How well do you understand your dog? Do you know its genetic breed and the traits it has? Raising your dog without understanding them could be a big problem especially on matters to do with health and disease control.
Luckily, with technological advancement and proliferation of DNA testing on animals, dog breeders now have an opportunity to better understand their pets. This will, in turn, help the dog lead a healthier and happier life. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we have analyzed dozens of dog DNA test kits and handpicked only the best of the lot.
Best Pick – Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification DNA Test Kit
Accurate & Dependable
It takes a lot to find a dependable and accurate dog’s DNA test kit. The attention to detail and efforts put through Wisdom Panel 3.0 DNA kit is incredible and unlike any other. It matches the dog’s DNA to a database of 250 dog breeds, which is by far the most comprehensive. Besides that, you will get more details about the dog and how to manage its health and nutrition. What more? You can expect your comprehensive and accurate report within 2 weeks.
Best Dog DNA Test Kits 2023
Here are 7 of the best dog DNA testing kits that you can find in the market today.
7. Canine Genetic Age Test DNA My Dog NEXTGEN
Want to know much more about your dog by tracing its roots? This handy kit allows you to take a simple swab, send it to the NEXTGEN’s labs and have all the details that you ever wanted to know about your dog. The details provided through this DNA test kit include determining all the relative breeds and traits that your dog and even going ahead to detail your dog’s DNA age.
Using the kit is straightforward and only takes minutes. It is a good DNA testing kit that is easy to use and fair to the pocket.
Pros and Cons
- It offers a lot of genetic details about your dog.
- It doesn’t take long to get the results.
- Some people question the consistency of the results with this kit.
6. Hybrid Test -Wolf or Coyote Test plus Canine DNA Breed Identification Test
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Breed DNA Analysis Certificate, Breed Determination Report.
This Hybrid Wolf or Coyote DNA breed test kit focuses more on breed identification and classifying your dog breed. By identifying whether your dog has some wolf could help you understand some of its behavioral expectations. It works simply just like any other cheek swab and after sending your sample, you can expect to get results in as soon as 2 – 3 weeks.
The results list all the relationship that your dog has with other breeds by percentage and this could be in the dozens. Based on most users’ opinions, the analysis is genetically accurate and very reliable. This is a very good dog DNA testing kit to help dog owners know if their dog has wolf genes plus the many breeds the dog is related to.
Pros and Cons
- It is an excellent and accurate DNA test kit for anyone that would love to know the relationship tree of their dog.
- It is easy to follow the manual and use the DNA testing kit.
- The DNA kit only gives an insight on breed and family and not on health and behavioral expectations.
5. ORIVET Dog DNA Test Kit
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Personalized Life Plan, Health risk analysis report.
Orivet dog DNA test is yet another amazing choice to consider. It is still fairly new to the market, but so far it has inspired nothing but positive reactions from many dog owners. Besides just helping users test their dog’s DNA, it also comes with a personalized life plan for their dog.
One of the reasons why people are loving the approach with this test kit is that it not only gives one detail about their dog’s DNA but also gives them details about their dog’s health risks. This lets one come up with good nutritional feeding programs and know when their dogs need health attention.
Pros and Cons
- It is very effective and dependable.
- Test results come fast.
- Not the best test for breed type health analysis.
4. DNA My Dog – Canine Breed Identification Test Kit
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Comprehensive report, easy to use, painless application.
Acquiring the genetic breed information about your dog is one of the important things you need to do as a pet owner. It allows you to understand your dog’s genetic identification, and this knowledge will help you become more proactive about their wellness. The DNA My Dog – Canine Breed Identification Test Kit is an amazing test kit you can use for your dog. This at-home test kit is easy to use, and with a simple cheek swab, you’ll acquire enough DNA material for testing. Your dog will not experience any pain during the entire process, making them much more receptive to the testing.
The test kit gives a detailed report of your dog’s DNA. The report details all the breeds found in your dog by percentage and the genetic analysis. You will also get an outline of all the general health concerns and personality traits for each breed found in your dog’s gene. It takes 2 weeks to get the results and a custom certificate for your dog.
Pros and Cons
- Users get a custom certificate after testing.
- The results are delivered at record speed.
- The kit gives a detailed analysis of your dog’s parentage and genetic makeup.
- A picture of your dog is recommended to get the results quickly and accurately.
3. Embark Breed Identification Kit
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Accurate testing, 250 dog breed matching.
Embark has been an industry leader, and this simple DNA test kit is perfect for anyone who wants to know the ancestry tree of their dog. It is very efficient and offers dependable results. This test kit is the smaller version of the Embark full DNA test kit which offers more than just testing breeds.
This is a dependable DNA test kit that offers more than just ancestry and DNA records. It is a perfect choice for anyone who is just interested in their dog’s DNA without spending too much money.
Pros and Cons
- The test results from this DNA kit are very accurate.
- It matches the dog with over 250 breeds.
- Could be a bit cheaper as it is only for DNA.
2. Embark Dog DNA Test Kit & Genetic Health Screening
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Advanced genetic information, wide range of disease analysis.
Embark dog DNA test kit is among the best selling analytic kits for your pet. It’s range of functionality ranges from breed discovery, genetic ancestry, health and behavioral analysis. Buyers have the option to choose between a single pack, a 2 pack and a 3 pack. Embark is certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for animals and is in partnership with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. It has the ability to test over 175 dog breeds, over 160 diseases and provides 20 times more genetic information than any other dog DNA testing kit.
