Curious What Your Dog is Made Of?
DNA tests can tell you a lot about your dog’s genetic makeup and potential for specific health issues. DNA tests are surprisingly accurate and very inexpensive. So whether you’re just curious what your dog’s breed makeup is, or you’re trying to prepare yourself for possible health issues down the road, a dog DNA test is money well spent.
What is a Dog DNA Test?
Humans have their own DNA, so do dogs, and each pure breed has a distinctive set of markers that can be identified through a simple DNA analysis. Getting a DNA test for your dog is very easy. You order a kit, take a swab from your dog’s cheek and send the kit back to the company for analysis. Then in two to six weeks the company will send back your custom results.
Best Dog DNA Test Kits
Not all dog breed DNA tests are created equal. Some tests use a simple swab others use blood testing. And the more breeds in a company’s database the greater the accuracy of the test. We did a bunch of research and found the top four dog DNA test kits currently available.
Wisdom Panel ® 4.0
Wisdom Panel was created by Mars, which is a leader in the veterinary care industry. It’s considered the gold-standard in dog DNA testing because they have the deepest database of breed information and have sold the most kits of any company.
- Cost: $84.99
- Method: Swab
- Tests your dog’s DNA against 250+ different breeds
- Results in 2-3 weeks
- Over 400,000 tests sold
Embark
Founded in 2016, Embark is the newest dog DNA test company. The company’s test provides comprehensive breed and health profiles for dog of all ages.
- Cost: $199.00
- Method: Swab
- Tests for over 160 genetic diseases including MDR1, degenerative myelopathy and more
- Results in 8 weeks
- Uses over 200,000 genetic markers
DNA My Dog
DNA My Dog provides a custom DNA report along with a custom certificate with a photo of your dog stating their unique DNA composition.
- Cost: $59.99
- Method: Swab
- Tests against 85 breeds
- Results in less than 2 weeks
- Easy, 1-minute canine DNA swab kit
DDC Veterinary
Founded in 1995, DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) is the world’s largest, most experienced private DNA testing laboratory.
- Cost: $74.99
- Method: Swab
- Tests dog’s DNA against 200+ different breeds
- Results in 2-3 weeks
- Test can be performed for mixed breeds, designer breeds or purebreds
Summary
The more you know about your dog’s breed profile the better you can anticipate potential health issues. Don’t take dog DNA test results too seriously, think of them as a fun process that can give you a better idea about the genetic lines of your furry friend. But for less than $100 you can find out what your dog is really made of, which can help prepare you for potential dog health conditions down the road.
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