Admit it. You must have at one point or other been curious about what breeds make up your beloved pup and why he behaves the way he does. You might also have had some concerns that he may be prone to certain hereditary diseases due to his lineage. Whatever the reasons for wanting to know what dog breeds are in your pooch, the good news is you can get answers to all your questions by doing a DNA test by mail order. DNA tests are an exciting and informative way of understanding your dog’s traits which can help you take better care of your furry friend.
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How Does Dog DNA Testing Work?
DNA tests are actually not that complicated. At-home dog DNA tests are especially easy to carry out. All you need to do is take a swab from your dog’s cheek, put it in the container provided by the DNA testing company and mail it back to them in a prepaid envelope. However, some DNA tests like the Mars Veterinary’s Wisdom Panel Professional are more technical and require you to take a blood test at your vet’s office. Once you’ve submitted a tissue sample you can expect to get a report with your dog’s DNA results in a few weeks’ time. Some companies even give you the percentage breakdown of the different breeds that constitute your dog and explain which hereditary diseases he might be predisposed to. Others also provide purebred and designer dog testing.
How Knowing Your Dog’s DNA Test Results Can Help You.
Once you’re armed with knowledge about which predominant breeds are in your dog, you can take the results to your vet and discuss various health issues that arise with specific breeds. According to some dog experts, Dobermans are known to suffer from hemophilia, while Boxers are susceptible to getting cancer. Having an awareness about these potential risks in advance and asking your veterinarian to be on the lookout for them, can make a great difference when taking care of your pet.
DNA testing can also help you understand your dog’s other traits better such as how big your puppy is likely to grow, his temperament and how long he’s likely to live for. By knowing which diseases your pup is predisposed to due to his breed type you can also consult your vet on the best diet to protect him against the progression of these diseases. For example, if your dog is predisposed to arthritis you can put him on a diet with ingredients that help fight the condition. Knowing your dog’s unique personality traits can help you create the best training strategy that’s adapted to his behavior patterns.
What’s the Best Dog DNA Test?
This article looks at 5 of the best DNA dog test available in the market and their various features to help you know what you can expect from them. We’ve chosen several of the best DNA dog tests on the market and given you detailed information about what you can learn from each one. All are at-home cheek-swab tests, although the type of results you’ll receive varies from one test to another.
1. Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification DNA Test Kit
Wisdom Panel 3.0 is a DNA test kit that uses a simple cheek swab to help you uncover your dog’s DNA makeup and includes a customized report.
Features
- With more than 250 breeds, types and varieties covered, the wisdom panel DNA test kit features the largest breed database of any DNA test globally.
- The only canine DNA test that offers the potentially life-saving MDR1 drug sensitivity screening under license in the US at no extra cost.
- This single test enables you to test your dog’s breed ancestry as far back as his great-grandparents whether he’s a Mixed Breed, Purebred or Designer Dog.
- Short turn around for processing of DNA test results, typically 2-3 weeks after the sample arrives. Shipping to the lab is pre-paid
- Sample taking is a simple cheek swab.
What we liked:
- The test is simple and affordable.
- The Test is comprehensive and covers 99% of 180 breeds recognized by AKC.
- The kit comes with 2 swabs which can be replaced for free if damaged.
- Great customer support by phone or email.
- The test kit makers have a good website resource that clearly explains the canine DNA testing process. The site is also user-friendly.
- The test includes an adult weight range prediction to help you choose the right nutrition and diet for your pet.
What we didn’t like:
The kit only offers genetic mutation testing for two inherited health conditions.
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2. Embark | Dog DNA Test | Breed Identification | 160 Health Results | 200K Genetic Markers
Embark is an all-encompassing dog DNA test that screens for breed identification, traits, ancestry and genetic disease risk and at the same time covers 160 known canine genetic health complications.
Features
- Is a proven and tested DNA test kit that tests over 200,000 genetic markers and reconstitutes your breed mix chromosome by chromosome.
- Embark DNA test results are relayed through an interactive guide which you can access on desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
- Enables you to test for three of the most common adult-onset diseases in dogs like glaucoma, enabling you to extend your dog’s health span by warning you early on the appropriate interventions required.
What we liked:
- Embark tests over 100 times more genetic markers than competitors in the marketplace.
- It does genetic mutation testing for more than 160 canine health conditions.
- Replaces your swab for free in case of damage.
- Great customer support with live chat or email available to help you interpret the test results when the need arises.
- Rather than simply tell you the breeds in your dog, Embark takes the time to explain why your dog looks like your dog using the genetic basis of appearance.
- Makers of Embark do charitable work with animal shelters.
What we didn’t like:
- The test kit is pricey.
- The kit tests for 150 out of 187 AKC recognized dog breeds, which is fewer than Wisdom Panel.
- Test results take longer to process 6-8 weeks compared to the customary 2-3 weeks.
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3. Find My Pet DNA Dog DNA Test
Features
- The test includes a pre-paid label for ease of sending your Dog’s DNA sample.
- The database currently includes over 200 breeds and therefore gives the pet owner a more long-term history of their pet’s ancestry.
- For more than 99% of the samples they have received, Find My Pet has been able to match the samples to the breeds in its database.
- The Find My Pet DNA test will not only show you some of the more obvious breeds in your dog’s genetic makeup but breeds further back in your dog’s ancestry.
- Results include a report detailing your dog’s dominant breeds, personality traits and potential health concerns.
What we liked:
- The test is simple and accurate with a 99% level of reliability.
- Results come with custom photo certificate of the breeds that constitute your dog’s genetic breed composition and percentage breakdown of the levels found in your dog’s unique DNA
- Price is pocket-friendly.
What we didn’t like:
- Results are divulged 3-4 weeks after you mail them, one week longer than the customary 2-3 weeks waiting period.
- It does not test for the MDR1 gene.
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4. Wisdom Panel Mixed Breed DNA Test Kit
Wisdom Panel Insights is the most comprehensive mixed-breed cheek swab DNA test in the market and can help trace back your mixed-breed dog’s ancestry.
Features:
- Is designed to create a more targeted and effective behavior training plan.
- Plan exercise and play activities that cater to your dog’s natural tendencies.
- Assists you to customize your dog’s diet and nutrition plan in line with the breed’s specific needs
- Distinguishes the breed makeup of your dog.
What we liked:
- Delivers fast results compared to competitors in the market.
- The instructions are simple enough to follow.
- The company that makes the test kit is very responsive to customer questions and have a user-friendly website.
What we didn’t like:
- Cost is on the higher side.
- Not particularly effective for testing mutts.
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5. Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 2.5 Breed Identification DNA Test Kit
Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel uses a simple cheek swab to give the pet owner a better understanding of your dog’s unique appearance, behaviors and wellness needs based on his DNA makeup.
Features:
- Includes MDR1 testing and direct testing for the mutant MDR1 gene. The results can be used in the prevention of severe drug reactions.
- It does adult weight range prediction to assist you in making the right nutrition and diet choices.
- Provides breed insights to help you design a more responsive training program based on your dog’s behavior.
- Results include an official Ancestry Report that reveals your dog’s a genetic background.
What we liked:
- Results are delivered fast and are reliable compared to competitors in the market.
- The instructions are simple enough to follow.
- The test is very comprehensive covering over 200 dog breeds, types and varieties.
- The company has a user-friendly website where you can check if there’s a test available for your particular breed of dog.
What we didn’t like:
The Price of the test is on the higher side.
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