Embark’s dog DNA test
If your pup’s parentage is perplexing, a dog DNA test could reveal its ancestry. These tests use your dog’s saliva (and the thousands of DNA markers within it) to tell you which breeds make up its family tree. Embark’s breed database covers most dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, as well as some street dogs and the gray wolf. The company says its breed results are 95% to 99% accurate. And Embark analyzes twice as many genetic markers as the competition, leading to more-accurate results, experts say. The genetic-disease detection tool screens for over 200 mutations, more than any kit tested. Yet there’s no government oversight of the industry, so the genetic tests aren’t independently verified. Still, it is appreciateed Embark’s policy of contacting pet owners about worrisome results, which the competitors did not do. The website is easy to navigate and features a shareable dashboard and downloadable report, so sharing results is seamless.