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Even if you picked up your puppy from the pound with no information — and you've been guessing or making up breeds to satisfy strangers' curiosity ever since — there is a way to actually know the precise origins of your furry best friend.
An up-and-coming startup Embark makes the world's most accurate dog DNA test. The test uses 200,000 genetic markers and 100 times more genetic information than its competitors. It checks for over 250 different breed types and 175-plus genetic health conditions — and it has partnered with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (the leading veterinary school in the country) and a pioneer in consumer genetics — Spencer Wells — to combine cutting-edge science and pet care. They're the people who are ecstatic to tell you they recently discovered why some dogs have blue eyes.
Knowing your dog's genetic history is great for the shallow interest of curiosity and dog park small talk, but it can also help you navigate potential health risks, avoid medications they could be sensitive too, and even help you decide how big of a home you're going to need in the future.
Here's how the dog DNA test worksOrder the test online, activate it, swab the cheek of your dog, and mail the sample back to the Embark lab in a pre-paid return envelope. In two to four weeks, you'll receive the results. If you're unsure how to swab your dog's cheek correctly, there are video tutorials on the site.
I tried the Embark dog DNA test on our rescue dog, Nellie, to see how it worked in real life. If you keep scrolling down to the bottom of this article, you can see the exact steps we went through in greater detail. But what I liked best was how digestible the information was for non-scientists, and how many resources were provided if you'd like to do further research. I also loved how obviously passionate about dogs the Embark team seemed to be.
On the site, you can engage as little or as much as you want. It was as succinct as "she's mostly a German Shepherd" and "she's clear of all the health risks we check for" and as granular as links to learn how the process is done and breakdowns of what each genetic condition is as well as which breeds it's commonly found in. There are even linked citations in some sections where research was referred to.
The Embark dog DNA test is not cheap at $199, but it's information that could improve or extend the life of your dog — and for most owners, that's not a bad price to pay.
All in all, it's a great tool — and something most dog owners will probably be excited to learn about. Pets are the slobbery, warm-bodied, loving beings that occasionally care more for you than they do for themselves. Figuring out a bit more about how to responsibly return that love and care is an exciting new opportunity.
If you have multiple dogs and get tests for them, you can "add a dog" to your "my dogs" section in your account to keep your family all in one place.
Keep reading to see our experience and our dog's results below. Read the original article on Business Insider