It’s cool to know about your dog’s ancestors. You love your dog regardless of her breed. It’s amazing to find out if your mixed-breed dog has a retriever who loves water, a retriever who loves hunting, or a German Shepherd that is protective and herding. This makes it easier to feel closer with your dog.
Without a Dog DNA test, we wouldn’t have known the below dog was a Neapolitan Mastiff cross Cane Corso x Alapaha Bleu Bulldog.
This article will discuss how to select the right dog DNA test kit for you.
How do you choose the best dog DNA test?
All dog DNA test kits may not be the same quality, as is true with most products. There are many companies that offer dog DNA testing. The best dog DNA test kit is one that offers reasonable value for money, fits within your budget, and has pros that outweigh cons.
You will also find two types of DNA tests. There are two types of DNA tests: one is the starter and one is the advanced. This will be discussed in more detail later. There are no guarantees that the results will be accurate so it is important to choose the right dog DNA test.
What is the importance of choosing the best dog DNA test kit?
Let’s talk in detail about DNA testing for dogs!
All dog DNA tests offer value for money, which means you get what your pay for. This brings us to the two options that most dog DNA testing companies offer.
The starter and advanced options for dog DNA testing will give you information about your dog’s parents and ancestors as well as any potential medical conditions that your dog may be susceptible to. Premium options include additional health tests that will provide you with information about your dog’s genetic disposition towards certain diseases.
The price difference between both options can be anywhere from $20 to $80. A single DNA test kit can be used on one dog. You will need to purchase one DNA test kit per dog if you have multiple dogs. In this case, the price is even more important.
Are Advanced Dog DNA Test Kits Worth It?
Before you decide whether to spend more money on DNA testing kits for dogs, it is important that you understand the science behind them and how reliable they are.
Tiffany Morefield, DVM Author & Veterinary Advisor at DogNeedsBest says that it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of tests. To protect their methods, test kit companies keep the testing process secret.
They are ethically correct. It is up to you to decide whether to purchase the basic or advanced version.
These tests can be very distressing and worrying. You don’t want to find out that your dog may die from cancer. Although the results of these tests are not always reliable, they can still be questioned.
However, these tests can provide false security about the medical conditions that your dog may develop over its lifetime.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a serious medical condition. Research has shown that this genetic mutation is responsible for the development of the disease. A DNA test for advanced dogs can determine if your dog is susceptible to this mutation or is already at risk.
A (DM) mutation can be a difficult to trust. Your dog might not develop this condition even though they are carriers.
Why?
A mutation in a gene doesn’t guarantee that a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy. It is true that certain breeds are more prone to certain diseases. However, it’s not always true that all medical conditions will be present in a dog.
It is best to be skeptical about the results of DNA testing for health checks. Canine owners believe in preventive measures, and that your dog should be checked for mental or medical conditions regularly.
Best Dog DNA Test Kits | Our Top Picks
Do you have any other considerations when choosing a DNA kit for your dog?
It depends on the brand you choose. Some brands offer more genetic information about different breeds while others have more checks regarding medical conditions.
You can choose the right one for you if you take into account the cost of a DNA test for dogs and the options available.
Our research has revealed that these are the top dog DNA testing products on the market.
Embark Breed & Health Dog DNA Testing Kit (Premium).
These are our top reasons to love the Embark premium DNA test kit for dogs. The premium kit also includes the health screening component, which checks for more than 200+ genetic diseases.
Embark | Dog DNA Test | Breed & Health Kit | Breed Identification & Canine Genetic Health ScreeningPrice:$149.00You Save:$50.00 (25%)
Dog DNA Breed Identification Kit (Basic).
These are our top reasons to love the Embark breed ID dog DNA test kit. The health screening component is not included in the basic package of Embark.
Dog DNA Test
There are many other great options for dog DNA testing kits available from Embark’s competitor Wisdom Panel.
Wisdom Panel Premium Dog DNA Testing Kit (Premium).
The Widsom Panel premium DNA test kit for dogs is shown below. It is less expensive than Embark’s premium package. It does not include features like a relative finder.
Wisdom Panel Premium, New and Improved Dog DNA Test for Comprehensive Health, Traits and AncestryPrice:$124.99 ($124.99 / Count)You Save:$35.00 (22%)
Panel Essential Dog DNA Testing Kit (Basic).
Wisdom Panel’s Essential dog DNA testing Kit includes medical complications, which is a big difference from Embark’s package for breed identification.
Wisdom Panel Essential, New and Improved Dog DNA Test for Ancestry, Traits and Medical ComplicationsPrice:$74.99 ($74.99 / Count)You Save:$25.00 (25%)
Is it worth buying a DNA test for dogs?
This question is dependent on many factors. Multi-dog households can make dog DNA testing expensive. You need to be clear about your priorities. I recommend that you invest your money in regular vet visits if you are concerned about their potential medical issues.
As we’ve discussed, DNA tests are not 100% accurate. You can’t rely on them for your dog’s health.
If you look at it the other way, I enjoy thinking about my dog’s ancestors. You can find out a lot more about the parents and grandparents of your mixed-breed dog by using DNA tests. Your dog could be part wolfdog, or have a “super-mutt” parent.
The term “Supermutt parent” is used to describe a parent dog that is a mix of many breeds and cannot be identified as a primary or secondary breed.
My dog is 71% Basenji and 21% Chihuahua. He also has super mutt grandparents. When someone asks what breed my dog is, I love to talk about it. This allows me to communicate my feelings about my dog and helps me connect with him.
I am proud to say that I love my dog regardless of breed. However, a DNA test can help you to understand and love your dog better. Don’t worry if DNA tests are not your top priority right now.
This information may be useful to others if you find it helpful. Mixed & Purebred Dogs. You can also follow our Twitter and Pinterest.
