5 Best Dog DNA Test Kits in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Finding out your dog’s breed isn’t just a fun activity for curious pet parents. There are many benefits of DNA testing for dogs, ranging from identifying genetic health risks to discovering physical traits that may affect how your four-legged friend looks.

With the help of our expert veterinarians, we’ve identified the best dog DNA test kit for pet parents with different budgets, purebred dog parents, and more.

If you’ve ever wondered what breed your mixed breed truly is or why your dog has such pointy ears, these dog DNA tests may help answer those questions.

What To Look for When Buying a Dog DNA Test Kit

There are a number of factors to consider when purchasing a dog DNA test. The best dog DNA tests can accurately identify hundreds of dog breeds, provide results quickly, and are easy to use.

Some dog DNA tests will also screen for health issues and connect you with pet parents of dogs related to your dog. Here’s what to look for in a quality dog breed DNA test.

Number of Detectable Dog Breeds

Look for a company that has research, data, and a large reference database of dog breeds. These databases are used to connect your own pup’s genetic information to existing breeds.

 A larger, more diverse database means the company has more genetic markers for more breeds, including mixed and rare breeds.

For example, Embark has a database of more than 350 dog breeds, Wisdom Panel has a database of more than 365 dog breeds, and Ancestry has the most extensive database of over 400 dog breeds.

Accuracy

The number of pet parents who have used a company can affect testing accuracy, because the more people who use a particular dog DNA test, the larger the company’s reference database becomes.

For example, Wisdom Panel has a community of over 5 million dogs and cats, whereas around 2 million pups have been “embarked” with Embark. Wisdom Panel claims to be over 98% accurate, while Embark is slightly higher at 99%.

Some companies also partner with universities and/or geneticists to provide research-backed results.

Health Screening Abilities

Many dog DNA test kits these days do more than just identify your dog’s breed makeup. They also provide insights into their genetic health risks.

Though dog DNA tests are not a substitution for regular veterinary care, they can help your veterinary team understand and identify potential risk factors and determine appropriate preventive measures.

For example, Embark can identify more than 270 genetic health risks by scouring a database of more than 230,000 genetic markers across 350+ dog breeds. Wisdom Panel can check for more than 265 genetic health conditions.

Access to Canine Community

Understanding your dog’s genetic makeup is just the beginning. These tests can also help to trace your dog’s lineage back several generations, connect with relatives of your dogs, or even dogs of similar breed mixes in your area.

This all allows you to chat with people who may have shared experiences with dogs from the same genetic line.

Ease of Use

Commercially available dog DNA tests typically come with a swab or brush to collect a sample of cells from inside the dog’s mouth. The best dog DNA tests should have clear instructions, offer pre-paid packaging to send samples back for testing, and provide results that are clear and easy to review.

(NOTE: Some tests require a blood sample for a larger sample of DNA; while these tests can provide more information about certain genetic diseases, they are administered by a veterinarian.)

Turnaround Times

After mailing the sample, you can expect results from most at-home dog DNA tests within two to five weeks.

How We Selected the Best Dog DNA Test Kits

This list of the best dog DNA test kits was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians and vet techs who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best DNA test kits for dogs in their honest opinion, across multiple categories, based on the following:

• Number of detectable dog breeds
• Accuracy of genetic testing
• Health screening accuracy and depth
• Whether companies have partnered with veterinary experts and/or institutes
• Ease of use
• Speed in which results are delivered

Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content, or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.

Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.

Dog DNA Test Kit FAQs

How much is a dog DNA test?

Dog DNA test costs vary depending on the amount of information the test offers. You can generally expect to pay between $80–$200 for at-home dog breed test kits. Veterinarian-administered blood tests may cost more.

How accurate are dog DNA tests?

Dog DNA test results are becoming more accurate every day as an increasing number of pet parents sign up for services and increase the size of databases.

Wisdom Panel and Embark are currently the most accurate, claiming to be more than 98% and 99% accurate, respectively.

Can you DNA test a dog to see what breed they are?

Yes, the purpose of a dog DNA test is to identify what breed(s) your dog is. If you’ve ever wondered what breed your mixed breed truly is or why your dog has such pointy ears, these DNA tests should give you the answers.

Do dog DNA tests tell age?

Some dog DNA tests do estimate your dog’s age. Embark, for example, offers a separate Dog Age Test for that.