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Head-to-head · Best Dog Dna Tests

Basepaws Dog DNA Test vs Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test

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

Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 3.0). Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test is best for: Owners of mixed-breed dogs with patient pets who want a breed breakdown to 1% and basic genetic 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 →
Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Dog Dna Tests
Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test
2 sourcesall derived$119.99as of Oct 10

Wisdom Panel Essential identifies over 350 breeds with one percent precision and screens for more than 25 genetic health conditions, providing detailed ancestry reports. The kit includes pre-paid return shipping but requires collecting two separate cheek swab samples per dog rather than just one. This product fits owners of mixed-breed dogs seeking comprehensive genetic insights and health warnings who have patient animals; those with anxious or resistant pets should look elsewhere due to the challenging dual-swab process.

Strengths
  • — Identifies breed composition across more than 350 breeds, providing results down to a 1% contribution level.
  • — Includes health screening for genetic mutations and predispositions that could impact the dog's well-being.
  • — Kit includes pre-paid return shipping packaging so there are no unexpected fees to send samples back.
Watch-outs
  • — Requires collecting two separate cheek swab samples per dog rather than just one.
$119.99 · Buy at wisdompanel.comFull 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.

Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test

The Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test screens for more than 25 genetic health conditions, against 265+ on the Wisdom Panel Premium DNA Kit and 250+ on the Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test, and it costs less than the Premium kit. Its listed turnaround of 2-3 weeks is shorter than the 4-6 weeks of the Basepaws Dog DNA Test. Like the Premium kit, it needs two cheek swabs.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBasepaws Dog DNA TestWisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test
Breeds Identified300+ breeds analyzed350+ breeds
Genetic MarkersOver 280 genetic markers—
Turnaround Time4-6 weeks2-3 weeks
Sample Collectionat-home cheek swabCheek swab (2 required)
ShippingU.S. Shipping is FREE both waysPre-paid return packaging
Health Conditions—Genetic mutations & predispositions
← See the full ranking of best dog dna tests