1. Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test
Key Features
Breed detection for more than 250 breeds, types and varieties (wolf and coyote included)
Screens for over 150 genetic health conditions, plus MDR1 screening
Three generation family tree, plus breed percentages
Detailed info for each breed or group found
Easy 3-step testing
We found the Wisdom Panel 3.0 to be one of the most accurate and inclusive dog DNA tests out there because it tests for more breeds than any other kit and works with one of the largest breed databases available. This dog DNA kit screens for breed identification, genetic disease risk, ancestry and traits, offering truly comprehensive information about your pet. This knowledge can not only help you understand your pet better, but also potentially save her life thanks to the screening of MDR1, or drug sensitivity mutation. Importantly, the breed identification test builds out the entire family tree, plus a pie chart detailing in percentages how much of each pure breed your pet is. That being said, if your dog is a mutt and both of her parents were mutts too, the chance of finding the exact percentages are slightly smaller. In this case, and especially if the dog’s grandparents were mutts too, it’s possible to get a “51% mixed breed” result. Still worth trying out in our opinion, especially since this is one of the most reliable yet budget-friendly yet tests.
As for disease detection, the kit screens for more than 150 genetic health conditions, including the potentially life-saving MDR1drug sensitivity. Using this test is super-simple too. All you have to do is order the test, activate your kit online,collect your dog’s DNA by taking a cheek swab and mail it using the prepaid shipping container. All that’s left then is waiting for the results, which arrive within 2-3 weeks. The best dog DNA test for the price!
2. Embark Dog DNA Test
Key Features
Breed identification for more than 200 breeds (wolf and coyote included)
Screens for over 165 genetic diseases
Shows family tree, maternal and paternal group, plus relative finder
Provides a Vet Report so you can plan healthy aging
Simple 3-step testing
Embark test comes in as our runner-up for the best dog DNA test for dogs. With an exceptionally detailed health screening, family tree and ancestry, this is undoubtedly one of the most useful and reliable tests that money can buy. Coincidentally, it’s also one of the most popular DNA dog tests. And it’s no wonder why – with a database of more than 200,000 genetic markers and screens for over 250 dog breeds, plus 165 genetic health tests, this is one comprehensive DNA test. Of course, this comes with a price, as Embark is one of the more expensive dog DNA tests, although its price is certainly justified. Why? For one, this test provides highly accurate results partially thanks to their research partner, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. And two, it covers some of the most essential information about a pet, including dog breed percentage and information about each breed detected, plus detailed disease screening.
The Embark dog DNA test shows your pet’s family tree, including maternal and paternal tracing. Interestingly, every kit also includes access to your pooch’s relatives, in case you want to connect. But most importantly, Embark tests for over 165 genetic conditions, including degenerative myelopathy, glaucoma and dilated cardiomyopathy. It also provides a way for you to plan healthy aging for your dog, avoiding potential health issues before they strike. Using the kit is simple – just order the test, activate your online account, swab your dog’s cheek, send it and wait for the results. The only downside? They take a long time to arrive, sometimes up to 2 months.
3. DNA My Dog Canine Breed Identification Kit
Key Features
Tests for 100+ breeds
Lists breeds found by level percentage
Includes genetic disorders and personality traits
Results in 2 weeks
The DNA My Dog is a solid option if you’re just looking to find out what your mixed breed pupper is made of. Simple to use and affordable, this dog breed identification test is a useful tool that can help you understand your furry friend’s unique appearance, traits and even their wellness needs. Testing for over 100 breeds, the kit is a good choice for curious pet parents on a budget and animal shelters. Aside from revealing your dog’s breeds in percentages, the DNA my Dog also provides an outline of the genetic disorders and personality characteristics for every dog breed found in your pet’s genetic makeup.
While affordable and easy to use, the DNA My Dog is not a test we recommend to owners looking for ultra-detailed and super-reliable testing results. After all, the company tests for only 100+ breeds while other kits test for around or over 200 breeds. Furthermore, the DNA My Dog doesn’t screen for MDR1 disease, which we find is one of the most important things one should know about their pet. Overall, a solid option if you’re just looking for basic info; if you’d like more, there are more detailed kits available than DNA My Dog.
