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Head-to-head · Best Dog Dna Tests

Basepaws Dog DNA Test vs Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 3.0). Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit is best for: owners of mixed-breed dogs who want a breed breakdown and relative matching without health screening. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Basepaws Dog DNA Test
Ranked #5 in Best Dog Dna Tests
Basepaws Dog DNA Test
1 sourceall derived$74.99as of Oct 11

The Basepaws Dog DNA Test combines a breed breakdown and a genetic health screen from a single cheek swab. CNET's reviewer ran it side by side with Wisdom Panel Premium on her rescue dog: the swab was easier on the dog, but the first sample had to be redone, results took four to six weeks, and the breed breakdown was broader, lumping the smallest share into "scent hound lineage". CNET concluded Wisdom Panel was the more thorough test.

Strengths
  • — Single sponge-style swab that CNET's dog tolerated better than Wisdom Panel's swabs
  • — Breed percentages and a genetic health screen in one kit; CNET's report covered 211 health markers
  • — Basepaws sent a free replacement kit right away when CNET's first sample failed
Watch-outs
  • — Results take four to six weeks, against about two weeks for Wisdom Panel in CNET's test
  • — CNET's first sample had to be redone, which it learned nearly a month after mailing it
  • — Broader breed calls than Wisdom Panel, such as "scent hound lineage", and no behavioral traits, per CNET
$74.99 · Buy at basepaws.comFull review →
Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Dog Dna Tests
Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit
2 sourcesall derived$109as of Oct 17

The Embark Breed ID kit is a cheek-swab dog DNA test that screens for more than 400 breeds and matches dogs with relatives in Embark's database, without the health screening of Embark's pricier kits. The Spruce Pets named it its pick for mixed breeds, finding it easy to use and reporting that results arrived a couple of weeks earlier than promised. Chris and Whitney in the Windy City ran it alongside a Wisdom Panel test on the same dog and found the top breeds and percentages closely matched, with Embark's relative matching turning up the dog's mother. It suits owners of mixed-breed dogs who mainly want ancestry and relatives; owners of very small dogs, or anyone wanting genetic health results, should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Results came back a couple of weeks sooner than Embark promised in The Spruce Pets' test
  • — Screens for over 400 breeds with a detailed percentage breakdown of a mixed dog
  • — Easy to swab, post back and read, according to The Spruce Pets
Watch-outs
  • — Large swab head may be awkward to use on small dogs
  • — Minor breeds are lumped into a 'Supermutt' share without individual percentages
  • — Lacks the trait and adult-weight section that Wisdom Panel's report includes
$109 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Basepaws Dog DNA Test

Basepaws screens for over 280 genetic health markers, which is more than any other pet DNA test according to the manufacturer, whereas Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test analyzes over 200,000 genetic markers. The Wisdom Panel Premium DNA Kit lists a turnaround of about 3 weeks, while Basepaws takes 4 to 6 weeks to process.

Embark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit

The Embark Breed ID kit is the breed-only version of the Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test; The Spruce Pets listed it at $109 against $139 for the Breed & Health kit, which adds screening for more than 230 health conditions. The Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test, listed by The Spruce Pets at $105, includes basic genetic health screening that this kit does not, while Embark's breed database covers 400+ breeds against Wisdom Panel's 350+.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBasepaws Dog DNA TestEmbark Breed ID Dog DNA Test Kit
Breeds Identified300+ breeds analyzed—
Genetic MarkersOver 280 genetic markers—
Turnaround Time4-6 weeks—
Sample Collectionat-home cheek swab—
ShippingU.S. Shipping is FREE both ways—
Breeds Screened—400+
Sample Type—Cheek swab
Health Screening—Not included
Relative Matching—Yes
Model Number—DNB301
Package Dimensions—9.29 x 5.67 x 1.46 inches
Package Weight—4.16 ounces
Manufacturer—Embark Veterinary
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