Glossary

Dog DNA test

A cheek-swab or blood test that analyses a dog's genes to estimate its breed mix, check for inherited disease variants or identify certain traits.

Also called: dog DNA test, canine DNA test, breed ID test, breed identification test, Embark, Wisdom Panel, genetic health test, ancestry test

A dog DNA test analyses a sample, usually a cheek swab taken at home, and compares the dog's genes with a reference database. Most tests report an estimate of breed ancestry. Many also report genetic variants linked to inherited diseases, traits such as coat colour and a merle or hidden coat gene, and some report a genetic estimate of the inbreeding coefficient.

Breed results are an estimate. Accuracy depends on the company's database and the dog's ancestry, and different companies can give different answers for the same mixed breed dog. Health results show that a dog carries a specific variant. Carrying one does not mean the dog is sick or will become sick, and a clear result does not rule out disease.

Do not change a dog's care based on a result alone, and take health findings to your veterinarian. Check the company's privacy policy for data use.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Mixed breed A dog whose parents are of different breeds or whose ancestry is unknown, often called a mutt. Health testing The screening of breeding dogs for inherited conditions, such as hip, elbow, heart, eye and DNA tests, whose results are shared with buyers. Inbreeding coefficient A percentage showing how likely a dog is to carry two identical copies of a gene from a shared ancestor, a measure of how closely related its parents were. Merle A coat pattern with patches of diluted colour on a darker background, seen in breeds such as the Australian Shepherd, Collie and Great Dane.