right for your own curiosities and needs.
FAQs about Dog DNA Tests
To get some help understanding how dog DNA tests work, we interviewed Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD.
How accurate are dog DNA tests?
Dog DNA tests can be very accurate—but the more breeds in your dog’s makeup, the harder it is to get precise results.
Generally, if a DNA test says your dog has less than 15% of that breed’s DNA, it’s best to take the results with a grain of salt. Our Rover testers agree: they saw conflicting results in the 10-15% across both the Wisdom and Ancestry tests, but close agreement for larger percentages.
Better accuracy is also more possible when the company doing the testing has a larger database to draw from. As you consider which test is right for you, consider the size and diversity of the company’s genetic database.
Should you get a dog DNA test?
Dog DNA testing is rarely critical for your dog’s health and happiness—but it can offer some nice benefits.
First, it can help you create a more personalized health care plan for your pet. According to Dr. Mahaney, DNA tests can improve care for breeds prone to genetic mutations. For example, many herding breeds carry a genetic defect that impacts how they absorb anti-parasitic medicine. Knowing about it can make their care a lot more effective.
It can also be helpful to know your dog’s breed for training. Though breed doesn’t determine everything about your dog, it can explain some of your pup’s quirks. For example, knowing you have a high-drive herding dog might explain why you’re getting nipped in the ankles at dinner time. You can use training techniques developed for herding dogs to more effectively combat the behavior.
What can’t dog DNA tests do?
For starters, dog DNA tests can’t tell you if your dog is healthy. Dog DNA tests can provide some insights that pet parents can use, in partnership with their veterinarians, to better understand their dog’s health picture and care needs. But not all health issues are genetic—and tests can’t catch everything.
Dog breed identification tests also can’t tell you how old your adopted dog is. However, Embark has a Dog Age Test Kit on the market to help identify your dog’s stage of life, which is accurate within a year. This test is on the expensive side (about $120) and has mixed reviews about accuracy.
Should you pay more for health screening?
It depends. For pet parents who think they have a breed prone to testable genetic conditions (like Border Collies), a health screen can provide additional data worth the price point. And if you have specific concerns about a genetic disorder that’s included in the test, it never hurts to gather more information.
For pet parents who just want to know their dog’s breed makeup, the additional genetic information may not be as helpful.
Remember, even if you purchase a kit that provides genetic health or physical trait indicators, it can’t tell you how healthy your dog currently is. That’s a determination best left up to you and your vet.