Embark Breed & Health Kit - Dog DNA Test - Discover Breed, Ancestry, Relative Finder, Genetic Health, Traits, Allergy Risk Scores

I think it is worth it. Everyone has their own budgets so I dont factor in price in my rating. I was able to get this when on mega sale for $139.00 for the DNA & Health option. Fun process, loaded with info. Worth it.We recently adopted what I was expecting to be a Lab & Mountain Curr mix. Her photos appeared that way, and she looked to be a bigger puppy with expected adult weight of 60 lbs. I am used to big dogs(80-110lbs), so when my soul mate beloved girl English lab passed away recently at just 7 years old, I set out to look to adopt a dog for her surviving brother (another English lab). Saw a listing for an 11 weeks old "Lab Mountain Curr mix", her expression and details caught my interest and so I started the adoption process. She was in the south (rescue grabbed her from a kill shelter), I am in the north, they provide transport. Took a chance on sight unseen.5 weeks later, she arrived. Basically we were catfished. She is actually 9-10 months old, and her pics were recent. So what I thought was a 30 lb 11 week old was actually a 28 lb 9 month old. That makes her a small/ish dog, and that makes her nearly full grown! SO, my 110 lb dog has a new 30 lb small dog. Our life and yard is set up for big dogs, not small. Ah well. We are adjusting. My boy is thrilled to have a friend.Which brings us to, well what is she then? Labs tend to be larger to BIG, and Currs are medium to large with similar large weight ranges. What is this weird little dog?I sniffed around various DNA test brands. I ultimately went with Embark (love the name) because of the tie to Cornell University (in my neck of the woods). My vet scoffs at these tests, but for me I figure it is simply information. I learn something or I dont.I was basically curious, and I also wanted an idea what to look for in terms of play style, training, motivation, etc. I KNOW labs (and to lesser but sizable degree, Currs-- hence the perfect match up for me), but I dont know other breeds. I am not set up to have a dog that needs to herd sheep, nor do I have an agility course. I want to know what the propensity is for the breeds she may be, so I can tailor my style to what she may need. I want her to blossom. Her personality description seemed like a good fit, but since we were basically catfished on some info, who knows what else was left to discover? Hence, DNA test.Process was simple. Kit arrived very quickly. Just swab mouth with included tools, stick in tube, put in mailer (postage included), and mail it. They will contact you when kit has been picked up in mail, will contact when arrived. Will likely keep you informed of where they are at in the process and how long it will take. It feels more personal and professional. I got an early email saying they found a health red flag (potential back/neck disc issue). Then shortly after I got the full DNA & health results.There is a TON of information, down to nitty gritty details for the science nerds. Also super easy graphics for those less inclined for data. This info can also be shared easily, including info can be sent to your vet if you want.Nothing labrador related came up in results. She is basically a Super Mutt, not surprising. I was hoping for a little more standout on one breed, but the breeds that were sussed out are still small fractions. So 51% mega mutt (at least Mountain Curr is part of that), but for the 49%, that broke down into Beagle (12%), Great Pyrenese (10%---hilarious at her small size, but remember genotype differs from phenotype, AND her expect 40 lb weight means that she has big dog lineage). Then smaller % of boxer, golden retriever, german shepard, eskimo & collie. Oddly, I can kind of see it. Disappointed not to have lab in her. I know rescues always put "lab mix", but I really did expect it given her "angle wing" at her "shoulders".There are link to each breed so you can quicky and easily learn about each listed as part of genetic profile.Her expected adult weight is 40 lbs, which I concur with. I hope she gets bigger anyway.Main thing is that she is sweet. Doesn't have that deep intelligence that my English Labs have nor the deep soulful eyes, but I knew I was getting a mixed bag. It is an adjustment. Still learning about her, but now I have a little more framework to operate within.What I like is that this Embark info doesnt stop here. They have a robust website loaded with info, and you can share pics and videos, take quizzes, dive into resources specific to your doggo and dogs in general. If there are any dogs that are close in relationship to yours then you can make contact as they are likely related. Neat stuff. I hope to find some relatives.So please be sure to fill out as much info as you can, add some pics, and maybe you too will be able to connect with family members. Even if later down the line someone decided to do DNA kit with their dog, it they are a genetic match you will be able to find out.If you are skeptical and have the extra money, you could wait to shop a sale to get another one, or from another brand to compare. Though if I did that, Id probably get this brand again for true fidelity of results.

The media could not be loaded. I got this as a gift for my fiancé, we’ve always been curious about the breed mix of our two rescue dogs, and the Embark kit finally gave us the answers we were looking for. The process of collecting the DNA was surprisingly easy—just a quick swab inside their mouth—and the kit included everything we needed, even a pre-addressed package that made mailing it back hassle-free.When the results came in, we were shocked (and a little amused) at how mixed their breeds actually are! For years, we thought one of our dogs was part German Shepherd, but it turns out he’s actually a White Shepherd & Rottweiler. It was such a fun moment to finally know their true lineage.The reports were super detailed, giving us not just breed info but also insights into their health markers and even connections to potential relatives. The only thing I’d say is the wait felt a bit long—so be prepared for a couple of weeks of anticipation.This kit is perfect for pet parents who want to understand their dog’s background or just love learning more about their furry family members.Highly recommend for anyone with rescues or mystery mutts!

Recommended by my veterinarian because I have a Texas Heeler which is half Australian Shepherd and half Blue Heeler and the concern is for MDR gene that makes them more sensitive to anesthesia and other medications. It took my Heeler days to recover from being spayed and it shouldn’t have. It’ll be noted in her file as having the gene and therefore going forward any other procedures or treatments it will be adjusted to prevent things like that from happening again. It also helps to see any future issues that could arise within their breed and also verify their breed. Among other things. While I just got it and haven’t sent it off yet, I’m doing it today and looking forward to seeing the results. Also it’s super easy to use, even for a skittish pet.

So easy to use! We wanted to know what type of breed our new rescue dog was, as he looked like a pom-mix. Turns out, he was a pom, pekingnese, and super mutt! I love how it breaks down everything from the percentages to the types of breeds the supermarket is comprised of. It even tells you the break down of the parents! Super cool and a great value.

I was really impressed with this kit! The instructions were clear and it was easy to use. My dog did not mind the swab at all. I purchased on May 10 and I got the results on Jun 2. Once you send in the sample you will get an email notification at each step in the process. Impressed with the detail and accuracy. We could tell our dog was a coon hound mix but were really suprised to see the other breeds and percentages. Highly recommend!