If you’ve ever looked at your dog and thought, “What exactly are you?” you’re definitely not alone. Dog DNA tests have become incredibly popular over the last few years, especially among people with rescue dogs and mixed breeds.
Beyond satisfying curiosity, these tests can also provide valuable insights into your dog’s health, genetic traits, and even potential relatives.
Two of the biggest names in the space are Embark and Basepaws. While both offer breed identification and health testing, they take slightly different approaches. One focuses heavily on deep genetic analysis and research-backed health insights. The other emphasizes accessibility and user-friendly wellness reporting.
So which one is better? Let’s take a closer look.
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WINNER
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The Embark Breed + Health DNA Test does more than tell you your dog’s breed mix—it screens for 270+ genetic health conditions and offers detailed insights into traits, ancestry, and even potential relatives. Results are clear, thorough, and backed by veterinary research. If you want more than a fun guess at your dog’s background (and actually useful health info), this test is one of the most comprehensive options out there. LIMITED TIME OFFER GET $64 OFF BREED + HEALTH TEST |
Imagine unlocking the genetic secrets behind your furry friend's adorable quirks and traits. With Basepaws Dog DNA test, you don't have to wonder anymore – you can discover the fascinating world hidden within your pup's DNA. This innovative test goes beyond the surface, providing insights into your dog's breed composition and 380+ health markers. |
The Embark Breed + Health DNA Test does more than tell you your dog’s breed mix—it screens for 270+ genetic health conditions and offers detailed insights into traits, ancestry, and even potential relatives. Results are clear, thorough, and backed by veterinary research. If you want more than a fun guess at your dog’s background (and actually useful health info), this test is one of the most comprehensive options out there.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
GET $64 OFF BREED + HEALTH TEST
Imagine unlocking the genetic secrets behind your furry friend's adorable quirks and traits. With Basepaws Dog DNA test, you don't have to wonder anymore – you can discover the fascinating world hidden within your pup's DNA. This innovative test goes beyond the surface, providing insights into your dog's breed composition and 380+ health markers.
Embark vs. Basepaws at a Glance
| Feature | Embark Breed & Health | Basepaws Breed + Health |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Identification | Excellent | Very Good |
| Health Screening | Extensive | Moderate |
| Relative Finder | Yes | No |
| Trait Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Wolfiness Detection | Yes | No |
| Mixed Breed Accuracy | Excellent | Good |
| User-Friendly Reports | Very Good | Excellent |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Best For | Detailed genetic insights | Everyday pet owners |
What Is Embark?
Embark is widely considered one of the most comprehensive dog DNA tests available today. Developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, it combines breed identification, health screening, trait testing, and relative matching into a single test.
The company has built one of the largest canine genetic databases available, which allows it to identify breed ancestry with impressive detail. For many dog owners, especially those with mixed-breed rescues, that level of accuracy is one of the biggest selling points.
Embark’s Breed & Health kit goes beyond identifying what breeds make up your dog. It also screens for hundreds of genetic health conditions, evaluates physical traits, and can even connect you with genetic relatives that have also been tested through the platform.
Pros
- Highly detailed breed results
- Extensive health screening
- Relative Finder feature
- Large genetic database
- Trusted by many veterinarians
Cons
- More expensive than many competitors
- While the browser-based dashboard is great, it looks better on the app overall
Check out my full Embark Breed & Health DNA Test review for more details.
The Embark Breed + Health DNA Test does more than tell you your dog’s breed mix—it screens for 270+ genetic health conditions and offers detailed insights into traits, ancestry, and even potential relatives. Results are clear, thorough, and backed by veterinary research. If you want more than a fun guess at your dog’s background (and actually useful health info), this test is one of the most comprehensive options out there.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
GET $64 OFF BREED + HEALTH TEST
What Is Basepaws for Dogs?
Many pet owners first heard of Basepaws through its cat DNA testing products. In recent years, the company expanded into canine genetic testing, offering breed identification, health insights, and trait analysis for dogs.
Basepaws aims to make genetic information more approachable for everyday pet parents. Its reports are clean, visually appealing, and generally easier to understand at first glance.
