- ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: Test for over 270 genetic health conditions and get actionable insights to help you give your pup the best care possible. Knowing if your dog is at higher risk for certain health conditions means you can intervene earlier and work with your veterinarian to create a personalized care plan. After receiving their test results, 37% of dog owners changed how they care for their dog.
- MOST ACCURATE BREED IDENTIFICATION: Test for over 400 dog breeds including dingoes, coyotes, wolves, and village dogs. Using a research-grade genotyping platform developed in partnership with Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine, Embark offers the most accurate breed breakdown on the market.
- TRAIT INSIGHTS THAT HELP YOU BE MORE PREPARED: Test for 55 physical traits. Size, coat, grooming needs — your dog’s traits don’t just make them adorable! Knowing their characteristics in advance, from how big your dog will become to how much they will shed, makes you a more informed and empowered pet owner.
- NEW! ALLERGY RISK SCORES: Find out your dog’s risk for four allergy types: environmental, food, contact, and flea. Embark is the only dog DNA test that gives you personalized allergy risk insights for your dog, so you can help them stay comfortable all year round. Plus, you’ll get expert tips from our veterinarians to help you prevent or manage allergies.
- NEW! PERSONALITY QUIZ: Discover which instincts are rooted in your pup’s breed mix—and which are uniquely their own.
- WORLD’S FIRST CANINE RELATIVE FINDER: Find and connect with your dog’s relatives. Uses patented technology to find your dog’s family members based on their shared DNA. Nearly one million messages exchanged for countless happy reunions.
- EXCELLENT SERVICE & FAST RESULTS: Have a question about your results? Just talk to one of our dedicated vets or geneticists — they’re ready with the answer. Embark generally delivers results in 2-4 weeks and keep you updated every step of the way.
Healthy Pet Items
Embark Breed & Health Kit – Dog DNA Testing Kit – Discover Breed, Ancestry, Relative Finder, Genetic Health, Traits, Allergy Risk Scores
$118.00
Disclosure| Item Weight | 3.84 ounces |
|---|---|
| Date First Available | April 19, 2016 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 9.27 x 5.67 x 1.5 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.2 x 3.5 x 5.8 inches |
| Brand Name | Embark |
| Target Audience Keyword | dogs |
| Directions | Swab the inside of your dog's mouth, activate your kit, and send the sample in a prepaid envelope to our lab. |
| Color | White, Black |
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Age Range Description | All Life Stages |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Embark Veterinary |
| Breed Recommendation | All Breed Sizes |
| Specific Uses for Product | Breed Identification, Health Screening |
66 reviews for Embark Breed & Health Kit – Dog DNA Testing Kit – Discover Breed, Ancestry, Relative Finder, Genetic Health, Traits, Allergy Risk Scores
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Christy Graeff –
Embark is a good dog DNA testing kit. It’s very accurate. I’ve used it a couple of times and have been happy with the results.
Pam R. –
Very simple to do. They emailed me with every single step of the process. Although, I was a bit surprised by the results, I do think they are correct . I am considering getting 2 more kits for my other 2.
Save a Life – Adopt A Pet –
We adopted a 2-3 yr old rescue, who was believed to be mostly Yellow Labrador Retriever. As you can see in her photo, she looks like an English Pale Yellow Lab, with the same size (71 lbs), blocky head, otter tail and body. But, her ears are smaller, higher, with spotted vs ombre tips, her eyes are smaller & almond-shaped, her muzzle fur is thin, with freckled skin, and she has no undercoat. She is also very mellow & reserved, low-energy & less playful than a Lab, and has minimal interest in food or treats. She also has behaviors like nocturnal roaming indoors & barking at night, and her bark & whine are very different than any of our past dogs (Labs, German Shepherds, Husky, Hound). As a rescue, her health history & that of her parents is unknown. We’ve had other dogs that developed life-altering or fatal issues due to genetic issues, that could have been avoided or better & less expensively treated if uncovered earlier via DNA screening. So, we decided to do a DNA test to learn more about this dog’s breed mix and heath. We decided on Embark after reading several reviews in Wirecutter and on other sites, which compared results between Embark and other brands. Another factor was that Embark works with Cornell, not just to have the latest, most relevant technology and scientific information, but to contribute results & info from tested dogs to Cornell to help with research on canine health and traits that can help improve and develop care and medical treatments to benefit all dogs.
Collecting my dog’s DNA sample was extremely easy to do. We created our Embark account to activate the test code when we opened the box, took the sample, and put it in our mailbox. Embark actually sent us an email the next day, shortly after it picked up & brought to our local post office, to let us know that it was enroute and being tracked by them in the postal system. A few days later we received another email, letting us know that they’d received the package and would start processing on the next business day. Then another, telling us when processing began. About 2 weeks later, our first results – breed – were ready, and 2 days after that, we received her health results. Big surprises!
First, Embark was very accurate re:her physical traits. I didn’t provide any photo or info, other than her estimated age & sex. They got her exact size, coloring – even the faint fawn spots – coat & fur length and texture, dew claws, eye, nail & nose colors, weight, tail, etc. The breed results were very helpful, and surprising to us, the rescue, and our vet. Based on her ears, face, deep “woof” and nocturnal barking, we speculated she might have a trace of Kuvasz, or even, way back, Great Pyrenees. Her muzzle, with with freckled skin & thin fur, and smaller, almond eyes, made us wonder about American Bulldog, Staffordshire, Bull, Jack Russell or Pitbull Terrier, or even Beagle. Embark identified two genetic health issues, one that she only carries, so we don’t have to address, since she is neutered. The other, though, affects her, and is important for our vet to know if she develops certain illnesses or injuries, or needs certain medications. Knowing will allow it to be monitored easily at her annual check-ups, and allow us to avoid treatments, diets or medications which could aggravate it and make her seriously ill or damage her liver.
The breed results were the biggest surprise. She is only 12.9% Lab! As well as 12.9% each Australian Cattle Dog, Pit Bull, and Hungarian Komondor. But she she is 50% Great Pyrenees. It was really neat to see the breakdown that Embark did of parents/grandparents/great-grandparents. Everything about makes sense now. The area where she was found is rural farm country, where Great Pyrenees, and a few Komondors, are popular on farms as livestock guardians, bred to roam the perimeter of farms & pastures at night, discouraging predators, warning herds/flocks & alerting caretakers by barking, then resting in the daytime. It makes us think she likely resulted from a stray mix + pure bred GP mom, and spent her puppyhood in such an environment, learning to be a guardian/herder.
Knowing this helped remendously in
understanding and successfully addressing behaviors like herding & nighttime barking that are purposely bred into those breeds. It also helped us adjust how we interact with her, and her training. After years of Labs & other breed mixes, we were used to dogs that easily & quickly trained using food motivation, and who were more excitable, active, affectionate & playful. And now we know where her freckled ears & nose come from!
She is a very sweet, wonderful dog, and Embark’s health & breed results provided info that let us know what potential health issues we need to work with our vet to watch for, and that we needed to adjust her diet to keep her weight healthy, as well as adapting our routines & training methods to better her suit her dominant Great Pyrenees breed. It’s really made a difference. Instead of trying to control & train her behaviour like our other dogs, we worked with her instincts, recognizing her need to do the job she was bred for, that her breed has done for thousands of years. Within 2 weeks, her “new rescue” adjustment period stress was *gone*, her nocturnal barking & whining was 99% ended, and we communicated better, understanding why she needs a “last call” late night walk in the yard & around the house, and that she responds to calm, gentle acknowledgement & ear rubs vs stern correction or training treats.
