Isn’t science amazing? We live in an incredible time where we can spit in a tube, mail it somewhere, and find out practically everything about our ancestors. Now your dog can too! Learning about your dog’s DNA with the Embark dog DNA test can give you new insights about them. This is especially insightful for mutt owners who, like myself, are a little unsure of how to answer the question “what kind of dog is that?” My pup, Logan, is mostly Blue Heeler with some other breeds in him (we have no idea which ones) and came from a shelter in Brownsville, TX. I am dying to take a peek at his DNA for the following reasons:
1. Get a Breakdown of Your Dog’s Breed
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked about Logan’s breed, I wouldn’t need a day job. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but still I’d say we get asked every other walk. And the answer usually goes something like this “Uhm…mostly Blue Heeler and a bunch o’ other stuff??” I wish I knew more about his breed, not just to be more confident in my answer to strangers, but also to learn more about his behavior and instincts. Like, why does he scratch the rug incessantly before laying down? Could he be part Dingo? Or perhaps he’s got some hound dog in him? The Embark Dog DNA Test, provides a full breakdown that can show you breeds that make up as little as 5% of your dog’s overall DNA breed mix.
2. Find Your Dog’s Relatives
Being a shelter dog from Brownsville, it’s hard to pinpoint where Logan was during his puppy years. We actually didn’t name him Logan, that’s just who he was when we met. Though I can’t help but wonder if his siblings have human-ish names too. And what about his parents? Were they mixed breeds as well? According to Embark, “Through DNA we have uncovered how dogs are related all the way back to wolves.” Embark will tell you how much DNA your dog shares with other Embark dogs in their database and offer you the ability to connect directly with them. Talk about the cutest family reunion ever!
3. Discover Your Dog’s Potential Health Risks
Logan turned 10 this year and we’ve been getting more vigilant when it comes to his health. The health reports from Embark can help dog parents get ahead of canine diseases that occur later in life including glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy, three of the most common adult-onset diseases in dogs. This is an extremely appealing feature for us considering Logan is an older dog. If we can discover any potential health risks, it gives us a chance to prevent or treat it (whatever it is) early.
Embark offers two products; their Breed ID Kit or Breed + Health Kit. There’s about a $70 difference between the two, but both have five-star reviews. Have you tried Embark Dog DNA Tests? Let us know what you think and your favorite part of the report!
Read more about your dog’s health below:
You Take Your Dog Where? Chiropractic Care for Dogs