While it doesn’t offer quite as much depth as Embark, Basepaws still provides useful information about your dog’s breed makeup, inherited traits, and potential health risks.
For owners who want a broad overview without diving deeply into genetics, that simplicity can actually be a benefit.
Pros
- Easy-to-understand reports
- Attractive presentation
- Health and wellness insights
- Generally more affordable
- Beginner-friendly experience
Cons
- Smaller genetic database
- Fewer advanced features
- No relative finder
Check out my Basepaws Dog DNA test review for more details.
Breed Identification: Which Is More Accurate?
For many people, breed identification is the primary reason for purchasing a DNA test. This is where Embark tends to pull ahead.
Because Embark has one of the largest canine DNA databases available, it often provides more detailed breed breakdowns, especially for dogs with complex mixed ancestry. It’s particularly strong at identifying smaller breed percentages that may not be obvious from appearance alone.
If you’ve ever adopted a rescue and received three completely different breed guesses from friends, family, and the shelter staff, Embark can often provide some surprisingly specific answers.
Basepaws performs well for common breeds and simpler mixes, but it may not provide the same level of granularity in highly mixed dogs. The results are still useful, but they sometimes feel a bit broader compared to Embark’s reports.
Winner: Embark
Freya is a pure-bred dog with a long lineage of AKC-registered ancestors, so both Embark and Basepaws were accurate for her. That said, for mixed-breed dogs, if breed accuracy is your top priority, Embark remains one of the strongest options currently available.
I also felt like Embark went the extra mile sharing details about her breed compared to Basepaws. Her report included a full page on the Pharaoh Hound.
That said, Embark’s detail about them starting more than 5,000 years ago and then later making their way to Malta is highly debatable among Pharaoh Hound owners. Basepaw’s details about Kelb tal-Fenek (the Maltese name for the breed) is closer to the current most widely accepted origin story. Honestly, though, this is a tiny detail and who knows, maybe Embark will find a way to finally prove once and for all which side is right? They certainly have a big enough DNA database to get closer to settling the debate.
Health Testing Comparison
Health screening is another major reason people invest in dog DNA testing.
It’s important to remember that genetic testing doesn’t diagnose disease. Instead, it identifies genetic variants associated with certain inherited conditions and can help owners have more informed conversations with their veterinarians.
Embark screens for a large number of inherited genetic conditions and provides detailed reports explaining what those results mean. The platform identifies whether a dog is at risk, a carrier, or unlikely to carry specific genetic markers.
For breeders and owners concerned about inherited diseases, this information can be extremely valuable.
Basepaws also offers health insights and genetic risk reporting. The information is useful and presented in an accessible format, but the overall health screening package isn’t quite as comprehensive as what Embark provides.
If health testing is one of your primary goals, the difference becomes more noticeable.
Winner: Embark
Embark offers more depth and detail when it comes to health-related genetic screening, not to mention the fact that it screens for more conditions. Plus, I really appreciate how they spell it out very clearly right upfront whether your dog is at risk. There’s just something more reassuring about seeing that “Good News!” right at the top of the health section.
I also found it easier to sort through their list. You can sort by highest priority, breed priority, or alphabetical/reverse alphabetical order. It’s more scan-the-list friendly too since all of the most important details are right there on one page. With Basepaws, you have to click the arrow to open each individual health issue.
Breed Discovery Experience
Accuracy matters, but so does the experience of exploring the results. Embark’s reports are packed with information. In addition to breed percentages, you’ll find trait analysis, health reports, ancestry information, and access to the Relative Finder feature.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys digging through data and learning everything possible about your dog, Embark is incredibly engaging.
Basepaws takes a slightly different approach. Its reports are streamlined and easy to navigate. The information feels approachable even if you’ve never looked at a DNA report before.
Neither approach is better. It really comes down to how much information you want.
Winner: It Depends
My personal pick for winner is Embark just because there’s so much to explore. That said, maybe you want something that just lays it out for you in simple report that you can easily scan. In that case, Basepaws wins.
Honestly, though, while I do like that the Basepaws report is easier for offline reading, I really love all of the extras that you get with Embark.
Unique Features
Every DNA testing company has a few features that help it stand out.