Florian Mayer –
I decided to get my pup dna tested and I chose embark as they are the most accurate and most reliable canine dna test on the market.
I am in the UK, so I expected it to take quite a while to receive the results considering that embark is based in America, but it actually only took just over 3 weeks, which is shorter than what was estimated.
First I had to swab my dog, which was pretty easy as my girl just wants to put everything in her mouth lol. Then I had to send it off, which I did using the pre paid envelope included in the kit, as Embark states on their website if purchased from Amazon UK, you can use the envelope supplied and it will be sent to their UK warehouse, and then rerouted to their lab in the USA.
After I sent it, it took 2 days to be received in the UK warehouse, and then just under 2 weeks to arrive at the lab. A week after it was received at the lab I was emailed the results.
We were told that my girl was a german shepherd x belgian malinois mix, with her mum being a pedigree german shepherd. And her dad being a working Malinois cross. Her results came back 60% german shepherd, 20% Belgian Malinois, and 20% dutch herder, which all make sense. She also came back with completely clear health so it was well worth doing just for that.
The only things that I would say don’t seem completely accurate are the family tree, the weight estimate, and the relative match.
On my dog’s family tree, her mother is listed as having a belgian malinois mix grandparent, which I know is incorrect as her mum has a pedigree to prove it. It does have a disclaimer however, that the family tree displayed is just what the algorithm determined was most likely, and that it is not the only possible one. So I would take this with a pinch of salt.
The adult weight estimate also seems to be off, my girl is only 10 months old and weighs 92 lbs, yet it predicted that her adult weight would be 63 lbs. After looking other dog’s results online, most of the weight estimates seem to be incorrect by quite alot.
The relative match is not necessarily incorrect, but is not explained very well. For example my girl matched with alot of purebred German shepherds that embark claims are “close relatives” as they share 35-36% of her dna, even though it says this for every single pure German shepherd I compared her with, and they are definitely not all “close relatives”. After speaking with other people online, apparently this is the case with most dogs that are primarily a breed that’s known to have low diversity. But it is somewhat misleading to say a dog is another dog’s “close relative” when they are actually no more related then any two dogs of that breed. The actual shared dna percentage is seemingly off too.
So it definitely has it’s flaws, but is still definitely the most reliable compared to the other tests that are available, and the actual parts of the test that matter are reliable. If you want to find out your dog’s breed, I would definitely recommend.
Sarah H –
Having adopted a dog from Cyprus we were curious about her breed mix. The breed we were advised she was came out as dominant, however, the other mix of breeds going back as far as her great grandparents made perfect sense and we can definitely see traits of them all knowing our girl.
More impressive was the fact I provided no information to Embark, so I didn’t tell them what breed I thought she might be or provide a picture so the results were literally just from the DNA swab. I definitely think it’s worth the cost. 🙂
Amazon_Customer –
Our veterinarian recommended Embark, and I’m so glad she did! The kit was straightforward and easy to use, and the pre-paid mailing package streamlined everything. The results of the genetic testing seem to be spot on, and we really enjoyed reading the breed profiles. The health screening was a huge bonus, and the explanations for the couple notable items had excellent information, which we asked our vet to put on his chart. I love that it finds related dogs who’ve also had Embark tests done. This has been an enjoyable journey!
P Hampshire –
It was easy to test my dogs by swabbing their mouth and the instructions were super easy. Similar to the 23 and me kit for humans. I got both my dogs as rescues and could never guess their actual breed. This was so crazy to find out their mix!
Save a Life – Adopt A Pet –
I recently adopted a dog and was curious about her breed makeup. The test was simple to use, and the turnaround time was fast. It was fun to read her background, and the health results were good to know. I passed them on to her vet for future use.
Kindle Customer –
Our veterinarian recommended Embark, and I’m so glad she did! The kit was straightforward and easy to use, and the pre-paid mailing package streamlined everything. The results of the genetic testing seem to be spot on, and we really enjoyed reading the breed profiles. The health screening was a huge bonus, and the explanations for the couple notable items had excellent information, which we asked our vet to put on his chart. I love that it finds related dogs who’ve also had Embark tests done. This has been an enjoyable journey!
Mrs. Mason –
I bought these to test my dogs breed. It was super easy to swab the mouth and send off. I had the results in less then 3 weeks.
Danielle –
The test was easy to administer and send off. Embark kept me updated by email through each step from in route by mail to testing phases and then the results. I feel like the results I got were spot on. I Highly recommend Embark for DNA testing.
Precise Disarray –
While I wasn’t at all expecting the results we got for my girl, I have to say based on her behavior I do believe them. If you’re looking at doing a DNA test, absolutely go with this one that has the health markets too. They test for just about everything, so it’s very reassuring. As an added bonus it comes with 30 days of on call vet services and two free training sessions, plus nutrition advice. After that it’s $11.a months. Tell me where you can get two training sessions a month for $11.99, and vet advice to boot. This DNA kit is well worth the price.
Joe McCombs –
Easy to do, and it covers a wide array of health risks and even gives you a peek at relatives to your fur baby. It’s quick to do and fairly quick to get the results. When I got my puppy she was supposed to be 100% Pomeranian and looked it but 2 months later she lost her teddy bear look and looked like chihuahua. I was almost sure she was mixed. Then the results came back, she is 100% Pomeranian. Sadly she still looks like a chihuahua. lol but I love her anyway.
LLR –
Happiness with our rescue 100% Pug. She is delightful and the Embark results eased our minds concerning her health and gene pool. So worth the money to know what to expect as she grows and matures.
We are very fortunate that she is healthy and happy in her new home with us.
The report was specific in identifying her gene markers, and was accurate in every aspect.
Well worth the investment.
PattiP –
This company provides first rate service. They clearly documented each step in the process. Thorough, helpful and good information in the results
I’d highly recommend this product.
Precise Disarray –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Sarah H –
Fantastic product with fantastic information provided about your dog.
If buying in Australia – be aware you’ll have to ship it back to the USA at your own cost (approx $25).
Worth every cent to see valuable information about your pet dog.
Kindle Customer –
Fantastic product with fantastic information provided about your dog.
If buying in Australia – be aware you’ll have to ship it back to the USA at your own cost (approx $25).
Worth every cent to see valuable information about your pet dog.
Amazon_Customer –
Having adopted a dog from Cyprus we were curious about her breed mix. The breed we were advised she was came out as dominant, however, the other mix of breeds going back as far as her great grandparents made perfect sense and we can definitely see traits of them all knowing our girl.
More impressive was the fact I provided no information to Embark, so I didn’t tell them what breed I thought she might be or provide a picture so the results were literally just from the DNA swab. I definitely think it’s worth the cost. 🙂
Jordan McMahan –
I’ve ordered two of these kits so far and I love how detailed they are in the results! It’s definitely worth the money, especially if you can find it when it’s on sale! The steps are easy to follow and you get updates throughout the entire process. I’ll be getting another one for my third dog for sure!
Teresa D. Gilles –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Banana –
Came easy in the mail and was super easy to use!
Had a lot of fun doing this test on my dog and it was so helpful to figure out what her health problems were.
If you are looking for a test that will help you figure out health, breed, and more, this is the great test to use!
You can even see their relatives on the website (if the other families have done it too). Definitely recommend.
