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Last updated: 3 Jan 2021

Best Dog DNA Kits (Review) in 2021

Expert Choice
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Embark Dog DNA Kit
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Contender
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Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Kit
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Bargain
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Wisdom Panel 3.0 Dog DNA Kit
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Most Scientific
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Embark Dog DNA Kit
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Jarett Gilpin
By Jarett Gilpin
Published 5:03 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Embark Dog DNA Kit
  • 2 Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Kit
  • 3 Wisdom Panel 3.0 Dog DNA Kit
  • 4 Embark Dog DNA Kit
  • 5 Wisdom Panel 3.0 Dog DNA Kit
  • 6 Dna My Dog Dog DNA Kit
  • 7 Find My Pet Dog DNA Kit
  • 8 Embark | Dog DNA Test Kit
  • 9 Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Kit
  • 10 Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine Dog DNA Kit
  • 11 ORIVET Dog DNA Test Kit

DNA kit brands vary in the size their breed and disease databases, so selecting the right kit is extremely important. Best Dog DNA kits in 2021 help you understand your adopted friend’s background to help inform both pet parents and veterinarians of breed-related health risks and behavioral challenges related to your dog’s individual genetic makeup. If your dog is a mix of many, many breeds, the kits may struggle to identify all of your dog’s make-up, but will be able to determine dominant breeds and genetic characteristics of your dog.

Best Dog DNA Kit

1

Embark Dog DNA Kit

– Expert Choice
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Key Features

In addition to the 250 breeds, this tests for traces of wolf, coyote, and village dog. It also traces your dog’s lineage back to great grandparents. The comprehensive genetic testing is really what wins us over. With testing for degenerative myelopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and glaucoma, you are able to get prepared for common adult-onset genetic diseases. The only con is that this is the most expensive kit on the market.

THE SCOOP

We at DogGear agree this is the best dog DNA test kit. Embark screens for over 165 genetic conditions and their database includes over 250 dog breeds.

2

Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Kit

– Contender
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Key Features

Though is unclear how many breeds are in the database, the official Ancestry Report provides valuable insights about your dog, behaviors, breed, and potential height and weight. One downfall is that it only tests for MDR-1, instead of a more comprehensive disease screening.

THE SCOOP

With testing for MDR-1 gene, adult weight projections, and breed insights, this kit is very effective.

3

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Dog DNA Kit

– Bargain
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Key Features

This test provides nutrition guidance and a long term health roadmap for your dog. With one of the largest and most complete breed databases, the test provides critical insights in under two weeks. It does lack the comprehensive disease testing compared to Embark. We are excited to test Wisdom Panel 4.0 when it becomes available on Amazon.

THE SCOOP

With a 250+ breed database, Wisdom Panel is affordable and easy to use. Wisdom Panel tests for life saving drug sensitivity (MDR-1) and provides a 3 generation family tree.

4

Embark Dog DNA Kit

– Most Scientific
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Key Features

Co-developed with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

Downloadable result out in 2-4 weeks

Free shipping and return shipping

THE SCOOP

This brand worked with academic experts to make its kit capable of testing more than 350 dog breeds and over 175 genetic ailments. This includes multidrug resistance mutation 1 (MDR1), glaucoma, platelet disorder, muscular dystrophy, and polycystic kidney disease, among others. A veterinarian will contact you if the test shows any bothersome results.

5

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Dog DNA Kit

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Key Features

Licensed provider of Washington State University’s patented MDR1 test

Result out in 2 weeks

Pre-paid shipping

THE SCOOP

Once ready, the test results can be accessed on the provided website. The physical traits test gives details about your dog’s body features: eye color, coat, muzzle shape, and even its high altitude adaptation and ideal weight range. Owners of more than 1.5 million dogs have used this kit for DNA testing.

6

Dna My Dog Dog DNA Kit

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Key Features

Customized certificate of DNA test result

Results out in 2 weeks

Pre-paid shipping

THE SCOOP

The test will include a breed profile, personality traits, and health concerns or vulnerability to certain diseases. The kit maker’s database is based on the list of breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

7

Find My Pet Dog DNA Kit

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Key Features

Covers about 100 AKC-certified breeds

Emailed result (in certificate form) out in 3-4 weeks

Pre-paid return shipping

THE SCOOP

You’ll get a percentage breakdown of your dog’s breed when you use this kit. The test result will also show your dog’s personality and health risks. In addition to this, the kit can trace your pet’s ancestry—up to its great grandparents.

