Top 5 Best Dog DNA Tests

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When you first get a puppy, whether it is from a reputable breeder or adopted from a local humane society, you’re curious about your dog. Curiosity could be in regards to what other breeds your pup is mixed with, genetics, family history, illnesses, and more. Tests can be done for fun or to find out any potential health issues your pup could have later on in life. Either way, DNA testing can be helpful to you and your vet when it comes to understanding your dog’s background. Below are five best Dog DNA tests that we recommend and a thorough explanation as to what DNA testing is, what it accomplishes, and how you successfully perform it.

#Our Top 5 DNA Dog Test Kits

Embark

Coming it at number one, Embark’s test kit is highly suggested amongst many pet owners as well as professionals. Embark has an extremely large database that they compare samples too, more than 200,000 genetic markers. The test results also allows you to connect with other dogs that share the same DNA as your pup, which can be close or distant relatives. Embark tests and compares over 165 different diseases. This allows you to plan better for healthy aging for your pup and prepare for adult-onset diseases. The test covers the essentials such as, what breed your dog is as well as conditions your dog may have been predisposed to. Many customer reviews praise the accuracy of this test. The results from this test are delivered through a program that you can easily access on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. A downside is that they do take up to two months to deliver results, but having accurate and reliable results are better than inaccurate ones that were rushed. You have the option of getting multiple kits in a pack of two or three.

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification Kit

Our second recommendation is the Wisdom Panel 3.0 DNA kit. The database for the Wisdom Panel 3.0 has access to over 250 different dog breeds. With this kit, you are able to go back three generations worth of ancestry for your pup. An excellent bonus for this kit is that it automatically offers free screening for MDR1 at no additional cost. Results for this test typically come back within three weeks after being mailed out in the prepaid envelope that is included in the kit. Many pet owners have been satisfied and pleased with this kit and recommend it. The few downsides are that the test tends to give a large percentage of the results to the “other” category for dog breeds. There have been some minor problems with reading the test, however their customer service line will gladly help with reading the results. This test is one of the lower priced kits. If you are more interested in your dog’s bloodline and ancestry, this is a great test for you.

Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 2.5 DNA Test Kit

Our third recommendation for DNA dog test kits would be the Mars Vet Wisdom Panel 2.5. This kit can provide results about your pup’s adult weight range, breed identification, and more. This test also includes MDR1 testing. The Wisdom Panel 2.5 is not as in-depth and covers basic information. Results are usually received within three weeks and are sent via email. A downside to this test is that the results may tell you information you already know about your pup. This is another affordable DNA kit option.

Home DNA Orivet Dog DNA Test

The fourth dog DNA test that we believe fits in the top five is the HomeDNA Orivet Test. This test offers two dog DNA test options, one for mixed-breed identification and one specifically for health screening. Since there are two options, most pet owners pick either one or the other, if you would like both then Embark would be the ideal test. This test is pricier than Wisdom Panel’s tests however, Orivet has access to a larger database than Wisdom Panel. Orivet’s database searchers over 235 recognized breeds, therefore giving the results better accuracy. When using the health screening kit, the database compares to over 150 different canine health conditions. A downside is that results can take longer than a month and if you want to test for health and breed information, they are two separate tests. Each test is retailed at $125+ and can be found on the company website. The website does offer coupons, sometimes dropping the price of each kit by $10++.

DNA My Dog

The last test to make the top five is DNA My Dog. This test finds out your pup’s breed information as well as future potential health problems. The results will be mailed back within two to three weeks and comes with a certificate with your pup’s breed identification on it. A downside to this test is that there database compares only 84 different dog breeds and they require a photograph which might alter the results. This is the least expensive DNA dog kit.

Best Dog DNA Tests Reviewed

After picking our top five DNA dog tests, we will go over the benefits of each and which one we recommend the most. DNA My Dog was our fifth pick for our top five. This kit is great for pet owners not looking to break the bank on a test kit. The company does have a small database to compare against but if you believe that your dog may be one specific breed, such as lab or golden retriever, then this kit could satisfy your needs. The Home DNA Orivet test kit is our fourth recommendation. This kit is a bit expensive and you have to get two separate kits if you want to test for breed and health information. Either of the kits are good options for pet owners who may want to test for one or the other. If you already know your dog’s breed and want to find out more information about their future health, then this is an excellent option and does not cost as much as Embark. This kit also has a good-sized database for comparing samples to and offers coupons on their website.

Our third DNA dog test kit was the Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 2.5. This is a great option for testing your pup for breed information, but not so much for health information. A nice bonus is that they screen for MDR1 at no additional cost and the results are quick and easy. If you are not worried about health concerns for your pup, this is an affordable, accurate option! Wisdom Panel 3.0 Identification Kit landed second in our top five. This kit has access to a huge database and can trace back your dog’s ancestry by three generations. Like the Wisdom Panel 2.5, this kit is excellent for finding out breed information and offers free MDR1 screening. Both the Wisdom Panel 2.5 and 3.0 are good options for pet owners wanting to discover more about their dog’s breed, but not recommended if they are wanting to look more into their dog’s future health risks. Both of the Wisdom Panel kits are affordable, under $100.

Without a doubt, Embark’s DNA test kit is incredible. The database that this kit has access to is extremely large, therefore providing much more accurate results than other tests. This test covers the basic information of your pup, such as what their projected adult weight is to any genetic mutations your dog could have. In one kit, you can find out your pup’s bloodline and any health risks. Even though this test is pricey, it is worth the cost if you want to find out everything about your dog. The method in which the results are delivered is very user friendly and customer support will gladly guide you through the results should you have any questions. Results are delivered to whichever device you would like and come in the form of a program, so you can easily save the results and do not have to worry about losing or misplacing a piece of paper. When ordering Embark’s kit, they offer a two or three pack if you have multiple dogs. This is great because the multi-packs save you money when purchasing more than one kit. This kit can also be found easily and typically comes with free shipping.

