If you’re fascinated by your four-legged friend’s heritage (and, aren’t we all?), then the best dog DNA tests will help you gain a better understanding of their ancestral roots.
For example, maybe you’ve always wondered whether they’ve got a little German Shepherd in them? Or you’ve noticed your Labradoodle is more ‘Labrador’ than ‘Poodle’? Along with breaking down the genetic makeup of your dog, a DNA dog test enables you to finally reveal (or confirm) what breeds your pet pooch is a beautiful mix of.
Plus, and perhaps more importantly, a DNA dog test will help you identify genetic mutations that might be common in certain breeds. They also help you check for any health issues that your dog could have. Some DNA dog test kits have extensive breed databases that can help identify more than 350 varieties and types and also test for more than 200 genetic diseases Meaning? If any potential health issues are highlighted, you can make a trip to the vet and get them seen sooner, rather than later.
Just note: the best dog DNA test for you and your pooch will differ from one pet parent to another. Are you looking for an in-depth analysis of the genetics of your dog? Are you testing for a hereditary condition? Or, are you just inquisitive about their breed and therefore looking for a cheaper test alternative?
To help you find out all this and more, we’ve compiled the best dog DNA tests on the market right now. Or, if you're still wondering 'what breed is my dog', see our expert's top tips on how to work it out.
PetsRadar’s pick of the best dog DNA tests
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Initially, we weren't impressed with the Wisdom Panel Essential pet DNA test experience, mostly because the brush resembled something a dentist would use to clean the gaps between teeth, rather than something you would use to gently take a genetic sample from your dog’s mouth.
Wisdom Panel recommends swirling the swab around your dog’s gumline for at least 15 seconds, which sounds easy in theory but it was really difficult as our reviewer’s dog hates being fiddled with. However, the brand does send two swabs in case your dog destroys one, or one swab doesn’t have enough DNA to read. So you’re unlikely to have to go through the process again.
Even though our tester couldn’t get close to 15 seconds of swabbing their dog’s cheek, there was enough DNA on one of the swabs to get our results. Our reviewer was thrilled by the speed at which they heard back from Wisdom Panel, especially seeing as they sent their dog’s sample off just before Christmas. Another plus? The brand emails you to assure you your sample has arrived, and within 12 days our tester had an email in their inbox with a link to a full breakdown of their dog’s DNA.
The results that our tester got were in-depth, containing a full breed breakdown for their dog (who is a mixed breed lurcher, in case you’re wondering), which genes are responsible for various aspects of her appearance, a genetic health check and records from any family members who have also used the service (but do note: you can opt out of this bit). Overall, the results were extremely in-depth, and informative and our tester was so excited to find out exactly what makes up their dog.
For the price we paid, the amount of information our reviewer got back seemed more than worth the cost of the kit.
If you want an in-depth analysis of your pet pooch then this kit from Embark is what you need on your shopping list. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive tests on the market, your dog will be tested to identify its breed makeup and be screened for any possible health issues. The Embark database contains over 350 dog breeds, types, and varieties – pretty much every breed recognized by the World Canine Organization. It uses a research-grade genotyping platform developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. So whatever breed your dog is, this test is likely to list it.
But this kit offers so much more than just a breed breakdown. Alongside its database of breeds, it tests for over 200 genetic diseases, including some of the more common, such as MDR1 drug sensitivity, glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy. This will help you determine if your pet pooch needs any medication or treatment to give it a healthier, happier, and longer life.
Getting your dog’s DNA is simple and straightforward with the kit including all the necessary equipment. Open the packaging and place the swab inside your dog’s mouth. To make sure you get the best results, make sure you don’t touch the swab. Expect to get results within two to four weeks. A video tutorial on the Embark website gives precise instructions on how to take a sample. The website is also the key to getting access to your easy-to-read test information. Simply sign in, register your dog, and activate your kit.
As an added bonus, you can find out if pet pooch has any brothers or sisters using Embark’s canine relative finder. If your dog has a match with any other dog on the database then Embark will let you know and tell you how close a relative they are. You and your pup could be making new friends very soon.
The accurate identification of your pet pooch’s breed is often the primary purpose of taking a DNA dog test, and this is what this kit focuses on. It is similar to sister product Embark Dog DNA Test Breed & Health Kit, but you have the privilege of paying less. This makes it perfect if you only want breed identification, and are not so concerned about health issues. But it is worth noting that the full breed and identification kit doesn't cost a huge amount more. So if you can afford it, and want both breed and health options, it makes sense to choose the more comprehensive kit.
However, there is an alternative. You can purchase the breed identification kit now, and upgrade to the combined kit at a later date without too much hassle. You won’t need any additional swabs or kits, as Embark will already have your dog’s DNA, and you will already be registered on the website. All you need to do is log in to your Embark account, and enhance your package for the same difference in price as if you were purchasing the physical product. And as an added bonus, you won’t have to wait the usual 2-4 weeks for results.