Amity Morgan –
The Embark Breed & Health Kit is one of the most comprehensive DNA tests you can get for your dog, and it lives up to the hype in real use. Setup is easy — swab the cheek, send it back, and within a few weeks you get a detailed online report that goes way beyond basic breed guesses.
What you get
Breed & ancestry breakdown: A deep dive into your dog’s genetic makeup with precise percentages and lineage insights. It’s far more accurate and detailed than basic breed tests.
Health risk screening: Identifies dozens of genetic conditions and predispositions, so you can catch potential issues early or discuss risk management with your vet.
Traits & characteristics: Adds fun, scientifically backed insights into things like coat type, size predictions, and even behavioral tendencies.
Relative finder: Connects your dog with genetically related pups in the Embark database — a neat feature if you’re curious about lineage or want to connect with other owners.
Real-world value
Many owners find the health insights alone worth the investment, especially if you have a purebred or mixed dog with unknown background.
The online dashboard is user-friendly, with clear explanations and links to research — no guesswork or data-dump overwhelm.
Results feel actionable rather than vague, so you can talk specifics with your vet or plan training/health care with solid data.
Bottom line: If you want a real genetic portrait of your dog — not just a throwaway breed percentage — this kit delivers. It’s comprehensive, scientifically grounded, and actually helpful for care, curiosity, and long-term wellbeing. Worth it for any devoted pet owner who wants to understand their dog at a deeper level.
Save a Life – Adopt A Pet –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Jordan McMahan –
This is the second time I’ve purchased this DNA kit. Once for my previous dog and again for my current puppy. It is well worth it. The kit is very easy to use, and the results are both thorough and accurate.
While I would love my dog regardless of breed, it was fun and informative to see which breeds contributed to his personality and physical traits. The health component also provided valuable peace of mind by identifying potential health conditions. I can confidently say the results are accurate, as my first dog was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease, which the test correctly identified.
One of my coworkers, who is a breeder, also uses this test to assess which traits her dogs may potentially pass on to their puppies.
I appreciated learning that my dog is 0% inbred, has close relatives who have also completed the DNA test, and seeing his allergy risk, among many other detailed insights.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to include an additional $5 toward postage for Canadian customers, as the provided stamps did not fully cover the mailing fee.
P Hampshire –
This DNA test turned out to be pretty cool. It didn’t take too long and the results were both surprising but also made a lot of sense. We adopted a puppy from a local rescue and they said he was a Chi mix, but everyone that met him said that he looked like a German Shepherd. He turned out to be a mix of Chihuahua, Siberian Husky, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, and small poodle. I’m glad that we did the DNA test because the rescue said the pup would be a good couch buddy, but after seeing his genetic mix is mostly working breeds, that helped us realize that he needs more exercise and stimulation than we originally expected.
The combo test also provides lots of additional features like the pup’s ‘wolfiness’ level, genetic diseases etc and if your pup carries the gene, it even shows other dogs near you that have similar DNA and could be potential relatives. The test gave so much more information than I expected, and you can download the entire packet like a little book. You also receive email updates and app notifications along the way as your test progresses through the process.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a good enough sample because you need to swab the cheek for 30-60 seconds and my pup is still super young and not very cooperative with things like that. But he actually did really well! Then I thought I had ruined the sample because when I pulled it out it had grass on it LOL but it was still usable. So it’s nice to know that a little contamination here and there doesn’t throw a wrench in things 🙂
Kat –
Super cool testing if shows your breed and other statistics so much to read about your pet allergies foods etc
Yes this was worth it!
Carol Stone –
I decided to get my pup dna tested and I chose embark as they are the most accurate and most reliable canine dna test on the market.
I am in the UK, so I expected it to take quite a while to receive the results considering that embark is based in America, but it actually only took just over 3 weeks, which is shorter than what was estimated.
First I had to swab my dog, which was pretty easy as my girl just wants to put everything in her mouth lol. Then I had to send it off, which I did using the pre paid envelope included in the kit, as Embark states on their website if purchased from Amazon UK, you can use the envelope supplied and it will be sent to their UK warehouse, and then rerouted to their lab in the USA.
After I sent it, it took 2 days to be received in the UK warehouse, and then just under 2 weeks to arrive at the lab. A week after it was received at the lab I was emailed the results.
We were told that my girl was a german shepherd x belgian malinois mix, with her mum being a pedigree german shepherd. And her dad being a working Malinois cross. Her results came back 60% german shepherd, 20% Belgian Malinois, and 20% dutch herder, which all make sense. She also came back with completely clear health so it was well worth doing just for that.
The only things that I would say don’t seem completely accurate are the family tree, the weight estimate, and the relative match.
On my dog’s family tree, her mother is listed as having a belgian malinois mix grandparent, which I know is incorrect as her mum has a pedigree to prove it. It does have a disclaimer however, that the family tree displayed is just what the algorithm determined was most likely, and that it is not the only possible one. So I would take this with a pinch of salt.
The adult weight estimate also seems to be off, my girl is only 10 months old and weighs 92 lbs, yet it predicted that her adult weight would be 63 lbs. After looking other dog’s results online, most of the weight estimates seem to be incorrect by quite alot.
The relative match is not necessarily incorrect, but is not explained very well. For example my girl matched with alot of purebred German shepherds that embark claims are “close relatives” as they share 35-36% of her dna, even though it says this for every single pure German shepherd I compared her with, and they are definitely not all “close relatives”. After speaking with other people online, apparently this is the case with most dogs that are primarily a breed that’s known to have low diversity. But it is somewhat misleading to say a dog is another dog’s “close relative” when they are actually no more related then any two dogs of that breed. The actual shared dna percentage is seemingly off too.
So it definitely has it’s flaws, but is still definitely the most reliable compared to the other tests that are available, and the actual parts of the test that matter are reliable. If you want to find out your dog’s breed, I would definitely recommend.
Kat –
Fantastic product with fantastic information provided about your dog.
If buying in Australia – be aware you’ll have to ship it back to the USA at your own cost (approx $25).
Worth every cent to see valuable information about your pet dog.
Danielle –
I think it is worth it. Everyone has their own budgets so I dont factor in price in my rating. I was able to get this when on mega sale for $139.00 for the DNA & Health option. Fun process, loaded with info. Worth it.
We recently adopted what I was expecting to be a Lab & Mountain Curr mix. Her photos appeared that way, and she looked to be a bigger puppy with expected adult weight of 60 lbs. I am used to big dogs(80-110lbs), so when my soul mate beloved girl English lab passed away recently at just 7 years old, I set out to look to adopt a dog for her surviving brother (another English lab). Saw a listing for an 11 weeks old “Lab Mountain Curr mix”, her expression and details caught my interest and so I started the adoption process. She was in the south (rescue grabbed her from a kill shelter), I am in the north, they provide transport. Took a chance on sight unseen.
5 weeks later, she arrived. Basically we were catfished. She is actually 9-10 months old, and her pics were recent. So what I thought was a 30 lb 11 week old was actually a 28 lb 9 month old. That makes her a small/ish dog, and that makes her nearly full grown! SO, my 110 lb dog has a new 30 lb small dog. Our life and yard is set up for big dogs, not small. Ah well. We are adjusting. My boy is thrilled to have a friend.
Which brings us to, well what is she then? Labs tend to be larger to BIG, and Currs are medium to large with similar large weight ranges. What is this weird little dog?