4. DNAffirm Dog DNA Cheek Swab Kit
Key Features
Provides basic breed composition (family tree)
Offers insight into dog’s dominant characteristics and behavior
No genetic medical results, except 2 gratis tests for MDR1 and EIC
Photo of the dog being tested is required
Dog genetic testing can be expensive, especially if it includes comprehensive reports on both ancestry and hereditary diseases. DNAaffirm is an exception – cheap but fairly reliable, it provides a detailed breed breakdown which offers insight into canine behavior, unique appearance, wellness needs and predisposition to diseases. Using this home DNA dog kit is super-easy – all you need to do is purchase the test, register the kit online, take a cheek swab to collect your pet’s DNA and mail it. Similar to all other dog DNA tests, right? Yes, except for one thing – DNAffirm requires you to upload a picture of the dog being tested. While this may seem like a completely harmless practice, we find it rather suspicious. There is no way to know if the company simply guesses the dog’s mixed breed based on the photo it receives or actually runs all required tests.
That being said, many pet parents seem to be happy with the results this kit provides, so it may be a good option if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you’re looking for comprehensive results about your pet’s breeds and medical results, stick to tried and tested Wisdom Panel or Embark.
5. Find My Pet Discover! DNA Test
Key Features
Provides percentage breakdown of your dog’s breed composition
Report on personality traits and genetic health concerns
Includes predisposition to disease
Easy 3-step testing
Accurate, reliable, inexpensive and simple to use, the Find My Pet DNA test checks all the right boxes. With this simple DNA test you can discover your pet’s breed composition, unique personality traits, predisposition to diseases and genetic health problems. So whether you have a mutt whose ancestry interests you, or a pure breed dog who may have some hereditary diseases, this test is a good choice. By giving insight into your pet’s dominant personality characteristics (which are based on his genetic breed composition), the test can also help you understand your dog better, and as a result, train him easier. And because the report contains an accurate percentage of breeds that make up your dog, you can use it to discuss associated health risks with your vet who can help you create a healthy aging plan.
The Find My Pet DNA test provides a custom photo certificate of all the breeds found in your pet’s genetic breed composition, as well as a percentage breakdown of each breed. There is also a report on her dominant breeds, personality traits and health concerns. That said, this is not the most comprehensive DNA test out there as we found that it doesn’t provide as detailed information about ancestry percentages as other tests, including Wisdom Panel 3.0 and Embark. However, considering its very reasonable price, the results are more than good enough.
Best DNA Tests for Dogs Buying Guide & FAQ
With human DNA testing rapidly gaining in popularity, it was just a matter of time when the curiosity got better of us and we started testing our four-legged companions as well. But it’s not like this is without any practical reason – pet DNA testing can reveal all kinds of interesting and useful things about our beloved dogs, including all of the breeds that make them, and gene-specific diseases or disorders they may have or are at risk of developing. And, similarly to how human testing results can be used, the results from dog testing can help your pet live a longer and healthier life. How? Well, when you’re aware of the various health risks your furry friend may genetically be predisposed to, you can do your best to avoid them.
But how to find the best DNA test for dogs? From highly accurate, detailed and expensive such as Embark, to basic, simple and cheap such as DNA My Dog, there are quite a few dog DNA tests on the market nowadays, making the selection process difficult for curious pet parents. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we talk about some of the best and most reliable DNA tests for dogs, plus how you can pick the one that suits your needs and budget best. And if after reading our buying guide you still feel like you have more questions about dog genetic testing, check out our FAQ section.
Features to Look for in DNA Tests For Dogs
There are many canine DNA test kits available today, many of which are highly accurate and detailed. However, there are also some DNA kits which, although pricey, don’t really offer that much information. Of course, not everyone is after the super-accurate, super-detailed reports; some pet parents just want to know the most important breeds that make up their adopted mixed pups. And that’s okay – in fact, if you’re only interested in the most essential things about your dog, such as his genetic makeup, we’d advise you to stick to simpler, and therefore cheaper DNA dog tests such as DNAffirm or DNA My Dog. Although not comprehensive, these kits deliver faster results and are super-easy to read and understand. On the other hand, if you want it all (your dog’s family tree, breed percentages, genetic health concerns, behavioral traits and more), be prepared to pay more and wait longer for the results.
Regardless of what you’re most interested in, it’s a good idea to pay special attention to the following things when purchasing a DNA test for dogs.