8

Embark | Dog DNA Test Kit

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Check Latest Price
Key Features

In addition to the 250 breeds, this tests for traces of wolf, coyote, and village dog. It also traces your dog’s lineage back to great grandparents. The comprehensive genetic testing is really what wins us over. With testing for degenerative myelopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and glaucoma, you are able to get prepared for common adult-onset genetic diseases. The only con is that this is the most expensive kit on the market.

THE SCOOP

We at DogGear agree this is the best dog DNA test kit. Embark screens for over 165 genetic conditions and their database includes over 250 dog breeds.

9

Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Kit

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

Though is unclear how many breeds are in the database, the official Ancestry Report provides valuable insights about your dog, behaviors, breed, and potential height and weight. One downfall is that it only tests for MDR-1, instead of a more comprehensive disease screening.

THE SCOOP

With testing for MDR-1 gene, adult weight projections, and breed insights, this kit is very effective.

10

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine Dog DNA Kit

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This test provides nutrition guidance and a long term health roadmap for your dog. With one of the largest and most complete breed databases, the test provides critical insights in under two weeks. It does lack the comprehensive disease testing compared to Embark. We are excited to test Wisdom Panel 4.0 when it becomes available on Amazon.

THE SCOOP

With a 250+ breed database, Wisdom Panel is affordable and easy to use. Wisdom Panel tests for life saving drug sensitivity (MDR-1) and provides a 3 generation family tree.

11

ORIVET Dog DNA Test Kit

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Key Features

ORIVET Dog DNA Test Kit | Health Screen and LifePlan™ for Dogs provides risk analysis that considers your dog’s ancestry and how it affects your pup’s health. The personalized plan helps you work in conjunction with your vet. Some dog breeds are not listed so you have to choose a similar one, which can affect the accuracy of the test.

THE SCOOP

ORIVET Dog DNA Test Kit | Health Screen and LifePlan™ for Dogs

Best Dog DNA Kits Buying Guide

What to look for in a test

Breed is typically an indicator of general temperament and health of a dog. For example, German Shepherds are more prone to hip issues and degenerative myelopathy than other breeds. Dog DNA tests are new to many people, but are becoming more and more common as pet parents strive to deliver the best possible lives for their dogs.

HOW IT WORKS

Just like in the movies and TV shows, you will receive a real lab kit to harvest the sample, store it, transport it and finally receive the results. It starts with swabbing the inside of your pup’s mouth with the provided swap to get a saliva sample, placing it in the test tube, sealing it, and mailing it off. Wait two to four weeks for the test to deliver you the results.

WHAT IS DNA TESTING

Deoxyribonucleic acid is the transporter of genetic information in all living things. DNA is composed of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. These are called bases. To put it in perspective, dogs have approximately three billion of these bases. Of the 2.8 billion bases, only a few hundred to a million are unique to your dog. So, all dogs share about 99.967% to 99.9999970% of the same DNA. Your test is designed to sort out that small percentage that is different and that makes your dog unique, special, cute, silly, drooly, a barker, etc. There are three types of DNA tests: Y Chromosome tests, mitochondrial DNA tests, and autosomal DNA tests. Y chromosome tests are only for men, while mitochondrial can only determine DNA from the mother’s side. Autosomal DNA tests are the most complete and are the type we review and recommend above.

That was probably more than you wanted to know about DNA. So the big question is, what do you really learn about your dog?

BREED TYPE

We recommend the tests with the largest breed databases. The American Kennel Club recognizes over 350 breeds. Some of our tests capture the majority of those breeds, plus coyote and wolf. They don’t get more complete than that. Be advised, some of the lower cost and lower value options only test 50 to 85 breeds. If you are paying for this test once, it is probably best to cover as many as possible.

WELLNESS

We recommend looking for tests with robust health screening. If you can find out what potential health conditions your pup is predisposed to suffer from, you can make conscious decisions now to mitigate those effects through behavioral changes, supplements, therapy, and discussions with your vet.

The most complete test analyzes your dog’s DNA for over 150 health conditions, while the most basic ones are looking for the multi-drug resistance-1 (MDR-1) genetic marker. MDR-1 is a dangerous condition and it is important to know if your has this genetic marker, but the more expensive kits are looking for a more complete makeup of potential diseases. Others analyze hormone levels, vitamin and minerals levels, and allergies.

After two to six weeks of processing, depending on the manufacturer, the test results will be finalized.

Overall, Embark leads the way when it comes to overall wellness testing and the number of breeds tested. At DogGear, we hope you learn valuable information about your dog that leads to a longer and more satisfying life together!

Jarett Gilpin
By Jarett Gilpin
Jarett and his vapor wake dog, Toxi, help keep the students and public safe on the University of Notre Dame’s campus. Jarett knows what equipment, food and toys to keep Toxi safe, productive and still able to have fun.
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