I sniffed around various DNA test brands. I ultimately went with Embark (love the name) because of the tie to Cornell University (in my neck of the woods). My vet scoffs at these tests, but for me I figure it is simply information. I learn something or I dont.
I was basically curious, and I also wanted an idea what to look for in terms of play style, training, motivation, etc. I KNOW labs (and to lesser but sizable degree, Currs– hence the perfect match up for me), but I dont know other breeds. I am not set up to have a dog that needs to herd sheep, nor do I have an agility course. I want to know what the propensity is for the breeds she may be, so I can tailor my style to what she may need. I want her to blossom. Her personality description seemed like a good fit, but since we were basically catfished on some info, who knows what else was left to discover? Hence, DNA test.
Process was simple. Kit arrived very quickly. Just swab mouth with included tools, stick in tube, put in mailer (postage included), and mail it. They will contact you when kit has been picked up in mail, will contact when arrived. Will likely keep you informed of where they are at in the process and how long it will take. It feels more personal and professional. I got an early email saying they found a health red flag (potential back/neck disc issue). Then shortly after I got the full DNA & health results.
There is a TON of information, down to nitty gritty details for the science nerds. Also super easy graphics for those less inclined for data. This info can also be shared easily, including info can be sent to your vet if you want.
Nothing labrador related came up in results. She is basically a Super Mutt, not surprising. I was hoping for a little more standout on one breed, but the breeds that were sussed out are still small fractions. So 51% mega mutt (at least Mountain Curr is part of that), but for the 49%, that broke down into Beagle (12%), Great Pyrenese (10%—hilarious at her small size, but remember genotype differs from phenotype, AND her expect 40 lb weight means that she has big dog lineage). Then smaller % of boxer, golden retriever, german shepard, eskimo & collie. Oddly, I can kind of see it. Disappointed not to have lab in her. I know rescues always put “lab mix”, but I really did expect it given her “angle wing” at her “shoulders”.
There are link to each breed so you can quicky and easily learn about each listed as part of genetic profile.
Her expected adult weight is 40 lbs, which I concur with. I hope she gets bigger anyway.
Main thing is that she is sweet. Doesn’t have that deep intelligence that my English Labs have nor the deep soulful eyes, but I knew I was getting a mixed bag. It is an adjustment. Still learning about her, but now I have a little more framework to operate within.
What I like is that this Embark info doesnt stop here. They have a robust website loaded with info, and you can share pics and videos, take quizzes, dive into resources specific to your doggo and dogs in general. If there are any dogs that are close in relationship to yours then you can make contact as they are likely related. Neat stuff. I hope to find some relatives.
So please be sure to fill out as much info as you can, add some pics, and maybe you too will be able to connect with family members. Even if later down the line someone decided to do DNA kit with their dog, it they are a genetic match you will be able to find out.
If you are skeptical and have the extra money, you could wait to shop a sale to get another one, or from another brand to compare. Though if I did that, Id probably get this brand again for true fidelity of results.
Florian Mayer –
Having adopted a dog from Cyprus we were curious about her breed mix. The breed we were advised she was came out as dominant, however, the other mix of breeds going back as far as her great grandparents made perfect sense and we can definitely see traits of them all knowing our girl.
More impressive was the fact I provided no information to Embark, so I didn’t tell them what breed I thought she might be or provide a picture so the results were literally just from the DNA swab. I definitely think it’s worth the cost. 🙂
Save a Life – Adopt A Pet –
This is the second time I’ve purchased this DNA kit. Once for my previous dog and again for my current puppy. It is well worth it. The kit is very easy to use, and the results are both thorough and accurate.
While I would love my dog regardless of breed, it was fun and informative to see which breeds contributed to his personality and physical traits. The health component also provided valuable peace of mind by identifying potential health conditions. I can confidently say the results are accurate, as my first dog was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease, which the test correctly identified.
One of my coworkers, who is a breeder, also uses this test to assess which traits her dogs may potentially pass on to their puppies.
I appreciated learning that my dog is 0% inbred, has close relatives who have also completed the DNA test, and seeing his allergy risk, among many other detailed insights.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to include an additional $5 toward postage for Canadian customers, as the provided stamps did not fully cover the mailing fee.
Kat –
I decided to get my pup dna tested and I chose embark as they are the most accurate and most reliable canine dna test on the market.
I am in the UK, so I expected it to take quite a while to receive the results considering that embark is based in America, but it actually only took just over 3 weeks, which is shorter than what was estimated.
First I had to swab my dog, which was pretty easy as my girl just wants to put everything in her mouth lol. Then I had to send it off, which I did using the pre paid envelope included in the kit, as Embark states on their website if purchased from Amazon UK, you can use the envelope supplied and it will be sent to their UK warehouse, and then rerouted to their lab in the USA.
After I sent it, it took 2 days to be received in the UK warehouse, and then just under 2 weeks to arrive at the lab. A week after it was received at the lab I was emailed the results.
We were told that my girl was a german shepherd x belgian malinois mix, with her mum being a pedigree german shepherd. And her dad being a working Malinois cross. Her results came back 60% german shepherd, 20% Belgian Malinois, and 20% dutch herder, which all make sense. She also came back with completely clear health so it was well worth doing just for that.
The only things that I would say don’t seem completely accurate are the family tree, the weight estimate, and the relative match.
On my dog’s family tree, her mother is listed as having a belgian malinois mix grandparent, which I know is incorrect as her mum has a pedigree to prove it. It does have a disclaimer however, that the family tree displayed is just what the algorithm determined was most likely, and that it is not the only possible one. So I would take this with a pinch of salt.
The adult weight estimate also seems to be off, my girl is only 10 months old and weighs 92 lbs, yet it predicted that her adult weight would be 63 lbs. After looking other dog’s results online, most of the weight estimates seem to be incorrect by quite alot.
The relative match is not necessarily incorrect, but is not explained very well. For example my girl matched with alot of purebred German shepherds that embark claims are “close relatives” as they share 35-36% of her dna, even though it says this for every single pure German shepherd I compared her with, and they are definitely not all “close relatives”. After speaking with other people online, apparently this is the case with most dogs that are primarily a breed that’s known to have low diversity. But it is somewhat misleading to say a dog is another dog’s “close relative” when they are actually no more related then any two dogs of that breed. The actual shared dna percentage is seemingly off too.
So it definitely has it’s flaws, but is still definitely the most reliable compared to the other tests that are available, and the actual parts of the test that matter are reliable. If you want to find out your dog’s breed, I would definitely recommend.
Danielle –
I decided to get my pup dna tested and I chose embark as they are the most accurate and most reliable canine dna test on the market.
I am in the UK, so I expected it to take quite a while to receive the results considering that embark is based in America, but it actually only took just over 3 weeks, which is shorter than what was estimated.
First I had to swab my dog, which was pretty easy as my girl just wants to put everything in her mouth lol. Then I had to send it off, which I did using the pre paid envelope included in the kit, as Embark states on their website if purchased from Amazon UK, you can use the envelope supplied and it will be sent to their UK warehouse, and then rerouted to their lab in the USA.
After I sent it, it took 2 days to be received in the UK warehouse, and then just under 2 weeks to arrive at the lab. A week after it was received at the lab I was emailed the results.
We were told that my girl was a german shepherd x belgian malinois mix, with her mum being a pedigree german shepherd. And her dad being a working Malinois cross. Her results came back 60% german shepherd, 20% Belgian Malinois, and 20% dutch herder, which all make sense. She also came back with completely clear health so it was well worth doing just for that.