- Accuracy
How good a DNA dog test is depends on how accurate its results are. What is meant by accuracy here, is how close the test’s given value is to the true value. For example, if your pooch is a mix between several different breeds, the accuracy of a test would be measured in how exact the results of its breed percentages are. Of course, you can’t really know how true the percentages are; unless, of course, you own a laboratory yourself and have the means to examine each genetic marker and compare it with others. The only way a consumer can ascertain the accuracy of a dog DNA test is by looking at published clinical investigations that pit one test against the other, as well as against controls. For this reason, if you’re looking for high accuracy, it’s a good idea to look for studies that prove the legitimacy/accuracy of the test you’re interested in using.
That all being said, there is simply no way to be 100% certain that a test is highly accurate. However, you can ensure you’re buying a legitimate test if you go for DNA kits that are backed by reputable institutions, plus have lots of positive reviews. The downside is that such tests are usually pricier than others. But, as with most things, you get what you pay for with dog DNA tests.
- Coverage
Basic pet DNA kits can tell you what breeds make up your dog, plus maybe a few health risks/behavioral traits based on the animal's genetic makeup. Comprehensive DNA tests, on the other hand, not only cover this information, but provide a whole bunch of other highly useful detail. For instance, most comprehensive tests detect over 100 breeds, including wolf and coyote, plus build out a family tree with detailed information about each breed that makes up your pet. They also screen for genetic disorders and help you keep your pet healthy for longer by adjusting his lifestyle, or avoid those issues altogether with a good diet, supplements, exercise and so on. Some, like Wisdom Panel kit, even screen for MDR1 gene mutation, also known as multi-drug resistance gene, which can literally help save your pet’s life.
You may also like our article on Dog Treadmills.
So, what information are you most interested in? If it’s only the most important breeds that make up your dog’s genetic makeup, plus basic health risks, it’s more than ok to purchase cheaper and simpler DNA dog kits. But if you want to know everything? Definitely go for detailed, more expensive dog DNA tests.
- Speed
Finally, let’s talk about the speed of delivery results of dog DNA tests. Naturally, it’s not possible to conduct hundreds, if not thousands of tests in a matter of a few hours. In fact, even several days is an unrealistic time frame. Usually, the companies will take at least a couple of weeks to conduct the tests and send the results, although this does depend on the DNA test itself. Generally speaking though, the more comprehensive test, the longer you have to wait for the results; likewise, the simpler the test, the sooner you’ll receive the results. Although it’s normal to get excited and to want to see your dog’s DNA results as soon as possible, it’s important to be realistic about the wait time. No credible company is able to conduct thousands of tests and process as many results in a matter of 2-3 days (at least not yet). And if you come across such a company? Choose to go with another one.
Benefits of DNA Testing for Dogs
If you’re thinking about genetic testing for your dog, you’re probably wondering whether the price of the test justifies the benefits of knowing the results. While opinions may differ on this, our honest belief is that there are numerous benefits of DNA testing for dogs; benefits that most definitely justify the price of any kit featured on our Top 5 list. Let’s talk about some of the most important ones right here.
- Identifying Genetic Health Risks
The most important benefit of dog genetic testing is knowing what health problems your pooch is at risk of developing. Certain chromosomal abnormalities can lead to various dangerous illnesses in dogs which can be very hard to treat if not discovered in time. For example, if your dog carries a genetic mutation of the multi-drug resistance, or MDR1 mutation, and you use a heartworm medicine, your pet can suffer from serious neurological side effects because of the anti-parasitic drug the heartworm medicine contains (e.g. ivermectin). Another serious genetic disease is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an untreatable condition that causes blindness in dogs. Because dogs can develop vision problems due to a variety of reasons, it’s good to know whether or not the cause is PRA, as in that case, treatment and predictions are very different.
Furthermore, some breeds are simply more susceptible to certain health problems. Knowing whether or not a particular breed is a part of your pooch’s genetic makeup can help you help your dog become healthier and even avoid some serious health issues. Which leads us to the next benefit of dog DNA testing.
- Tailoring Diet And Lifestyle For Your Dog
A comprehensive DNA dog test will not only let you know all about your pooch’s genetic makeup, including whether or not she carries certain chromosomal abnormalities, but also all about her ideal weight and size. Weight predictions can be particularly useful as they can allow you to create a proper diet for your pet. As you probably know, obese dogs are at risk of developing various metabolic disorders, including diabetes, which is why it’s crucial for a dog to maintain a healthy weight throughout his entire life.
