Ever wonder about the genetic makeup and mysterious origins of your canine bestie? Does your pup’s personality leave you scratching your head, wondering, “Who are you really?” Well, the answers to all of your questions (and a bunch you didn’t even know you had) may be just a quick cheek swab away with Basepaws Dog DNA test.
Below, we’re diving nose-first into the world of Basepaws for dogs, unlocking the secrets hidden in those adorable, slobbery kisses. From the features, pros, cons and much more, we have much to discuss. So let’s get started!
Just a quick note before diving in- Basepaws sent me a complementary dog DNA kit to try out with Freya. We also included affiliate links in this post. If you buy anything through them, Technobark earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
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.
Curious about your feline friend’s genes? Check out our Basepaws Cat DNA Test Review over on our sister site, TechnoMeow!
Table of Contents
What is Basepaws for Dogs and how does it work?
In late 2023, Basepaws, the company known for offering up one of the most affordable yet in-depth cat DNA tests, moved into the doggy genetic testing space with their brand-new offering- the Basepaws Dog DNA test.
As with their feline testing kit, Basepaws for dogs does so much more than just unlock the secrets to your pup’s breed profile. It also gives you an incredibly in-depth look into Fido’s well-being by screening for more than 280 different health risks and genetic conditions.
Let’s very quickly go over some of the key features of the Basepaws Dog DNA Test. Then, we’ll dive into a closer look at Freya’s report so you can see what to expect if you decide to buy a kit for your pooch.
Key Features:
- Super easy to use.
- Comprehensive breed identification. Basepaws is the “the most scientifically advanced dog DNA test kit,” testing against over 300 distinct breeds.
- Screens for more than 280 health risks and 30+ traits.
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for more detailed and accurate analysis.
- User-friendly interface
- US-based laboratory
- Supported by veterinarians
Basepaws Dog DNA Test Review
Now that we have a good overview of what to expect when you buy a Basepaws Dog DNA test, let’s get a little more in-depth. Let me start by saying that I already know what kind of dog Freya is. She’s an AKC-registered Pharaoh Hound. In fact, part of the reason I wanted to do the Basepaws test on her specifically is because I know what she is. I figured that it would be a great way to determine the test’s accuracy, especially since Pharaoh Hounds aren’t exactly common dogs. The other part, of course, was that I wanted to learn more about her health markers.
What I Like:
- Very clear instructions: All Basepaws kits include super straightforward instructions for easy sample collection. There’s absolutely NO guesswork involved.
- Holistic approach: I love how Basepaws integrates both breed and health information for a more complete understanding of your dog.
- Interactive report: The Basepaws Dog DNA test report is completely different from the one they offer for cats. While there are some drawbacks to that (more on that in a moment), it’s really easy and fun to use.
- “Lessons” to help you understand the report: The “start screen” section of your dashboard has over a dozen tips and lessons to help you navigate the report.
Drawbacks & Things to Consider
- Turnaround time: It takes quite a while to get your results back. Freya’s results took about 7 weeks to come back, which was slightly longer than the cat DNA test for Leia that I sent in at the same time.
- Not as detailed as the cat DNA results: Leia’s report was 68 pages long and included information about how many of each gene was present.
- Can’t download the report: With the cat DNA test, you can easily download your report into a PDF version that you can share with your vet. However, I can’t find any way to download Freya’s report.
What Can You Learn About Your Dog from Basepaws?
From breed composition to detailed health markers, there’s a lot to uncover and unpack in your dog’s Basepaws DNA test results.
Ancestry and Breed composition
As I mentioned above, Freya is a Pharaoh Hound. I know this with 100% certainty because she is AKC-registered. She was a gift to us from my aunt’s neighbor, a reputable breeder, after we lost two of our senior dogs earlier that year.
Basepaws accurately identified her breed with a 9.9 similarity score. I’m not sure why it wasn’t a perfect 10, but I’m going to assume it has something to do with not wanting to say “We’re 100% sure your dog is XZY” for legal reasons.
If your dog isn’t a pure breed, though, you’ll see a breakdown of the different breeds ranked in order of his similarity score.
Health Markers
As with their cat DNA test, the Basepaws Dog DNA really shines with their health marker information. Freya was clear for every genetic health disposition. Again, I’m not super surprised by that. Pharaoh Hound breeders are extremely diligent, especially since most P. Hounds are show dogs. Still, it’s comforting to see a “0” under the At Risk section.
If you’re curious, here’s a bit of a breakdown of the types of conditions they screen for:
- 3 cardiac conditions (including Cardiomyopathy)
- 13 dermatologic/skin conditions
- 5 endocrine disorders
- 4 gastrological conditions
- 18 hematological (blood) disorders
- 8 immune diseases
- 30 metabolic conditions
- 29 muscle & joint problems
- 41 neurological conditions
- 35 eye problems
- 10 “other systems” conditions (including Brachycephaly, which is common in pugs and other “flat-faced” dogs)
- 11 renal problems
- 2 respiratory diseases
Physical Trait Markers
Physical traits run from coat color and length to tail type and more. Freya’s 4 “Likely to Have” include:
- Brown Coat
- Red Coat
- Larger Body Size
- Shedding
All four are accurate for the most part. She doesn’t shed a lot, but she does shed. For the longest time I thought she didn’t shed at all since I never see her fur around the house. Then I started taking her for rides in the car every day (we go for walks at the lake). My backseat proves that she does, in fact, shed.
Her coat is a reddish brown. Pharaoh Hounds have no black pigment in their bodies. Her pupils are the ONLY things on her entire body that are black. Even the pads of her feet and her nose are reddish-brown.
I did think the “likely to have a larger body” was interesting because Freya does seem larger than the average Pharaoh Hound to me.
Where to Buy
Basepaws sells their kits through their website and on Amazon. A single kit costs $149 on both sites. However, if you order before 1/30/24 directly through Basepaws, you can save $40 by using the coupon code SNOWY.
If you miss out on that one, no worries. You can still save $25 with the coupon code PAWS25. Also, if you want to test multiple dogs, they have some great multi-kit discounts.
Bottom Line: Is Basepaws Worth the Price?
Basepaws isn’t cheap, but it’s also not terribly expensive for what you get. For comparison sake, it’s roughly the same price as Embark and Wisdom Panel. So yes, in my opinion, it’s worth it. Especially if you adopted a dog from a shelter.. The health marker information alone makes it worth every penny.
Have you ever tried a dog DNA test? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
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