But even if you don’t make the upgrade immediately, your fur friend will still be tested against over 350 dog breeds, types, and varieties using its tried and tested research-grade genotyping platform. You will still be getting the comprehensive and accurate breed breakdown via the website and access to the canine relative finder to find out if your dog has any relatives you can go and say hello to. Options, options, options. What are you going to do?
If you need to know everything about your fur friend then you need a comprehensive testing kit like this one. This DNA dog test kit is a step up from the Wisdom Panel Essentials kit, hence its grand moniker of Premium. It contains all the information you get in the cheaper kit, but adds in a host of extra health and traits tests to give you a more rounded report of your dog’s genetic makeup.
You will still get access to the Wisdom database to test for 350+ breeds and varieties to uncover your dog’s breeds. This makes sure that you will get an in-depth insight into your fur friend’s breed makeup, with the test going right down to 1%. But more importantly, the test will take a big step up from the reduced list of 25+ medical complications. The Premium kit provides over 200+ health tests, including vision, weight, mobility, and to see if your pet pooch has drug sensitivities like MDR1. Still included in the kit are the 35+ traits tests which will help you discover exactly how one of a kind your dog is. It will reveal the factors behind hair length, ideal weight, muzzle shape, and more.
All this information is accessible via the easy-to-use website, and will help determine if any hereditary conditions or diseases are likely to affect your dog’s health, and allow you to get on top of them immediately.
This is a DNA dog test kit that embraces all the core components needed to help identify the different breeds that make up your fur friend, but it also looks to give a little more. Like all good DNA dog test kits, it has an extensive database that has 350+ breeds and varieties to help uncover your dog’s breed, which it presents in percentages for quick and easy identification. And to help your pet pooch live a happier and healthier life it tests for over 200 common genetic diseases that can affect different breeds. It also includes a three-generation family tree to see where your pooch has come from.
But its big focus is on puppies and helping them deal with any issues early on and providing a life plan to help them as they grow and make sure they enjoy life to the full. Each report includes a personalized plan based on your dog's breed, age, weight, gender, geographic location, and lifestyle. If you are testing a pup under 12 months of age it predicts how big your puppy will grow offering customized daily energy needs analysis and dietary recommendations.
To complete the life plan Orivet includes a schedule that you can follow with your vet, this includes nutritional suggestions for your dog, routine health care advice, and alerts to make sure your dog doesn’t miss any important vaccinations and appointments.
You’ll find this swathe of undoubtedly useful information via the Orivet website, although be warned that the site is not the easiest to use. It takes time to navigate, but once you get used to it, it’s a goldmine of doggy data.
This is the least expensive DNA dog test in this guide, so offers good value for money if you aren’t on the lookout for an exact breakdown of every single breed that your pet pooch may be made up of. The Dna My Dog test kit has a smaller database of breeds – around a third of breeds, compared with Embark and Wisdom DNA dog testing kits – but it still retains the most common breeds, such as German Shepherd, Bulldog, Yorkies, and Affenpinschers. But, it doesn’t test to see if your fur friend has any wolf or coyote in their breeding history, so if you think that you have some wild dog, a rare breed, or a breed of rare origin then this kit probably won’t provide you with the results that you are looking for.
But the test doesn’t just provide a breakdown of breeds. It also gives an insight into genetic health concerns and if your dog has a predisposition to diseases, although it won’t determine your dog’s genetic age. To get your hands on your dog’s DNA, the test kit includes a painless and easy-to-apply cheek swab. Simply rub the swab on the inside of your dog’s mouth, package it up, and send the free-to-post sample to the lab.
Results are pretty swift – typically, they are emailed to you within two weeks of the receipt of your sample. Moreover, you will get a custom certificate of the breeds found, along with a percentage breakdown of the levels of each breed, and essential health information.
How to choose the best DNA dog test
DNA dog tests primarily serve two purposes: identifying the different breeds in your dog’s makeup, and testing for any hereditary or common health problems associated with specific breeds.
The less expensive DNA dog tests typically have a single purpose, which is to identify the different breeds in your fur friend’s genetic makeup. These are perfectly adequate if that is all you want to know. But if you are going to DNA test your dog, you seriously need to consider kits that provide breed identification and health screening, like the Wisdom Panel Premium kit and Embark Dog DNA Test Breed & Health Kit. These will help identify associated genetic diseases and other health troubles that can be dealt with earlier rather than later.
The Essential version of the Wisdom kit has a reduced number of health tests, but it does have a very tempting price point. Alternatively, the lite version of the Embark kit is a great starting point, as it allows you to upgrade to the full kit via the website without having to retest.
If you want more than breed and health information, the Orivet Dog DNA Test includes dietary advice, a personalized life plan, and a schedule to make sure important appointments are not missed. Finally, if you want a simple breed identification at a low price that will be with you quickly, you need to try the DNA Dog test.
