Learn more about your dog’s traits and ancestry with a DNA test.

MDR1 In Dogs: Symptoms, Genetic Testing & More

By: Dr. Katherine Baldwin, Veterinarian | Updated October 14, 2021 | Filed Under: Conditions | Comments: Comments Off
Two collies sitting in grass with DNA on top of them (Caption: MDR1 In Dogs)

The study of dog genetics is revealing more about the health of our canine companions than ever before. Hidden in the genetic code of some dog breeds is a mutation that can increase their susceptibility to drug toxicity, which can lead to serious health consequences. Awareness of this defect is increasing, but some information and advice about it can be confusing or misinformed. Here, we explain the MDR1 (multi-drug resistance 1) gene, the breeds most affected, how to test for it, and what this genetic mutation could mean for your furry friend.

Read More »

Best Dog DNA Test Kit For Breed Identification, Health, Budget & More

By: Sally Jones | Reviewed By: Elizabeth Racine, DVM - DVM | Updated August 4, 2021 | Filed Under: Breeds, Wellness | Comments: 0
Dog with DNA test results on iPad (Caption: Best Dog DNA Test Kit)

Whether you want to find out which breeds make up your dog or see if he’s at a higher risk of developing a hereditary condition one day, an at-home dog DNA test can help you learn a lot more about your furry friend. What is the best dog DNA test? Companies and test kits can vary pretty widely in accuracy and the detail of results you get. So our experts have done the research for you to bring you our top picks overall and by category.

Read More »

Degenerative Myelopathy In Dogs: Symptoms, Prognosis, Treatment & More

By: Sally Jones | Reviewed By: Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM - DVM | Updated April 12, 2021 | Filed Under: Conditions | Comments: 1
Dog sick on bed (caption: Degenerative Myelopathy In Dogs)

Has your dog become less mobile? Is he having trouble going on walks or climbing stairs? There could be many reasons for this, including arthritis and hip dysplasia. But one lesser-known condition he could be suffering from is degenerative myelopathy (DM), an inherited spinal cord disease in dogs. Learn more about DM here to see if your dog could be at risk for this debilitating condition.

Read More »

Wisdom Panel Expert Interview: Leading The Way With Dog DNA

By: Sadie Cornelius | Updated April 27, 2021 | Filed Under: Breeds | Comments: 0
Dog DNA on Petri dish (caption: Interview Wisdom Panel DNA Expert)

Wisdom Panel’s scientists have been studying and collecting data for more than 20 years. With this experience and vast pool of data, they can accurately identify a dog’s DNA details alongside robust analysis and insights about what type of dog you have and potential underlying health conditions. Read our interview to learn more…

Read More »

Interview with Ryan Boyko, CEO & Co-Founder of Embark DNA

By: Sadie Cornelius | Updated January 11, 2018 | Filed Under: Breeds | Comments: 5
Ryan Boyko with dog

Ryan and his brother Adam Boyko have spent more than a decade learning everything they can about dogs. As a result of that passion for animals, they co-founded Embark to help pet owners everywhere make their own discoveries and better understand the genetic data behind each individual dog. Based in Austin, TX, Embark DNA kits provide valuable data for pup parents but also for the dedicated Embark team of vets and researchers who are using the information to make improvements to health and discover new insights. We had the chance to learn more about Embark straight from the top dogs’ mouth in this exclusive interview with Ryan Boyko, Embark’s Chief Executive Officer. You will not only get to know Ryan better but you will also learn more about the company and see why they’re our number one pick for the best DNA testing for dogs…

Read More »

Q&A With Embark’s Veterinary Geneticist, Dr. Erin Chu

By: Sadie Cornelius | Updated October 2, 2017 | Filed Under: Veterinary, Interviews | Comments: 2

We had some burning questions about Dog DNA tests, and we feel lucky to have found an expert to answer them! We are so thrilled that Dr. Chu took time out of her busy schedule to answer our dog DNA questions and help us better understand how it all works. Read on to learn more about how one becomes a geneticist, how accurate dog DNA tests are, how they differ from humans and much more as we dig deeper into this topic…

Read More »

Wisdom Panel Review: Our Dog’s Results Were Surprising

By: Kimberly Alt | Updated August 29, 2021 | Filed Under: Breeds, Wellness | Comments: 23
Sally licking dad's face

When my husband and I adopted our dog Sally in 2017 we were extremely curious about her dog breed makeup. We suspected she was hound of some sort but were uncertain of what type or anything else beyond that. So, we decided to take a dog DNA test to learn more. We completed a Wisdom Panel test for her and in less than two weeks, we had the results. What we discovered in the results was completely surprising to us…

Read More »

Embark Dog DNA Test Reviews: Is Your Mixed Breed A Mystery?

By: Sally Jones | Updated August 29, 2021 | Filed Under: Breeds, Wellness | Comments: 16
Embark DNA Test tube (Caption:Embark DNA Test Reviews)

Have you been pondering giving your dog a DNA test but heard that they’re unreliable? You’ll be happy to know; that’s not the case with Embark’s newest at-home dog genetic testing kit! Thanks to recent scientific advances, Embark now offers the most accurate at-home dog DNA test available on the market — for breed identification AND genetic health risks. Read our Embark DNA Test Review to see exactly what you can learn about your pup…

Read More »