By being aware of your pet’s health risks, you may be able to completely avoid them with a good diet, supplements and exercise plan. For instance, if you know that your pooch is genetically susceptible to developing arthritis, you can try to prevent this predisposition from developing into a full-blown disorder by feeding your pet a specific kind of diet that includes dog joint supplements. Granted, you may not actually be able to completely avoid certain health problems, but with a proper diet, supplements, exercise and regular vet checkups, you’ll at least be able to postpone them or make their symptoms more manageable.
- Uncovering All The Breeds That Make Up Your Dog
Knowing what breeds make up your pet can not only help you create a better aging program for him, but also offer you a piece of mind. By being aware of all the breeds that are present in your furry companion, it’s easier to know what to expect from him. This can especially be useful for the owners of adopted mixed adult dogs. Another thing that DNA dog testing can help you with is behavioral training. Most detailed dog DNA tests include behavioral traits of each breed (that makes up your dog) in their results. This offers invaluable insight into the personality of your pet – whether he’s highly energetic, prone to aggressiveness or super-friendly, are just some of the traits that can be discovered with a DNA test kit. By knowing these things, you can customize your pet’s training program to better suit his personality. Take a look at our review of dog training books for more info.
Ultimately, what a good dog DNA test will do, is help you learn more about your pet, and as a result, prepare better for his future.
Blood vs Swab DNA Test
When it comes to genetic testing, whether human or canine, there are two popular methods for collecting DNA: blood samples and cheek swabs. However, for dogs, the overwhelmingly popular method is extracting DNA cells via cheek swabs is as it’s simpler and can be done at home. That being said, some dog DNA kits do ask for blood samples, but these obviously cannot be performed at home but at a vet. Although genetic testing results from collecting DNA cells via swabs or blood samples are exactly the same, both methods have different advantages. If you’re wondering which is the better option for you and your pet, we’ve outlined some of the most important pros and cons about each DNA-collecting method here.
Blood Samples
If you opt for testing that asks for a blood sample, you’ll have to take your pooch to the vet so a professional can safely draw blood. A needle will be inserted into your pet’s vein which can be uncomfortable, so you’ll have to make sure your dog is calm and still during the procedure. Luckily, this doesn't take long.
Pros
Blood tests yield larger amounts of DNA and can therefore be considered more accurate
If recommended by your vet, test results are almost guaranteed to be reliable, as most vets only work with legitimate dog genetic testing companies.
Uncomfortable for the pet (as well as the owner)
Although blood drawing is a quick procedure, it still takes more time than cheek swabbing
You have to take time out of your day to drive to the vet and back
Cheek Swabs
As mentioned, dog DNA kits that require a cheek swab are much more popular than those requiring a blood sample, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, they’re incredibly easy to use (this is usually a simple 3-step process), secondly, they’re not painful in any way, shape or form, and thirdly, they’re usually cheaper than their blood-sampling counterparts.
As you may have noticed, our Top 5 list contains only cheek-swab DNA tests. We specifically chose these types of kits because they’re simpler to use, easier to find, cost less, but produce the same results in terms of accuracy.
Pros
Non-invasive, meaning your pet won’t feel a thing while you collect his DNA
Quick and easy
The results are as accurate as blood sample-requiring tests
Cons
Unless you’re careful with the selection, it’s possible to end up with a DNA kit that doesn’t conduct reliable tests, and as an extension, doesn’t produce accurate results.
Our Top Pick
We took time to review every DNA test kit on our Top 5 list, so you can rest assured they’re all safe, easy-to-use tests that can help you understand your pet better. But when it comes to best value for money, we found the Wisdom Panel 3.0 to offer the most. With breed detection for more than 250 breeds, including wolf and coyote, and screening for over 150 genetic conditions, including the MDR1 gene mutation, this is the best DNA test for dogs, hands down. It also provides a three-generation family tree, breed percentages, plus information about each breed found in your pup’s genetic makeup. And that’s not even all – the Wisdom Panel 3.0 also predicts weight profile for nutrition guidance which can help you create a healthier diet and lifestyle plan for your furry friend. All in all, when it comes to reliable, accurate and budget-friendly dog DNA home kits, the Wisdom Panel 3.0 takes the crown.