The only things that I would say don’t seem completely accurate are the family tree, the weight estimate, and the relative match.
On my dog’s family tree, her mother is listed as having a belgian malinois mix grandparent, which I know is incorrect as her mum has a pedigree to prove it. It does have a disclaimer however, that the family tree displayed is just what the algorithm determined was most likely, and that it is not the only possible one. So I would take this with a pinch of salt.
The adult weight estimate also seems to be off, my girl is only 10 months old and weighs 92 lbs, yet it predicted that her adult weight would be 63 lbs. After looking other dog’s results online, most of the weight estimates seem to be incorrect by quite alot.
The relative match is not necessarily incorrect, but is not explained very well. For example my girl matched with alot of purebred German shepherds that embark claims are “close relatives” as they share 35-36% of her dna, even though it says this for every single pure German shepherd I compared her with, and they are definitely not all “close relatives”. After speaking with other people online, apparently this is the case with most dogs that are primarily a breed that’s known to have low diversity. But it is somewhat misleading to say a dog is another dog’s “close relative” when they are actually no more related then any two dogs of that breed. The actual shared dna percentage is seemingly off too.
So it definitely has it’s flaws, but is still definitely the most reliable compared to the other tests that are available, and the actual parts of the test that matter are reliable. If you want to find out your dog’s breed, I would definitely recommend.
Save a Life – Adopt A Pet –
I’ve ordered two of these kits so far and I love how detailed they are in the results! It’s definitely worth the money, especially if you can find it when it’s on sale! The steps are easy to follow and you get updates throughout the entire process. I’ll be getting another one for my third dog for sure!
Amazon_Customer –
Fantastic product with fantastic information provided about your dog.
If buying in Australia – be aware you’ll have to ship it back to the USA at your own cost (approx $25).
Worth every cent to see valuable information about your pet dog.
Jennifer Champy –
This is the second time I’ve purchased this DNA kit. Once for my previous dog and again for my current puppy. It is well worth it. The kit is very easy to use, and the results are both thorough and accurate.
While I would love my dog regardless of breed, it was fun and informative to see which breeds contributed to his personality and physical traits. The health component also provided valuable peace of mind by identifying potential health conditions. I can confidently say the results are accurate, as my first dog was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease, which the test correctly identified.
One of my coworkers, who is a breeder, also uses this test to assess which traits her dogs may potentially pass on to their puppies.
I appreciated learning that my dog is 0% inbred, has close relatives who have also completed the DNA test, and seeing his allergy risk, among many other detailed insights.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to include an additional $5 toward postage for Canadian customers, as the provided stamps did not fully cover the mailing fee.
Kat –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Florian Mayer –
Fantastic product with fantastic information provided about your dog.
If buying in Australia – be aware you’ll have to ship it back to the USA at your own cost (approx $25).
Worth every cent to see valuable information about your pet dog.
Tatiana –
This is the second time I’ve purchased this DNA kit. Once for my previous dog and again for my current puppy. It is well worth it. The kit is very easy to use, and the results are both thorough and accurate.
While I would love my dog regardless of breed, it was fun and informative to see which breeds contributed to his personality and physical traits. The health component also provided valuable peace of mind by identifying potential health conditions. I can confidently say the results are accurate, as my first dog was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease, which the test correctly identified.
One of my coworkers, who is a breeder, also uses this test to assess which traits her dogs may potentially pass on to their puppies.
I appreciated learning that my dog is 0% inbred, has close relatives who have also completed the DNA test, and seeing his allergy risk, among many other detailed insights.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to include an additional $5 toward postage for Canadian customers, as the provided stamps did not fully cover the mailing fee.
Jennifer Champy –
We adopted a 2-3 yr old rescue, who was believed to be mostly Yellow Labrador Retriever. As you can see in her photo, she looks like an English Pale Yellow Lab, with the same size (71 lbs), blocky head, otter tail and body. But, her ears are smaller, higher, with spotted vs ombre tips, her eyes are smaller & almond-shaped, her muzzle fur is thin, with freckled skin, and she has no undercoat. She is also very mellow & reserved, low-energy & less playful than a Lab, and has minimal interest in food or treats. She also has behaviors like nocturnal roaming indoors & barking at night, and her bark & whine are very different than any of our past dogs (Labs, German Shepherds, Husky, Hound). As a rescue, her health history & that of her parents is unknown. We’ve had other dogs that developed life-altering or fatal issues due to genetic issues, that could have been avoided or better & less expensively treated if uncovered earlier via DNA screening. So, we decided to do a DNA test to learn more about this dog’s breed mix and heath. We decided on Embark after reading several reviews in Wirecutter and on other sites, which compared results between Embark and other brands. Another factor was that Embark works with Cornell, not just to have the latest, most relevant technology and scientific information, but to contribute results & info from tested dogs to Cornell to help with research on canine health and traits that can help improve and develop care and medical treatments to benefit all dogs.
Collecting my dog’s DNA sample was extremely easy to do. We created our Embark account to activate the test code when we opened the box, took the sample, and put it in our mailbox. Embark actually sent us an email the next day, shortly after it picked up & brought to our local post office, to let us know that it was enroute and being tracked by them in the postal system. A few days later we received another email, letting us know that they’d received the package and would start processing on the next business day. Then another, telling us when processing began. About 2 weeks later, our first results – breed – were ready, and 2 days after that, we received her health results. Big surprises!
First, Embark was very accurate re:her physical traits. I didn’t provide any photo or info, other than her estimated age & sex. They got her exact size, coloring – even the faint fawn spots – coat & fur length and texture, dew claws, eye, nail & nose colors, weight, tail, etc. The breed results were very helpful, and surprising to us, the rescue, and our vet. Based on her ears, face, deep “woof” and nocturnal barking, we speculated she might have a trace of Kuvasz, or even, way back, Great Pyrenees. Her muzzle, with with freckled skin & thin fur, and smaller, almond eyes, made us wonder about American Bulldog, Staffordshire, Bull, Jack Russell or Pitbull Terrier, or even Beagle. Embark identified two genetic health issues, one that she only carries, so we don’t have to address, since she is neutered. The other, though, affects her, and is important for our vet to know if she develops certain illnesses or injuries, or needs certain medications. Knowing will allow it to be monitored easily at her annual check-ups, and allow us to avoid treatments, diets or medications which could aggravate it and make her seriously ill or damage her liver.
The breed results were the biggest surprise. She is only 12.9% Lab! As well as 12.9% each Australian Cattle Dog, Pit Bull, and Hungarian Komondor. But she she is 50% Great Pyrenees. It was really neat to see the breakdown that Embark did of parents/grandparents/great-grandparents. Everything about makes sense now. The area where she was found is rural farm country, where Great Pyrenees, and a few Komondors, are popular on farms as livestock guardians, bred to roam the perimeter of farms & pastures at night, discouraging predators, warning herds/flocks & alerting caretakers by barking, then resting in the daytime. It makes us think she likely resulted from a stray mix + pure bred GP mom, and spent her puppyhood in such an environment, learning to be a guardian/herder.
Knowing this helped remendously in
understanding and successfully addressing behaviors like herding & nighttime barking that are purposely bred into those breeds. It also helped us adjust how we interact with her, and her training. After years of Labs & other breed mixes, we were used to dogs that easily & quickly trained using food motivation, and who were more excitable, active, affectionate & playful. And now we know where her freckled ears & nose come from!
