As an Amazon Associate, SnoutTech earns from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
The best dog DNA test depends on one question: do you just want to know what breeds your dog is, or do you also want genetic health screening? Embark and Wisdom Panel are the two big names, and each sells a breed-only kit and a breed-plus-health kit. We compared six kits so you can pick the right tier. A DNA kit is also one of the most popular gifts for dog owners every December.
Last updated: September 2026.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Embark Breed & Health, covering 400+ breeds and 270+ genetic health risks.
- Best alternative for health: Wisdom Panel Premium, with 430+ breeds and 265+ health tests.
- Best budget breed test: Wisdom Panel Essential, with 430+ breeds and 30 health tests.
- Best Embark breed-only kit: Embark Breed ID, for owners who just want the breed answer.
- Best for purebred dogs and breeders: Embark Purebred, which adds inbreeding (COI) and trait details.
- Best gift bundle: Embark Breed + Health with Dog Age Test, which estimates your dog’s age as well.
Dog DNA tests compared
| Kit | Best for | Price tier | Breeds (per listing) | Health screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embark Breed & Health | Most mixed-breed dogs | Premium | 400+ | 270+ risks |
| Wisdom Panel Premium | Health-focused owners | Premium | 430+ | 265+ tests |
| Wisdom Panel Essential | Curious owners, budget | Mid-range | 430+ | 30 tests |
| Embark Breed ID | Breed answer only | Mid-range | 400+ | None |
| Embark Purebred | Breeders, purebreds | Premium | n/a (purebred) | 270+ conditions |
| Embark + Age Test bundle | Gifts, rescue dogs | Premium | 400+ | Yes, plus age |
How we evaluated these kits
We didn’t send samples to both labs for this article, and we won’t pretend we did. We compared each kit’s published scope (number of breeds, number of health tests, extras like relatives, traits and age), matched each tier to the owner it suits, and flagged the limitations every DNA test shares.
All of these kits work the same way. You swab the inside of your dog’s cheek, mail the sample to the lab, and read the results online in a few weeks.
Important: a genetic health result is a screening flag, not a diagnosis. Carrying a variant doesn’t mean your dog will get sick. Take any health result to your vet before acting on it.
1. Embark Breed & Health: best overall
Bottom line: This is the kit to buy if you want one test that answers both questions: what breeds your dog is and what genetic health risks it carries. Per the listing, it covers 400+ breeds and 270+ health risks, which makes it the most complete single kit for most mixed-breed dogs.
- SCREENS 270+ GENETIC HEALTH RISKS: Find out early if your dog has a genetic risk for conditions like MDR1 (a sensitivity…
- MOST ACCURATE DOG DNA TEST AVAILABLE: Identifies 400+ breeds, types, and varieties, including village dogs, so mixed-bre…
- THE ONLY DOG DNA TEST WITH PERSONALIZED ALLERGY RISK SCORES: Get your dog’s genetic risk across four allergy types: envi…
Embark’s reports also include relative matching, which finds other Embark-tested dogs that share your dog’s DNA. That’s a fun extra for rescue dogs with an unknown background. The health section is what justifies the premium price over breed-only kits.
- Good for: mixed-breed and rescue dogs, owners planning ahead on health, and anyone who wants the most complete report.
- Watch out for: results take a few weeks, and the price is in the premium tier.
Who this is NOT for: owners who only want a fun breed breakdown. The Embark Breed ID or Wisdom Panel Essential gives that for less.
2. Wisdom Panel Premium: best alternative for health
Bottom line: Wisdom Panel Premium is the main rival to Embark Breed & Health, with 430+ breeds and 265+ health tests per the listing. Choose between the two by which report and app you prefer, since the scope is similar.
- Screen For More Health Conditions Than Any Other DNA Test. We test for 265+ genetic health conditions (including MDR1, I…
- The Most Accurate Breed Detection: Screen for 430+ breeds to get a breed report down to 1%. Because knowing every detail…
- 5m+ Pets Tested In 50+ Countries: Wisdom Panel is the world’s leading dog DNA service thanks to its quick, painless swab…
Wisdom Panel lists a larger breed database, while Embark lists slightly more health screening. For most owners either kit gives a thorough breed-and-health picture.
Who this is NOT for: budget buyers who don’t need health screening. Wisdom Panel Essential is the cheaper step down.
3. Wisdom Panel Essential: best budget breed test
Bottom line: If you mainly want to know what your dog is, Wisdom Panel Essential covers 430+ breeds and adds 30 health tests, so it’s a good value middle ground between a pure breed test and a full health panel.
- The Most Accurate Breed Detection: Screen for 365+ breeds to get a breed report down to 1%. Because knowing every detail…
- Unlock 30 Essential Health Insights: Screen for genetic health tests (including MDR1 and IVDD) to get ahead of health ri…
- Meet Their Relatives: 99.9% of dogs tested have a relative match through Wisdom Panel. With the world’s largest breed da…
For a rescue dog with a mystery background, this answers the “what breed is it?” question without the premium health-panel price. It’s also available as a 2-pack for multi-dog homes.
