5 Best Dog DNA Test Kits in 2024, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Finding out your dog’s breed isn’t just a fun activity for curious pet parents. There are many benefits of DNA testing for dogs, ranging from identifying genetic health risks to discovering physical traits that may affect how your four-legged friend looks.
With the help of our expert veterinarians, we’ve identified the best dog DNA test kit for pet parents with different budgets, purebred dog parents, and more.
If you’ve ever wondered what breed your mixed breed truly is or why your dog has such pointy ears, these DNA tests may help answer those questions.
What To Look for When Buying a Dog DNA Test Kit
Database and Breed Identification Accuracy
All of the companies in our roundup boast large databases of dog breeds that connect your own pup’s genetic information to existing breeds.
Wisdom Panel™ has a database of more than 365 dog breeds, Embark® has a database of more than 350, while Ancestry® has the most extensive database of over 400 dog breeds.
The number of pet parents who have used a company can also affect testing accuracy. Wisdom Panel has a community of 4 million dogs and cats, whereas around 1.5 million pups have been “embarked” with Embark.
Wisdom Panel claims to be over 98% accurate, while Embark is slightly higher at 99%.
Health Screening
Many dog DNA test kits these days do more than identify your dog’s breed makeup. They also provide insights into their genetic health risks.
Though a dog DNA test isn’t a substitute for going to your veterinarian to get regular pet wellness exams, it can indicate health issues your pup may be more likely to get depending on their breed.
For example, Wisdom Panel can check for more than 265 genetic health conditions. Embark can identify more than 250 genetic health conditions by scouring a database of more than 230,000 genetic markers across 350+ dog breeds.
Canine Community
Understanding your dog’s genetic makeup is just the beginning. These tests can also help you trace your dog’s lineage back several generations, connect with relatives of your dogs, or even dogs of similar breed mixes in your area.
This all allows you to chat with people who may have shared experiences with dogs from the same line.
How We Selected the Best Dog DNA Test Kits
This list of the best dog DNA test kits was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best
DNA test kits for dogs in their honest opinion, across multiple categories (as listed above) based on the following:
- Their knowledge and practical experience
- Review of information published by the test manufacturers
- Database size and accuracy of genetic testing
- Health screening accuracy and depth
- Whether companies have partnered with veterinary experts and/or institutes
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content, or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.
Dog DNA Test Kit FAQs
How accurate are dog DNA tests?
Dog DNA test results are becoming more and more accurate every day as increasing numbers of pet parents sign up for services and increase the size of databases.
Wisdom Panel and Embark are currently the most accurate, claiming to be more than 98% and 99% accurate, respectively.
Can you DNA test a dog to see what breed they are?
Yes, you can use all of the companies in our roundup to see what breed your dog is. If you’ve ever wondered what breed your mixed breed truly is or why your dog has such pointy ears, these DNA tests should give you the answers.
Do dog DNA tests tell age?
Some dog DNA tests do estimate your dog’s age. Embark, for example, offers a separate Dog Age Test for that.