She is a very sweet, wonderful dog, and Embark’s health & breed results provided info that let us know what potential health issues we need to work with our vet to watch for, and that we needed to adjust her diet to keep her weight healthy, as well as adapting our routines & training methods to better her suit her dominant Great Pyrenees breed. It’s really made a difference. Instead of trying to control & train her behaviour like our other dogs, we worked with her instincts, recognizing her need to do the job she was bred for, that her breed has done for thousands of years. Within 2 weeks, her “new rescue” adjustment period stress was *gone*, her nocturnal barking & whining was 99% ended, and we communicated better, understanding why she needs a “last call” late night walk in the yard & around the house, and that she responds to calm, gentle acknowledgement & ear rubs vs stern correction or training treats.
Jennifer Champy –
This DNA test turned out to be pretty cool. It didn’t take too long and the results were both surprising but also made a lot of sense. We adopted a puppy from a local rescue and they said he was a Chi mix, but everyone that met him said that he looked like a German Shepherd. He turned out to be a mix of Chihuahua, Siberian Husky, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, and small poodle. I’m glad that we did the DNA test because the rescue said the pup would be a good couch buddy, but after seeing his genetic mix is mostly working breeds, that helped us realize that he needs more exercise and stimulation than we originally expected.
The combo test also provides lots of additional features like the pup’s ‘wolfiness’ level, genetic diseases etc and if your pup carries the gene, it even shows other dogs near you that have similar DNA and could be potential relatives. The test gave so much more information than I expected, and you can download the entire packet like a little book. You also receive email updates and app notifications along the way as your test progresses through the process.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a good enough sample because you need to swab the cheek for 30-60 seconds and my pup is still super young and not very cooperative with things like that. But he actually did really well! Then I thought I had ruined the sample because when I pulled it out it had grass on it LOL but it was still usable. So it’s nice to know that a little contamination here and there doesn’t throw a wrench in things 🙂
Danielle –
The Embark Breed & Health Kit is one of the most comprehensive DNA tests you can get for your dog, and it lives up to the hype in real use. Setup is easy — swab the cheek, send it back, and within a few weeks you get a detailed online report that goes way beyond basic breed guesses.
What you get
Breed & ancestry breakdown: A deep dive into your dog’s genetic makeup with precise percentages and lineage insights. It’s far more accurate and detailed than basic breed tests.
Health risk screening: Identifies dozens of genetic conditions and predispositions, so you can catch potential issues early or discuss risk management with your vet.
Traits & characteristics: Adds fun, scientifically backed insights into things like coat type, size predictions, and even behavioral tendencies.
Relative finder: Connects your dog with genetically related pups in the Embark database — a neat feature if you’re curious about lineage or want to connect with other owners.
Real-world value
Many owners find the health insights alone worth the investment, especially if you have a purebred or mixed dog with unknown background.
The online dashboard is user-friendly, with clear explanations and links to research — no guesswork or data-dump overwhelm.
Results feel actionable rather than vague, so you can talk specifics with your vet or plan training/health care with solid data.
Bottom line: If you want a real genetic portrait of your dog — not just a throwaway breed percentage — this kit delivers. It’s comprehensive, scientifically grounded, and actually helpful for care, curiosity, and long-term wellbeing. Worth it for any devoted pet owner who wants to understand their dog at a deeper level.
Danielle –
Fun and easy. The test is very easy and simple, and they include the envelope to mail back. I bought and sent my dog’s test on December 6 and got results before the new year. so even during holidays the turnaround is very quick.
Tatiana –
Fun and easy. The test is very easy and simple, and they include the envelope to mail back. I bought and sent my dog’s test on December 6 and got results before the new year. so even during holidays the turnaround is very quick.
Florian Mayer –
Super cool testing if shows your breed and other statistics so much to read about your pet allergies foods etc
Yes this was worth it!
Sarah Cage –
The Embark Breed & Health Kit is one of the most comprehensive DNA tests you can get for your dog, and it lives up to the hype in real use. Setup is easy — swab the cheek, send it back, and within a few weeks you get a detailed online report that goes way beyond basic breed guesses.
What you get
Breed & ancestry breakdown: A deep dive into your dog’s genetic makeup with precise percentages and lineage insights. It’s far more accurate and detailed than basic breed tests.
Health risk screening: Identifies dozens of genetic conditions and predispositions, so you can catch potential issues early or discuss risk management with your vet.
Traits & characteristics: Adds fun, scientifically backed insights into things like coat type, size predictions, and even behavioral tendencies.
Relative finder: Connects your dog with genetically related pups in the Embark database — a neat feature if you’re curious about lineage or want to connect with other owners.
Real-world value
Many owners find the health insights alone worth the investment, especially if you have a purebred or mixed dog with unknown background.
The online dashboard is user-friendly, with clear explanations and links to research — no guesswork or data-dump overwhelm.
Results feel actionable rather than vague, so you can talk specifics with your vet or plan training/health care with solid data.
Bottom line: If you want a real genetic portrait of your dog — not just a throwaway breed percentage — this kit delivers. It’s comprehensive, scientifically grounded, and actually helpful for care, curiosity, and long-term wellbeing. Worth it for any devoted pet owner who wants to understand their dog at a deeper level.
Precise Disarray –
Fun and easy. The test is very easy and simple, and they include the envelope to mail back. I bought and sent my dog’s test on December 6 and got results before the new year. so even during holidays the turnaround is very quick.
Banana –
Incredibly professional, very valuable information in regards to HEALTH screening and super fun to figure out his DNA.
We rescued our boy in November and we’re not positive of what he was. It wouldn’t have mattered because we love them anyway, but it was fun to find out his DNA. This was way more than just finding out what type of dog he is. This helped identify genes that he had.
It tested for over 400 different health screenings. I found them to be highly professional accurate and very reasonable priced for the amount of information you get.
If a human wanted to figure out this kind of information, it would’ve been thousands of dollars.
Kat –
Having adopted a dog from Cyprus we were curious about her breed mix. The breed we were advised she was came out as dominant, however, the other mix of breeds going back as far as her great grandparents made perfect sense and we can definitely see traits of them all knowing our girl.
More impressive was the fact I provided no information to Embark, so I didn’t tell them what breed I thought she might be or provide a picture so the results were literally just from the DNA swab. I definitely think it’s worth the cost. 🙂
Amity Morgan –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Danielle –
This DNA test turned out to be pretty cool. It didn’t take too long and the results were both surprising but also made a lot of sense. We adopted a puppy from a local rescue and they said he was a Chi mix, but everyone that met him said that he looked like a German Shepherd. He turned out to be a mix of Chihuahua, Siberian Husky, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, and small poodle. I’m glad that we did the DNA test because the rescue said the pup would be a good couch buddy, but after seeing his genetic mix is mostly working breeds, that helped us realize that he needs more exercise and stimulation than we originally expected.
The combo test also provides lots of additional features like the pup’s ‘wolfiness’ level, genetic diseases etc and if your pup carries the gene, it even shows other dogs near you that have similar DNA and could be potential relatives. The test gave so much more information than I expected, and you can download the entire packet like a little book. You also receive email updates and app notifications along the way as your test progresses through the process.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a good enough sample because you need to swab the cheek for 30-60 seconds and my pup is still super young and not very cooperative with things like that. But he actually did really well! Then I thought I had ruined the sample because when I pulled it out it had grass on it LOL but it was still usable. So it’s nice to know that a little contamination here and there doesn’t throw a wrench in things 🙂
Danielle –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Jennifer Champy –
Incredibly professional, very valuable information in regards to HEALTH screening and super fun to figure out his DNA.
