Best dog DNA tests: How to learn more about your pup and build a stronger bond

We didn't just put this at the top because of the dog pun (though that is an added bonus). You trust only the best for your fur baby, and Embark is nothing but praised by customers on Amazon. This is due to the fact that the people at Embark care about your dog just as much as you do — it tests both the maternal and paternal line of your dog, going all the way back to great grandparents. They'll test for a crazy 256 quadrillion genes and over 200 dog breeds, and are even able to tell you if your dog has any wolf or coyote in his or her blood. 

As for the health test, Embark screens for over 175 diseases and known medical issues for dogs, which is the highest number we've seen (AKA next to nothing will get past this test). Just swab the inside of your dog's cheek, send the tool back, and get your results in three to seven weeks.

Let's also discuss the stellar customer service: Unlike when you take your pet to a giant vet office and they want you to get in and out as fast as possible, Embark makes it obvious that they want the best for your pet. If something worrisome shows up in the health screening, they won't just send an envelope to your house that says "Surprise, your dog is dying" — they'll call you and break the news like a doctor would, and then talk you through the options. Amazing.

You can grab your Embark kit for $199 here. 

If you cannot for the life of you figure out what random mix of breeds your dog could possibly be, Wisdom Panel's vast breed database may be able to give you answers. Just swab the inside of your dog's cheek with the provided tool, send it back, and get your results in two to three weeks. 

This kit claims to have the largest breed database in the dog DNA market, testing for over 350 canine breeds — that's accounting for nearly 100 more breeds than most other tests. This huge database is ideal for dogs who may be mixed with breeds that aren't common in the United States. Wisdom Panel tests for a huge variety of international breeds (like the Jindo and the Mexican street dog), and even other canine species like the coyote and the wolf. So yeah, your dog could come back as being directly descended from wolves.

While Wisdom Panel tests for more breeds, it does test for significantly fewer genetic markers than Embark does, meaning the results may not be as accurate. Remember, if your dog is a mutt and both of his parents were mutts, the chance of finding the exact percentages of each breed can be slightly limited, and something like "51% mixed breed" may come back if some older grandparent genes can't be untangled. (Same for dogs imported from outside the U.S.) Worth a shot, though.

This new-and-improved Wisdom Panel test also offers trait and medical testing, unlike the previous generations of the lowest-tier test. The Essential kit tests for 35 different traits (like coat length, coat color, and ideal weight) to give you the big picture on why your dog is the way they are. The medical portion of the test screens for over 25 common medical complications including drug sensitivities and bleeding disorders, and will tell you if your dog is potentially at risk for any of them. Most importantly, it'll test for the potentially life-saving MDR1 drug sensitivity. Sweet.

Determining what type of dog you actually have is obviously cool, and finding out if there are any medical issues that you need to prepare for is handy. But what do you do after you find out that information? After comparing your dog's genes to over 220 breeds, HomeDNA testing takes things to the next level by transforming the info into a "life plan" for your dog to live the longest, happiest life possible. They'll give personalized (er, doggo-ized) information about the best food to feed your dog, how big that specific mix should grow to be, and even the best way to play and interact with your dog's breed. (This also makes for an A+ bonding experience.)

HomeDNA also offers a package with a health screening (instead of the breed finder) and life plan package, testing your dog for over 100 genetic diseases and traits that could be bad. While that number may be high enough for you, we've seen other kits test for up to 160 medical issues — so if you're super into the health aspects, we'd suggest a different kit. At any rate, you'll just swab the inside of your dog's cheek with the provided tool, send it back, and get your results in around three weeks.

Both the Mixed-Breed Identification Test and the Health Screening Test are sold separately at $125 each. We love the idea of the mixed-breed one with the personalized nutrition and play info, but a health screening for $125 just isn't as good of a deal as kits mentioned above. Learn more and get them here.

If you want to go beyond the basic health testing of the Wisdom Panel Essential Kit, but don't want to shell out $200 for an Embark test, the Wisdom Panel Premium is the best middle ground. As with the Wisdom Panel Essential kit, you'll be able to test your pup's breed mix across 350+ AKC-registered breeds, get the lowdown on their traits, trace ancestry back to their great-grandparents, and get basic medical screening. In addition, the Wisdom Panel Premium kit offers over 200 advanced genetic health tests — ideal for pet parents keen on getting a comprehensive picture of their pup's health.

Some doggie health problems are related to breed — especially with purebred dogs or dogs with purebred parents — so finding out their breed and potential health concerns at the same time makes a ton of sense. This kit screens for common genetic health issues like the MDR1 drug sensitivity and obesity risk (POMC), as well as plenty of rare diseases, like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Startle Disease. 

When you get your dog's test results back, you'll find out if they're clear, notable, or at-risk for any of the diseases, giving you important knowledge to take to your vet. Getting the lowdown on these health issues before symptoms show up in your pupper could potentially save you a lot of money on vet bills — and give your furry friend a better quality of life.