Despite being a bit pricier than most dog DNA test kits, it comes packed with tons of high end features that offer better understanding and analysis. If you are looking for a dog DNA test kit from reputable veterinary experts, then this should be among the top considerations on your list.
Pros and Cons
- The dog DNA test kit has a high customer satisfaction rating.
- Embark is a reputable brand that offers quality and unquestionable accuracy.
- As compared to other DNA test kits, this is considerably high.
1. Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification DNA Test Kit
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: MDR1 screening, large breed database.
Wisdom health is a well known name in the pet world and its Wisdom Panel 3.0 is just another awesome product that is reliable that is loved by thousands of dog owners. With 250 dog breeds in their database, which is the highest as compared to other dog DNA tester kits, nothing could be more detailed than this. It is licensed to offer canine DNA tests in the US, which makes it one of the few reliable companies in the industry.
After collecting and sending your dog’s DNA sample, you can expect the results within 2-3 weeks. The report is a detailed insight featuring a lot of things that will help you better understand and care for the dog. Among some of the things that Wisdom panel does better than any other in the market is its MDR1 drug sensitivity analysis which helps understand what drugs are suitable for the dog.
Pros and Cons
- The genetic results are very accurate and even identifies very specific breeds.
- It has a high customer satisfaction rate than most in the market.
- It comes with plenty of features that give better and detailed analytics.
- Some improvements could be made to offer more detailed analysis on mixed dog breeds.
Choosing A Good Dog DNA Test Kit
Here is how to go about picking the right dog DNA testing kits for your dog.
Test Accuracy
The quality of the tested results is something that you cannot gamble on. The results must be spot on since it will affect the way you attend to your dog. There are lots of DNA testing kits that one can find in the market, but not all of them can be relied on to provide accurate results. Some of them are poorly built and lack some important features that can help gather more information on your pet. Some of these testing kits also have advanced technological integration that helps to further analyze and understand the traits that your dog has. With this in mind, you need to focus on getting a good DNA testing kit that has everything to perform an accurate test on your pet.
Ease of Use
Not everyone can use a DNA testing kit, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot. DNA testing kits come in different designs, each having their own features and functionalities. This also means that some will be easier to read and use than others. You should choose one that is easy to use and understand. There is also a manual that comes with most of these testing kits which will help you get a better understanding of what you are handling.
Coverage of Breeds Tested
Perhaps one of the things that differentiate the DNA testers is the number of breeds that one can test using the kit. They are designed differently and for different needs. While you will come across a DNA testing kit that tests only 50 diseases and a couple hundreds of genetic markers, you will also come across one that can test hundreds of diseases and over 200,000 genetic markers. You should, therefore, choose a dog DNA testing kit based on how well you need to understand your pet.
Pricing
Just like with everything else, one needs to make sure that they are not overspending on the DNA kit that they choose to buy. However, you shouldn’t just get any low priced as some tend to be flimsy or have poor performance. most pricier dog DNA testing kits tend to have more advanced features and database that offers advanced analysis on your dog breed and other factors. You should get something that offers you good value for the money you spend.
Final Verdict
Dog is man’s best friend, but what good is that if they don’t get good healthcare? With a good dog DNA testing kit, you can better understand your dog by analyzing the diseases they are prone to, understanding their behaviors and what to expect of them. Above, are some of the best dog DNA testing kits that you can rely on for accurate and reliable results. Check out this pet lovers and pet info website if you’d want to pursue more tips and information about pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Dog DNA Tests Accurate?
A: The accuracy of dog DNA tests depends on a number of factors. First, the method used in collecting and testing the DNA of the dog. The other thing that could affect the accuracy and the findings is the legitimacy of the lab performing the test. When done by a Vet-approved lab, the test results are usually accurate. There are some advanced kits offered by some Vet labs which are also good in doing your own home dog DNA testing.
Q: How Are Dog DNA Tests Done?
A: A while ago blood tests were used in identifying and analyzing dogs, but today, almost every test is done by taking the dog’s saliva. Usually, a kit is provided whee the dog owner then swabs the dog’s cheek, then seals the raw tests before sending it to the lab.
Q: How Long Does Dog DNA Take?
A: It usually depends on the company and the lab doing as well as the time taken to transport the tests from one place to the other. The actual process itself isn’t so tedious and doesn’t take too long. In the United States, most labs deliver the dog DNA results in a couple of weeks, which is usually between 2-6 weeks.
Q: What Does a Dog DNA Test Tell You?
A: Usually dog DNA testing involves performing lab tests on the samples, which is usually saliva swabbed from the dog’s cheeks. It usually involves comparing and identifying hereditary traits by comparing it against many other dog breeds. You will get various statistics depending on the lab doing the test and the size of dog breed database.
Q: Do Dog DNA Tests Test For Wolves?
A: Wolfs are in the same family as dogs and there have been a lot of dog tests that have shown Wolf hereditary traits. Not all of the labs that you will come across will test for this. It is usually a Hybrid test that will help to determine this, and the good thing about that is that you can do it in the comfort of your home with the dog DNA test kits like the ones shared above.