We rescued our boy in November and we’re not positive of what he was. It wouldn’t have mattered because we love them anyway, but it was fun to find out his DNA. This was way more than just finding out what type of dog he is. This helped identify genes that he had.
It tested for over 400 different health screenings. I found them to be highly professional accurate and very reasonable priced for the amount of information you get.
If a human wanted to figure out this kind of information, it would’ve been thousands of dollars.
Jennifer Champy –
I’ve ordered two of these kits so far and I love how detailed they are in the results! It’s definitely worth the money, especially if you can find it when it’s on sale! The steps are easy to follow and you get updates throughout the entire process. I’ll be getting another one for my third dog for sure!
Sarah Cage –
This DNA test turned out to be pretty cool. It didn’t take too long and the results were both surprising but also made a lot of sense. We adopted a puppy from a local rescue and they said he was a Chi mix, but everyone that met him said that he looked like a German Shepherd. He turned out to be a mix of Chihuahua, Siberian Husky, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, and small poodle. I’m glad that we did the DNA test because the rescue said the pup would be a good couch buddy, but after seeing his genetic mix is mostly working breeds, that helped us realize that he needs more exercise and stimulation than we originally expected.
The combo test also provides lots of additional features like the pup’s ‘wolfiness’ level, genetic diseases etc and if your pup carries the gene, it even shows other dogs near you that have similar DNA and could be potential relatives. The test gave so much more information than I expected, and you can download the entire packet like a little book. You also receive email updates and app notifications along the way as your test progresses through the process.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a good enough sample because you need to swab the cheek for 30-60 seconds and my pup is still super young and not very cooperative with things like that. But he actually did really well! Then I thought I had ruined the sample because when I pulled it out it had grass on it LOL but it was still usable. So it’s nice to know that a little contamination here and there doesn’t throw a wrench in things 🙂
Tatiana –
Incredibly professional, very valuable information in regards to HEALTH screening and super fun to figure out his DNA.
We rescued our boy in November and we’re not positive of what he was. It wouldn’t have mattered because we love them anyway, but it was fun to find out his DNA. This was way more than just finding out what type of dog he is. This helped identify genes that he had.
It tested for over 400 different health screenings. I found them to be highly professional accurate and very reasonable priced for the amount of information you get.
If a human wanted to figure out this kind of information, it would’ve been thousands of dollars.
Precise Disarray –
This is the second time I’ve purchased this DNA kit. Once for my previous dog and again for my current puppy. It is well worth it. The kit is very easy to use, and the results are both thorough and accurate.
While I would love my dog regardless of breed, it was fun and informative to see which breeds contributed to his personality and physical traits. The health component also provided valuable peace of mind by identifying potential health conditions. I can confidently say the results are accurate, as my first dog was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease, which the test correctly identified.
One of my coworkers, who is a breeder, also uses this test to assess which traits her dogs may potentially pass on to their puppies.
I appreciated learning that my dog is 0% inbred, has close relatives who have also completed the DNA test, and seeing his allergy risk, among many other detailed insights.
My only suggestion for improvement would be to include an additional $5 toward postage for Canadian customers, as the provided stamps did not fully cover the mailing fee.
Precise Disarray –
I think it is worth it. Everyone has their own budgets so I dont factor in price in my rating. I was able to get this when on mega sale for $139.00 for the DNA & Health option. Fun process, loaded with info. Worth it.
We recently adopted what I was expecting to be a Lab & Mountain Curr mix. Her photos appeared that way, and she looked to be a bigger puppy with expected adult weight of 60 lbs. I am used to big dogs(80-110lbs), so when my soul mate beloved girl English lab passed away recently at just 7 years old, I set out to look to adopt a dog for her surviving brother (another English lab). Saw a listing for an 11 weeks old “Lab Mountain Curr mix”, her expression and details caught my interest and so I started the adoption process. She was in the south (rescue grabbed her from a kill shelter), I am in the north, they provide transport. Took a chance on sight unseen.
5 weeks later, she arrived. Basically we were catfished. She is actually 9-10 months old, and her pics were recent. So what I thought was a 30 lb 11 week old was actually a 28 lb 9 month old. That makes her a small/ish dog, and that makes her nearly full grown! SO, my 110 lb dog has a new 30 lb small dog. Our life and yard is set up for big dogs, not small. Ah well. We are adjusting. My boy is thrilled to have a friend.
Which brings us to, well what is she then? Labs tend to be larger to BIG, and Currs are medium to large with similar large weight ranges. What is this weird little dog?
I sniffed around various DNA test brands. I ultimately went with Embark (love the name) because of the tie to Cornell University (in my neck of the woods). My vet scoffs at these tests, but for me I figure it is simply information. I learn something or I dont.
I was basically curious, and I also wanted an idea what to look for in terms of play style, training, motivation, etc. I KNOW labs (and to lesser but sizable degree, Currs– hence the perfect match up for me), but I dont know other breeds. I am not set up to have a dog that needs to herd sheep, nor do I have an agility course. I want to know what the propensity is for the breeds she may be, so I can tailor my style to what she may need. I want her to blossom. Her personality description seemed like a good fit, but since we were basically catfished on some info, who knows what else was left to discover? Hence, DNA test.
Process was simple. Kit arrived very quickly. Just swab mouth with included tools, stick in tube, put in mailer (postage included), and mail it. They will contact you when kit has been picked up in mail, will contact when arrived. Will likely keep you informed of where they are at in the process and how long it will take. It feels more personal and professional. I got an early email saying they found a health red flag (potential back/neck disc issue). Then shortly after I got the full DNA & health results.
There is a TON of information, down to nitty gritty details for the science nerds. Also super easy graphics for those less inclined for data. This info can also be shared easily, including info can be sent to your vet if you want.
Nothing labrador related came up in results. She is basically a Super Mutt, not surprising. I was hoping for a little more standout on one breed, but the breeds that were sussed out are still small fractions. So 51% mega mutt (at least Mountain Curr is part of that), but for the 49%, that broke down into Beagle (12%), Great Pyrenese (10%—hilarious at her small size, but remember genotype differs from phenotype, AND her expect 40 lb weight means that she has big dog lineage). Then smaller % of boxer, golden retriever, german shepard, eskimo & collie. Oddly, I can kind of see it. Disappointed not to have lab in her. I know rescues always put “lab mix”, but I really did expect it given her “angle wing” at her “shoulders”.
There are link to each breed so you can quicky and easily learn about each listed as part of genetic profile.
Her expected adult weight is 40 lbs, which I concur with. I hope she gets bigger anyway.
Main thing is that she is sweet. Doesn’t have that deep intelligence that my English Labs have nor the deep soulful eyes, but I knew I was getting a mixed bag. It is an adjustment. Still learning about her, but now I have a little more framework to operate within.
What I like is that this Embark info doesnt stop here. They have a robust website loaded with info, and you can share pics and videos, take quizzes, dive into resources specific to your doggo and dogs in general. If there are any dogs that are close in relationship to yours then you can make contact as they are likely related. Neat stuff. I hope to find some relatives.
So please be sure to fill out as much info as you can, add some pics, and maybe you too will be able to connect with family members. Even if later down the line someone decided to do DNA kit with their dog, it they are a genetic match you will be able to find out.