No matter which kit you choose to go with, remember that these kits are not perfect. Sometimes results may differ or they just may not be what you would like them to be. Make sure that you are set on completing an at home DNA kit before ordering one so that your money does not go to waste. Keep in mind that you have to follow the exact directions given with the kit, if that seems daunting then it would be best to wait before purchasing. All of the at home kits come with two swabs for your pet, none ask you for a blood sample. Majority of the at home kits are user friendly and all should provide a customer service number if you have any problems or questions.

If you feel like the at home kits might not fit or satisfy your needs, going to your local veterinarian for a blood sample DNA test is the other option. Remember that sometimes blood sample tests can be stressful for your pup or painful as well as costly. This should be an absolute last option as far as DNA testing for your dog. Most veterinarians recommend the at home DNA kits over a blood sample test done at their office. If you are still hesitant, reading customer reviews or calling the company can help alleviate some concerns.

What is the best method for dog DNA testing?

Dog DNA testing can be done by either swabbing the inside of your pup’s cheek or through blood testing done by a veterinarian. DNA testing works by having a blood or saliva sample sent to a company’s lab to be analyzed by professionals. The samples are checked for many different things ranging from family history to potential future health outcomes. Some of the most common things that a dog’s DNA is checked for are growth such as how big or small your pup will be when they are fully grown, disease warning such as canine cancer, hip dysplasia, or cataracts, and bloodline history such as whether or not your pup is purebred or what breeds make up your dog.

Most dog owners choose to go with the at home DNA kits. These kits require you to thoroughly swab the inner lower lip and/or cheek of your pup. These are less of a hassle than blood testing and won’t hurt your pup one bit! Blood testing could be slightly painful for your dog or stressful, that is why home kits are highly recommended and used. Majority of the at home dog DNA test kits let you know that two swabs are included and each one most be soaked with saliva. They mention that you should wait a certain amount of time after your pup eats in order to obtain a successful swab, and water should be kept away until after swabbing. Once the swabs are collected, they go back into the container the kit included and then in the mail it goes! Results can be returned anywhere from two to three weeks depending on what brand the test is. Most kits notify you of their processing time either on the outside of the box or included in the directions. Results typically come back with instructions on how to read the test, and if you would like more help in understanding the results, most include a customer service or lab center number.

Any type of dog DNA test should be reviewed with caution, results such as health history are never set in stone. If your dog’s DNA test comes back noting that your dog has a 85 percent chance of contracting canine cancer, this does not mean you should rush to the vet and demand treatment for something your pup does not have. Test results are simply to let you know what lies in their bloodline and what it could potentially be if your pup shows any signs or symptoms, or to confirm an existing diagnosis. An excellent thing to do with the test results is to take them to your regular vet. Leaving a copy of the DNA results with your vet can help future visits and simply bring more knowledge to the table about your pup.

DNA tests are as accurate as they can be, meaning that depends on how accurate the swabs are and the specifications the test is for. If you are expecting every single DNA test kit to discover your dog’s potential health diseases, don’t. Each test is only as good as it states, so if the test specifies that it is specifically for finding out breed information, do not expect any health information. Another factor that is involved with test accuracy is how many breeds the test company’s database utilizes when comparing your pup’s sample. Some tests may say they only test up to 150 different breeds and others over 200. If you are looking for precise, extremely accurate results, buying a test that has a large database of breed information is the best solution. If you are not worried about accuracy and simply want the basics, a test kit with a smaller breed database could be a better fit. If you are not wanting to look at your dog’s breed or bloodline and are more concerned with the potential health warnings, there are kits available for either one specific health concern or many.

DNA testing can be incredibly beneficial to you and your pup. This can help with figuring out your pup’s temperament, where they stand when they are fully grown, information about family history, potential health warnings, and more. Some people turn to DNA testing when they are experiencing difficulties with their pup such as picky eating habits. Taking your dog to the vet for a picky eating habit can be costly and may not always produce the result you want it to. Using a good DNA test could provide an answer, such as because of the bloodline history, they found that your pup needs a diet higher in fish versus meat. It never hurts to get a DNA test done for your pup, and the results can provide abundant information for your pup as they grow up.

Some of the most important things to look for in a home DNA test kit, are accuracy, coverage, and speed of delivery of results. Most tests address accuracy in the way that they measure the test results. If an owner picks a test that only tests for canine cancer, then the results should reflect that information. If the test does not reflect the specified information, then the test is not as accurate as it claims to be. The best way to determine a tests accuracy is to review information about it through investigations that were done on that specific DNA test kit. Coverage is another thing to keep in mind while searching for the right DNA test kit. DNA test kits are not cheap, so it is best to look for test kits that will provide the most detailed and comprehensive report for your pup. The more information you have about your pet can only help their future. The speed of delivery of the results is another aspect that sometimes gets overlooked and definitely should not be. A typical speed of delivery time is two to three weeks, some can potentially take longer than that. If you want the best results and accurate information, waiting for that length of time is worth it. Don’t expect a test back in less than a week, give it some time because there are hundreds of tests the lab could be running for your pup.

The pricing for DNA dog test kits vary immensely, some climbing towards $200 and others hovering around $100. Cheaper tests do not mean that they will work as well as the $200 version. If you are looking for something specific or desire all the information that you can get about your pup, going with the more expensive option is the best bet in this case. No pet owner wants to buy a cheap kit, go through the process, only to find that they did not learn anything about their dog after waiting for three weeks. DNA testing does not have to be done at a specific age, so it is something you can do with your dog later down the line after you know you are able to get the right test kit for you and your pup.