What Embark Does Better
- Relative Finder network
- Larger breed database
- Wolfiness score
- Genetic diversity score
- More detailed health screening
- Extensive research partnerships
The Relative Finder alone is surprisingly fun. Many users discover siblings, parents, or other close relatives of their dogs through the platform. For rescue owners, that can add an entirely new dimension to the testing experience.
If you want to see a super cute example of the Relative Finder in action, check out what happens when Emi’s dog Zola meets her sister. Trust me, you definitely want to give this one a watch. It’s SUPER adorable.
What Basepaws Does Better
- Cleaner report design
- Easier learning curve
- Simpler interpretation
- Often more budget-friendly
I am a “give me every last bit of information possible” type of person, but not everyone wants to spend hours exploring genetic reports. Basepaws recognizes that and keeps things straightforward.
Testing Process and Turnaround Time
Fortunately, both companies make testing fairly easy.
Each kit includes a cheek swab that collects a saliva sample from your dog. After mailing the sample back, you simply wait for processing and receive your results online.
Most dogs tolerate the swab process without much drama. (Though some dogs act as if you’ve personally betrayed them.)
Winner: Embark for turnaround times, tie for ease of use
As far as ease of use goes, it’s essentially a tie.
Turnaround times can vary depending on demand, but in my experience with both companies Embark’s results came back much faster. Like within 2 weeks compared to Basepaw’s 6 weeks. That said, I did test Basepaws back when they first launched their dog DNA test, so some of the timing may have had to do with that.
Price Comparison
Pricing changes frequently due to sales and promotions, so it’s always worth checking current prices before purchasing.
Generally speaking, Embark tends to cost more, particularly for its Breed & Health test.
Basepaws is often available at a lower price point, making it appealing for owners who want DNA insights without spending quite as much.
That said, value isn’t always about the lowest price.
If you’re primarily interested in breed identification and a simple overview, Basepaws may provide everything you need.
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive health screening and breed analysis available, Embark’s higher price can be easier to justify.
Winner: Basepaws for affordability, Embark for value
From a pure “how much does it cost” standpoint, Basepaws wins. However, from a “how much do I get for my money” standpoint, Embark pulls ahead.
Also, I feel like Embark offers more ongoing value. My Basepaws report hasn’t changed much since the day I got it several years ago. Meanwhile, Embark has added cool features under the Care tab with ideas for games to play with Freya, personality quizzes (under the My Dog tab), and more.
Who Should Choose Embark?
Embark is an excellent choice for:
- Mixed-breed dog owners
- Rescue dog adopters
- Owners interested in genetic health screening
- Breeders seeking detailed information
- Purebred dog owners who want to more details on health issues
- People who enjoy digging into data
- Anyone interested in finding canine relatives
Who Should Choose Basepaws?
Basepaws may be a better fit for:
- Budget-conscious pet owners
- First-time DNA test buyers
- People who prefer simple reports
- Owners mainly interested in breed identification
- Those looking for general wellness insights
Final Verdict
Both Embark and Basepaws offer valuable insights into your dog’s genetics, but they’re not quite aimed at the same audience.
Basepaws does a good job providing breed information and health insights in an easy-to-understand format. For many pet owners, that’s more than enough.
However, if you’re looking for the most comprehensive testing experience available, Embark remains the stronger overall choice. Its larger genetic database, extensive health screening, detailed breed analysis, and unique Relative Finder feature help justify the higher price.
For most dog owners, especially those with mixed-breed rescues, Embark is likely to provide the most complete picture of who their dog is and what makes them unique.
Bottom line: If you want the deepest insights possible, choose Embark. If you want a simpler and often more affordable introduction to dog DNA testing, Basepaws is a solid alternative.
The Embark Breed + Health DNA Test does more than tell you your dog’s breed mix—it screens for 270+ genetic health conditions and offers detailed insights into traits, ancestry, and even potential relatives. Results are clear, thorough, and backed by veterinary research. If you want more than a fun guess at your dog’s background (and actually useful health info), this test is one of the most comprehensive options out there.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
GET $64 OFF BREED + HEALTH TEST
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