If you are skeptical and have the extra money, you could wait to shop a sale to get another one, or from another brand to compare. Though if I did that, Id probably get this brand again for true fidelity of results.
Dot –
I’m so happy with this purchase. I’ve been wanting to do a DNA test for my dog for a while and after researching, Embark seemed to be the best choice. The test was quick and easy, with simple instructions and return by mail process. I got updates once my sample was received and every step throughout processing. I received the results quick! A little over 2 weeks. It was so cool to learn all about my pups breeds, but also loved that it included health factors as well as some characteristics. I always thought my rescue had her tail cropped. Come to find, she carries a gene that makes it most likely her tail is naturally bobbed. That was a pleasant discovery I wasn’t expecting, but definitely brought me some ease of mind. All in all, it was definitely worth the purchase!
Jennifer Champy –
Very happy with the product and the handling. Fast delivery (US to AU in 1 week), fast processing (3 weeks). Useful and cheery email updates along the way. The results are presented in a very accessible prose. Although we managed to contaminate the swab with a few bits of beef liver treats, the analysis seemed to have worked (otherwise our dog would have come out as like 20% cow).
This test achieved three goals:
* Screen for hereditary diseases, estimate treatment cost, compare to pet insurance premiums/cover and estimate whether pet insurance will be worth the investment (in our case for a completely healthy puppy – likely not).
* As a bday present for my wife, she was super happy to learn more about our rescue puppy. The photos and character descriptions of our puppy’s relatives on the embark website are a delight!
* The daily, hour-long discussions about which dog breeds look similar to our puppy and what breeds she might be a mix of now have found a satisfying resolution.
This test is definitely good value for very young dogs to evaluate pet insurance ROI. If hereditary conditions are found, early treatment can give your pup a longer, healthier life.
Amity Morgan –
Simple and effective! I did this on both of my puppies and was shocked to see the results. I wish I would have done this years ago. It even picked up on an elevated liver number that my dog was recently diagnosed with.
Danielle –
Came easy in the mail and was super easy to use!
Had a lot of fun doing this test on my dog and it was so helpful to figure out what her health problems were.
If you are looking for a test that will help you figure out health, breed, and more, this is the great test to use!
You can even see their relatives on the website (if the other families have done it too). Definitely recommend.
Tswartou –
I think it is worth it. Everyone has their own budgets so I dont factor in price in my rating. I was able to get this when on mega sale for $139.00 for the DNA & Health option. Fun process, loaded with info. Worth it.
We recently adopted what I was expecting to be a Lab & Mountain Curr mix. Her photos appeared that way, and she looked to be a bigger puppy with expected adult weight of 60 lbs. I am used to big dogs(80-110lbs), so when my soul mate beloved girl English lab passed away recently at just 7 years old, I set out to look to adopt a dog for her surviving brother (another English lab). Saw a listing for an 11 weeks old “Lab Mountain Curr mix”, her expression and details caught my interest and so I started the adoption process. She was in the south (rescue grabbed her from a kill shelter), I am in the north, they provide transport. Took a chance on sight unseen.
5 weeks later, she arrived. Basically we were catfished. She is actually 9-10 months old, and her pics were recent. So what I thought was a 30 lb 11 week old was actually a 28 lb 9 month old. That makes her a small/ish dog, and that makes her nearly full grown! SO, my 110 lb dog has a new 30 lb small dog. Our life and yard is set up for big dogs, not small. Ah well. We are adjusting. My boy is thrilled to have a friend.
Which brings us to, well what is she then? Labs tend to be larger to BIG, and Currs are medium to large with similar large weight ranges. What is this weird little dog?
I sniffed around various DNA test brands. I ultimately went with Embark (love the name) because of the tie to Cornell University (in my neck of the woods). My vet scoffs at these tests, but for me I figure it is simply information. I learn something or I dont.
I was basically curious, and I also wanted an idea what to look for in terms of play style, training, motivation, etc. I KNOW labs (and to lesser but sizable degree, Currs– hence the perfect match up for me), but I dont know other breeds. I am not set up to have a dog that needs to herd sheep, nor do I have an agility course. I want to know what the propensity is for the breeds she may be, so I can tailor my style to what she may need. I want her to blossom. Her personality description seemed like a good fit, but since we were basically catfished on some info, who knows what else was left to discover? Hence, DNA test.
Process was simple. Kit arrived very quickly. Just swab mouth with included tools, stick in tube, put in mailer (postage included), and mail it. They will contact you when kit has been picked up in mail, will contact when arrived. Will likely keep you informed of where they are at in the process and how long it will take. It feels more personal and professional. I got an early email saying they found a health red flag (potential back/neck disc issue). Then shortly after I got the full DNA & health results.
There is a TON of information, down to nitty gritty details for the science nerds. Also super easy graphics for those less inclined for data. This info can also be shared easily, including info can be sent to your vet if you want.
Nothing labrador related came up in results. She is basically a Super Mutt, not surprising. I was hoping for a little more standout on one breed, but the breeds that were sussed out are still small fractions. So 51% mega mutt (at least Mountain Curr is part of that), but for the 49%, that broke down into Beagle (12%), Great Pyrenese (10%—hilarious at her small size, but remember genotype differs from phenotype, AND her expect 40 lb weight means that she has big dog lineage). Then smaller % of boxer, golden retriever, german shepard, eskimo & collie. Oddly, I can kind of see it. Disappointed not to have lab in her. I know rescues always put “lab mix”, but I really did expect it given her “angle wing” at her “shoulders”.
There are link to each breed so you can quicky and easily learn about each listed as part of genetic profile.
Her expected adult weight is 40 lbs, which I concur with. I hope she gets bigger anyway.
Main thing is that she is sweet. Doesn’t have that deep intelligence that my English Labs have nor the deep soulful eyes, but I knew I was getting a mixed bag. It is an adjustment. Still learning about her, but now I have a little more framework to operate within.
What I like is that this Embark info doesnt stop here. They have a robust website loaded with info, and you can share pics and videos, take quizzes, dive into resources specific to your doggo and dogs in general. If there are any dogs that are close in relationship to yours then you can make contact as they are likely related. Neat stuff. I hope to find some relatives.
So please be sure to fill out as much info as you can, add some pics, and maybe you too will be able to connect with family members. Even if later down the line someone decided to do DNA kit with their dog, it they are a genetic match you will be able to find out.
If you are skeptical and have the extra money, you could wait to shop a sale to get another one, or from another brand to compare. Though if I did that, Id probably get this brand again for true fidelity of results.
Florian M –
Having adopted a dog from Cyprus we were curious about her breed mix. The breed we were advised she was came out as dominant, however, the other mix of breeds going back as far as her great grandparents made perfect sense and we can definitely see traits of them all knowing our girl.
More impressive was the fact I provided no information to Embark, so I didn’t tell them what breed I thought she might be or provide a picture so the results were literally just from the DNA swab. I definitely think it’s worth the cost. 🙂
Dot –
I had such a great experience with the Embark Breed & Health Test Kit! The results were accurate and so much fun to read through. It gives you tons of detailed information. not just about your dog’s breed mix, but also health traits, genetic risks, and even fun personality insights.
The breed breakdown was super thorough and easy to understand, and I loved learning more about where my dog’s traits come from. The health section was especially helpful and gave me peace of mind. Overall, it’s informative, easy to use, and really exciting to go through when the results come in. I’d definitely recommend it to any dog owner who’s curious about their pup’s background!