Madison Yauger is a PEOPLE shopping editor and dog mom to a golden retriever. After rescuing Stevie as a puppy, Yauger relied on a dog DNA test to determine her exact breed (field golden) and gain important health insights. She’s extensively covered pet products with firsthand testing, compliments of a particularly judgmental dog.
Whether you’re adopting a dog with an unknown history or you want to learn about possible health concerns for your pup before they grow up, a dog DNA test can provide answers to questions you may not have even thought of.
We compared 12 top-rated dog DNA tests from seven leading brands to determine which kits offered the most seamless collection process, as well as the most accurate and comprehensive results (using each dog’s owner as a guide to how well the information matched their knowledge of their pets). After testing, four dog DNA tests from Wisdom Panel and Embark earned our PEOPLE Tested stamp of approval, though we tried tests from a few other brands, too. Whether you’re looking for breed, age, health, or ancestry information about your dog, these tests are your best bet.
And who knows, maybe your dog has a celebrity cousin — like Demi Moore’s Pilaf or Jennifer Aniston’s Lord Chesterfield — just waiting to be discovered.
Our Stars
The Importance of Dog DNA Tests, According to a Rescue
Mallory Kerley is the marketing director at Muddy Paws Rescue, a 501c3 nonprofit rescue organization based in New York City that has saved 8,000 animals since 2016. Actress Kristin Davis is among the many pet parents who have adopted from this rescue. Other dogs in the foster-based program have gone on “dream dates” with celebrities like Amanda Seyfried and Scarlett Johansson.
Breed Identification: Kerley tells PEOPLE, “We’re constantly being asked ‘What breed are they?’ when it comes to our adoptable pups!” Though she cautions that these tests should be “taken with a small grain of salt”, they can still be a great resource: “Having additional knowledge on a rescue dog with no known history can be helpful to prepare for future size predictions, possible medical predispositions, age estimates, and even finding long-lost siblings.”
Medical Predispositions: As a pet owner, it can be scary when your dog shows any symptoms of discomfort, so having medical knowledge of any known allergens, genetic disorders, or other health conditions can help you prepare ahead of time to treat these issues and put your mind at ease.
Reviews
Though most dog DNA tests make similar promises, this kit came out ahead — not only in tester ratings, but as an editor favorite, too (I used it for my own dog and was pleased with the process). The registration and setup are both straightforward, though the collection tools are bristle spoolies rather than the more traditional cotton swab, which were a bit rougher in our tester’s dog’s mouth.
Results came back within two weeks and showed 10 different breeds in our tester’s dog (and confirmed my dog’s breed) with a percentage for each. It included helpful insights about possible personality and genetic traits, as well as health concerns. There’s also an ancestry tab to see any extended relatives — our tester’s dog even had some “kin” in the area, and so did mine! Overall, our tester thought, “This test would be great for someone who has absolutely no background on their dog.”
Furry Fun Facts
Wisdom Panel, which is behind a number of our top picks, just hit the milestone of testing 5 million pets over the last 20 years. To celebrate, they surveyed 10,000 pet parents and found that over 80 percent of them “consider their pet their child,” according to the brand, and more than 85 percent responded that they’ve “canceled plans to stay home with their pet” (who among us hasn’t?). All to say, we want the best for our pets, and that starts with learning about their background to set them up for success.
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For a comprehensive analysis of your dog’s DNA, consider this combination kit that looks at your dog’s breed and health data — testing for over 350 breeds and 270 possible genetic conditions (as well as allergy risks!). Our tester appreciated the clear directions — “It was very easy to swab my dog’s cheeks” — as well as the simple online account setup.
The results arrived within the expected timeframe of two to four weeks, and included a list of breeds that made up our tester’s dog’s ancestry, as well as health markers to be aware of, physical traits to consider, and some long-lost relatives to boot. Though the test is pricey, our tester felt it helped them better understand their dog.
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Dog DNA tests can run upwards of $200, so this $99 test is a solid value when looking for information about your dog’s breed background. Our tester appreciated its straightforward setup, easy collection method, and clear labeling. She received a comprehensive analysis of her dog Toast’s ancestry — it showed at least 15 different breeds (and the percentage of each). There were also insights regarding physical traits, expectations for training, temperament, and more.
Comparatively, she had done a previous blood test for her dog that was more expensive and only showed the top five breeds identified (plus, the results took over a month to return compared to Wisdom Panel, which was an 11-day process). In terms of health insights, the test shared that Toast is negative for medication sensitivities, but the remaining health data was locked behind a paywall online. The test also includes a family tree element that our tester opted out of.
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Maybe you got a purebred puppy but still have some questions about your dog’s ancestry or other hereditary traits — our tester appreciated this test’s step-by-step instructions with color coordination for added clarity. The results took a little over four weeks to return, but our tester received email notifications for each step and a text when the results were in. The information proved quite detailed, with a certificate to boot, though the family tree aspect was limited.
Dog DNA Tests That Were All Bark and No Bite
While the above dog DNA tests impressed us the most with their detailed insights and seamless collection process, there were a few others we tried, too, that ultimately didn’t make our list.
The Embark Dog Age Test wasn’t as comprehensive as other tests but it did provide one tester helpful insights on their rescue dog’s age. The Embark Breed Identification Kit yielded solid results, but wasn’t as comprehensive as other breed-specific kits. The DNA My Dog Breed Identification Test Kit had some issues with the delivery and detail of the results. The Orivet Genopet Dog DNA Test took over a month to receive the results, which weren’t super easy to access. The Wisdom Panel Premium Dog DNA Test yielded no results or receipt of delivery. We tested a few other kits as well, but those are no longer available to purchase.
How We Tested
Each of our 13 testers tried one dog DNA test via their personal pets, following the provided manufacturer instructions. Some tests required users to register their pet online or download an accompanying app to gain further information. All tests required a swab of some sort to collect the DNA, so our testers were responsible for acquiring that from their pets (a special thanks to our dogs for being patient with us!).
Depending on the specific test, our team waited the designated amount of time — generally two to four weeks — to receive the test results. For any testers who had done a previous dog DNA test, we asked them how the new results compared to their original test, and, for first-time testers, we inquired if the results matched their expectations or provided any surprising insights.
Our team evaluated factors like ease of use, comprehensiveness, result time, and value for each test before assigning our winners.
Plays Well With
While you’re considering how to best set your dog up for success, let us share a few more of our favorite dog supplies we’ve personally tested. Whether you’re grabbing the basics like dog leashes, durable collars, top-rated dog bowls, and plush beds or looking for grooming essentials like dog shampoo or paw cleaners, we’ve got you covered.
