Are Dog DNA Tests Worth It? What We Learned About Dodo and Alice
We tested both dogs with Embark and Wisdom Panel. Here's what the results revealed about their breed mix, health risks, and whether the $160 price tag is justified.
I ordered my first dog DNA test out of pure curiosity. Alice was sold to us as a "Chow Shepherd mix" by the rescue, and while she certainly looks the part, I wanted to know what else might be in there. When Dodo came along as a Chowdoodle (Chow Chow x Miniature Poodle), I tested her too, partly to confirm what the breeder told us and partly because the health screening data felt worth having for a puppy I planned to own for the next fifteen years.
Both tests came back with information I genuinely didn't expect. Alice turned out to be roughly 60% German Shepherd, 30% Chow Chow, and the remaining 10% was a mix of Akita and Shiba Inu, which explained her stubbornness and her tendency to be aloof with strangers in a way that felt more spitz-like than shepherd-like. Dodo's results confirmed the Chow Chow and Miniature Poodle mix, but also flagged that she carries one copy of a gene associated with hip dysplasia risk, which changed how I approach her exercise routine as she grows.
What Dog DNA Tests Actually Tell You
There are two main categories of information you get from a dog DNA test: breed identification and health screening. The breed part is what most people buy the test for, but the health data is honestly more valuable from a practical standpoint.
Breed identification breaks down your dog's ancestry into percentages. For mixed breeds and rescues, this can explain behavioral quirks, size predictions for puppies, and coat type expectations. For dogs from breeders, it confirms what you were told and sometimes reveals surprises in the lineage.
Health screening tests for genetic markers associated with specific conditions. Depending on the test, this can include things like:
| Health Category | What It Screens For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Joint conditions | Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia risk | Adjusts exercise intensity and supplements |
| Heart conditions | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) markers | Early monitoring with your vet |
| Eye conditions | Progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts | Awareness for early intervention |
| Blood disorders | Von Willebrand disease, factor VII deficiency | Critical info before any surgery |
| Drug sensitivities | MDR1 gene mutation | Some common medications can be fatal |
| Coat and body | Furnishings, shedding likelihood, size genes | Mostly fun, occasionally useful |
The MDR1 gene result alone can be life-saving. Dogs with this mutation can have severe reactions to common medications like ivermectin (found in some heartworm preventatives) and certain anesthetics. Knowing this before your dog needs surgery or medication is the kind of information you can't put a price on.
Embark vs. Wisdom Panel: Which One to Get
These are the two dominant players, and I've used both. Here's the honest comparison based on my experience:
Embark Breed + Health Kit (~$159-199) is what I'd recommend for most people. It tests for 350+ breeds and screens for 250+ genetic health conditions. The breed results felt more granular and specific than Wisdom Panel's, and the health screening is more comprehensive. Embark also has a relative-finder feature that matches your dog with genetic relatives in their database, which is genuinely fun if you're curious about siblings or half-siblings from the same litter or parents.
Wisdom Panel Premium (~$159) tests for 350+ breeds and 200+ health conditions. It's a solid test and slightly cheaper during sales. The interface is clean and the results are easy to understand. Where it falls short compared to Embark is in the depth of health screening and the size of their reference database for breed identification.
| Feature | Embark Breed + Health | Wisdom Panel Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159-199 | $129-159 |
| Breeds tested | 350+ | 350+ |
| Health conditions | 250+ | 200+ |
| Relative finder | Yes | Yes |
| Vet report | Yes | Yes |
| Results time | 2-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
| Best for | Comprehensive health data | Budget-friendly option |
If you only care about breed identification and don't need the full health panel, both companies offer cheaper breed-only kits in the $80-100 range. But honestly, the health screening is the most valuable part of the test, and the price difference between breed-only and breed+health is worth it for the peace of mind.
How Accurate Are They Really?
I'll be straightforward here: dog DNA tests are not perfect. The accuracy depends heavily on how well-represented your dog's breeds are in the company's reference database. Common breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles are extremely well-represented and results tend to be very accurate. Rarer breeds or landrace dogs from other countries may show up as "Supermutt" or get misidentified.
For Alice, both Embark and Wisdom Panel agreed on the German Shepherd and Chow Chow components. They disagreed slightly on the smaller percentages (Embark said Akita/Shiba, Wisdom Panel said "Asian Spitz type"). For Dodo, both correctly identified Chow Chow and Miniature Poodle as the primary breeds.
The health screening accuracy is generally higher than breed identification because genetic markers for specific conditions are well-studied and binary — your dog either carries the variant or doesn't. This is where the real value lies.
When a DNA Test Changes How You Care for Your Dog
Dodo's hip dysplasia risk marker is a good example. Without the test, I might have let her do unlimited jumping and high-impact exercise as a puppy, which is exactly what you want to avoid with dogs predisposed to joint issues. Instead, we follow a more conservative exercise protocol during her growth phase: controlled leash walks, swimming, and limited jumping until her growth plates close around 12-14 months.
Alice's results showing Akita lineage explained her resource guarding tendencies, which we'd been managing without fully understanding the genetic component. Knowing the breed mix helped our trainer adjust the approach to something more appropriate for spitz-type dogs rather than the standard shepherd protocols.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get a Dog DNA Test
Worth it if:
- You have a mixed breed or rescue and want to understand their background
- You want health screening data to share with your vet
- Your dog has unexplained behavioral traits you want context for
- You're planning to breed and need genetic health clearances
- You have a puppy and want to predict adult size and coat type
Probably not worth it if:
- You have a purebred from a reputable breeder who already did health testing on the parents
- You're only curious about breed and don't care about health data (just enjoy the mystery)
- You're expecting the test to diagnose a current health problem (it screens for genetic risk, not active conditions)
The Bottom Line
For $160-200, you get breed identification that satisfies curiosity and health screening data that can genuinely influence how you care for your dog for the rest of their life. The Embark Breed + Health Kit is what I recommend because the health panel is more comprehensive and the relative-finder adds a fun social element. We've actually connected with two of Dodo's half-siblings through Embark, which has been great for comparing notes on training and health with other Chowdoodle owners.
If you're on the fence, wait for a sale. Both Embark and Wisdom Panel run significant discounts during holidays (Black Friday, Prime Day, etc.) that can bring the price down to $99-120 for the full health kit. At that price, it's a no-brainer for any dog owner who wants actionable health data alongside the fun breed breakdown.
Curious about Chowdoodles specifically? Read our complete breed guide or check out how to find a responsible breeder if you're considering adding one to your family. Follow Dodo and Alice's daily life on Instagram @thechowdodo.