Who this is NOT for: owners of breeds with known inherited conditions who want broad health screening. Go Premium or Embark Breed & Health instead.
4. Embark Breed ID: best Embark breed-only kit
Bottom line: Embark Breed ID gives you Embark’s breed breakdown (400+ breeds) without the health section. Embark states 99% breed accuracy on the listing. It’s the right pick if you like Embark’s reports but don’t want to pay for health screening.
- BREED IDENTIFICATION: Embark screens for over 400 dog breeds. Using a research-grade genotyping platform developed in pa…
- RELATIVE FINDER: Find and connect with your pup’s family through the world’s first canine relative finder. Over 90% of d…
- ANCESTRY: Our genetic analysis can reveal most dogs’ breed mix going back to their great-grandparents. With the informat…
Breed-only kits suit owners who are simply curious, or who plan to discuss health testing with their vet separately. Some owners start here and upgrade later.
Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants health or carrier information. This kit doesn’t include it.
5. Embark Purebred: best for purebred dogs and breeders
Bottom line: Embark Purebred is built for dogs you already know are purebred. Instead of a breed breakdown, it focuses on genetic health (270+ conditions), physical traits and coefficient of inbreeding (COI), details breeders use when planning litters.
- ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: 75% of dogs are either at risk or a carrier for a genetic health condition. Embark’s panel t…
- BREED VALIDATION: Embark’s test accurately identifies more breeds and varieties than any other test on the market, so yo…
- DISCOVER RELATIVES, TRAITS, AND MORE: Find and connect with your pup’s family through the world’s first canine relative …
COI measures how closely related a dog’s parents are, and it’s a key number in responsible breeding. For a pet owner with a mixed breed, it’s the wrong kit.
Who this is NOT for: mixed-breed or rescue dogs. Buy Embark Breed & Health instead.
6. Embark Breed + Health with Dog Age Test: best gift bundle
Bottom line: This bundle adds Embark’s dog age test to the full Breed & Health kit, estimating your dog’s age alongside breed, relatives, genetic health and traits. It’s the most complete (and most “giftable”) option here.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Embark’s Age test works best for dogs who are past the puppy stage.
- BREED + HEALTH TEST: Get your dog’s breed mix with 99% breed ID accuracy—the most accurate breed breakdown on the market…
- DOG AGE TEST: Using the science of epigenetics, Embark measures DNA methylation to estimate your dog’s age and birthday….
An age estimate is most useful for rescue dogs whose birthday is unknown. It’s a genuinely thoughtful gift for a dog owner who has everything.
Who this is NOT for: owners who already know their dog’s age, or buyers on a budget.
Buyer’s guide: how to choose a dog DNA test
Breed-only or breed + health?
Breed-only kits answer “what is my dog?”. Breed + health kits also screen for genetic variants linked to inherited conditions. If your dog is a mixed breed you’ll keep for life, the health tier gives you more to talk through with your vet.
How accurate are dog DNA tests?
Breed results are generally reliable for the main breeds in a dog’s mix, while small percentages and distant ancestry are less certain. The American Kennel Club’s guide to dog DNA tests explains what these kits can and can’t tell you.
How long do results take?
Expect a few weeks from when the lab receives the sample. If it’s a Christmas gift, the recipient swabs and mails it after opening, so the results arrive in the new year.
Tips for a good sample
- Don’t let your dog eat or drink for a while before swabbing. Follow the kit’s instructions on timing.
- Swab firmly inside the cheek for the full time stated.
- Keep other dogs away from the swab so their DNA doesn’t mix in.
- Register the kit online before you mail it.
Once you know your dog better, pick gear that suits it. See our guides to the best interactive dog toys and the best GPS dog trackers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog DNA test?
For most mixed-breed dogs, Embark Breed & Health is the most complete single kit, covering 400+ breeds and 270+ health risks per its listing. Wisdom Panel Premium is a close alternative. If you only want breed results, Wisdom Panel Essential or Embark Breed ID costs less.
Is Embark or Wisdom Panel better?
They’re close. Wisdom Panel lists more breeds (430+), while Embark lists slightly more health screening (270+ vs 265+) and offers relative matching. Choose by which report you prefer and which tier fits your budget.
Can a DNA test tell me my dog’s age?
Standard kits don’t, but Embark sells a dog age test, including as a bundle with its Breed & Health kit.
Are dog DNA health results reliable enough to act on?
Treat them as screening results. A flagged variant is a reason to talk to your vet, not a diagnosis, and many variants never cause disease.
Do dog DNA tests make good gifts?
Yes. They’re one of the most popular dog-owner gifts in November and December, especially for owners of rescue dogs. Remember that results arrive a few weeks after the sample is mailed.
Is there a DNA test for cats?
Yes, cat DNA tests exist from other providers, but they’re a separate product. The kits in this guide are for dogs only.
Our verdict
Verdict: Buy Embark Breed & Health for the most complete picture of a mixed-breed dog, or Wisdom Panel Premium as the equal alternative. For breed-only curiosity, choose Wisdom Panel Essential or Embark Breed ID. Breeders should go Embark Purebred, and for a standout gift the Embark + Age Test bundle is hard to beat.
