Embark Dog DNA Test Kit

When I adopted my two gals from an area rescue, I was told they were a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle – AKA Cock-a-Poo. It wasn’t until I took them to my vet for a once-over and discussion about their diet (and lack of bowel control) that I learned they were in fact, Schnoodles – Schnauzer and Poodle. He told me they’re renowned for dietary issues, put them on a low-fat diet and my messy mornings were no more.

Let’s face it, bringing a rescue into your family can be a crap shoot – in its most literal form. And because so many of us have now vowed to adopt-not-shop (which is a good thing), we tend to have to guesstimate what breeds contributed to that lovable little fur-ball sitting before us. Size, weight, hair coloring and texture… does he sound like a beagle but look like a spaniel? Who cares, right?

Well, you should care. Before you dismiss it as unimportant, this type of information can be critical to the long-term health of your dog. And it was with this in mind that the good folk at Embark teamed up with the research team at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to develop an ultra-easy, highly accurate DNA test kit that will accurately peg your pooch’s genetic ancestry and propensity for certain illnesses.

A simple swab of his inside cheek is all it takes to gain information on your pooch’s family tree going all the way back to his great grandparents. It tests for over 165 diseases – including the 3 more common aging maladies; glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy – so you can take the steps necessary to help prevent or delay the onset of these debilitating illnesses.

But it’s not just about learning more about potential future ailments. The Embark dog DNA test kit can accurately screen your pooch’s DNA against over 250 different dog breeds (including wolves and coyotes) to help isolate different traits and characteristics. Which means, you never have to wonder again why your little guy loves to dig in the garden, chase the cat, wander off at the dog park… or even bay at the moon!

And similar to those human DNA testing kits that allow you to explore your personal ancestry, the Embark dog DNA test kit identifies which breeds have a similar make-up to your pooch. So, you can check them out, explore what physical and personality traits they may share and learn a little more about your pup’s various quirks and triggers.

You can even help your pooch connect with mom, dad and long-lost sibling through Embark’s Doggy DNA Relative Finder (included) that flags shared DNA between your pooch and any others that may have been tested through Embark.

The Embark Dog DNA test kit is an easy process, results are fast (typically within 2 to 4 weeks) and because Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine has been involved in developing this DNA test kit, you know you can trust the information to be super accurate.