My first dog as an adult was a purebred Rhodesian Ridgeback named Toronto.
Toronto was an incredible dog — loyal, athletic, soulful. He lived a full, happy life for a Ridgeback, making it to twelve years old.
After Toronto passed, it took us almost six years to even consider another dog.
When we finally did, I was open-minded. I thought about a number of different breeds:
I also explored more athletic breeds like the German Shorthaired Pointer and Weimaraner, looking for a partner for hiking and jogging.
One day, my wife’s sister sent us a Facebook video of rescue dogs coming up from Arkansas. There, among dozens of pups, was this little reddish tan puppy — with a full, clear ridge running down his back. He looked exactly like a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and for us, he was irresistible.
We applied immediately and, against the odds during the pandemic puppy craze, we got him.
When we brought Ranger home, I was convinced he was mostly Ridgeback, if not purebred. The ridge, his athletic build, and his scent-driven behavior all pointed to it. With DNA testing common place it was a no brainer for us to get him tested.
Before continuing with this story, this is a good point to note that I ended up DNA testing Ranger with both Embark and Wisdom panel, so this post reflects my comparison as a consumer, but also my overall experience with DNA testing and if, ultimately, I think it’s useful.
With that note out of the way, let’s get into the meat of this story.
We chose Embark first. We waited for the kit to arrive, swabbed Ranger, and anxiously awaited the results.
Obviously, as the title gives away, I was expecting mostly Ridgeback. I thought, maybe there could be some German Shepherd, and possibly even a little Beagle as Ranger sniffs everything like a maniac.
Reality... 0% Ridgeback detected, 6.6% German Shepherd, no Beagle.
Below is the DNA profile Embark found:
No Ridgeback. No Beagle. Barely any German Shepherd.
I was so confused. I can see his ridge. A ridge so nice that it would make any Rhodesian jealous.
So, I reached out to Embark to see if they could explain how a dog with a full ridge could have no detectable Ridgeback ancestry.
They got back to me fairly quickly, and their answer was polite — they confirmed that Ranger’s DNA showed no Ridgeback, and they explained that sometimes physical traits like a ridge can appear without recent breed ancestry.
At the end of the day, it just wasn’t enough for me. So I decided to try a second DNA test, this time with Wisdom Panel, to see if I could get a more complete picture.
At first, the results were similar. Still no Ridgeback. But when I reached out, Wisdom Panel went a level deeper.
They:
The difference? It felt like their response was personalized to Ranger. Embark’s response felt like it was mostly a canned response they use any time anyone questions their results. In contrast, it was clear that Wisdom Panel took the time to look at what I was saying and then review Ranger’s results. They sent me a 16 page detailed analysis that was specific to Ranger.
Also, Wisdom Panel followed up with me several weeks later to let me know their database had been updated and with the new update, Ranger’s results had changed and his profile now included 5% Rhodesian Ridgeback! I knew I wasn’t crazy! For what it’s worth, it’s been a few years now and Embark hasn't updated their results.
While customer service is important, both Embark and Wisdom Panel offer a lot of information and it’s worth reviewing the full comparison below before deciding which fits your needs the best. For me, just based on the customer service, I would use Wisdom Panel next time and likely skip Embark, that said, if ancestry is important to you, then Embark could be the right choice for you.
Before we dig into the meat, let’s just compare the breed results I got from the two for Ranger.
Before choosing between the DNA providers it’s important to know that that beyond the pie charts showing “30% Golden, 20% Goofball,” there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Both Embark and Wisdom Panel scan your dog’s DNA against 350+breeds, types, and varieties. They claim to detect ancestry down to just 1%,which is how my dog’s Ridgeback background finally surfaced with Wisdom Panel after being missed the first time.
Embark also checks for a “wild side” — scanning for genetic traces of wolves, coyotes, dingoes, and so-called village dogs (a catch-all for ancient, unstandardized breeds). Wisdom Panel sticks to domesticated dogs, but covers just as many.
So whether your dog’s background is classic Labrador or an international cocktail of surprises, these tools cast a very wide net.
Want to know why your dog has black-tipped fur or pointy ears? Or why she insists on sleeping upside down in a sunbeam?
Both tests analyze dozens of physical traits, from coat color, pattern, and texture to ear shape, muzzle length, tail type, eye color, and more. Embark includes some fun behavioral traits too — like food motivation and baseline activity level.
Here’s where these kits get serious. Depending on which version you buy, both tests screen for 200–265+ genetic health risks, including:
Embark reports these in a downloadable PDF you can forward to your vet.
Wisdom Panel goes one better — they offer a free 15-minute call with a vet if anything concerning shows up in the results.
Either way, these tests can give you a heads-up long before symptoms appear, and that peace of mind is arguably more valuable than the breed pie chart.
Both test claim over 99% confidence in breed detection.That’s based on analyzing hundreds of thousands of genetic markers per sample, using reference libraries built from known purebreds.
I doubt either are actually close to that number, but still there was enough crossover between the results to feel like they might be more like 80% accurate.
Your dog’s swab is processed in certified U.S. labs, using standards like AAHA, USDA, and ISO, so the results aren’t just fast — they’re fairly reliable.
Still, when breed ancestry gets diluted (think 3+generations back), some nuance can slip through the cracks. That’s why follow-up or multi-kit testing sometimes reveals surprises — like Ranger’s Ridgeback finally showing up with Wisdom Panel, but not Embark.
Beyond the core results, both kits offer bonus features depending on what you’re into:
And if you’re a multi-pet household: Wisdom Panel tests cats too. So if your dog’s sibling is a mystery tabby who acts like a lion, you’re covered.
While most people focus on breed mix, the health screening is under appreciated. These DNA test can uncover what you can’t see — hidden health risks.
Both Embark and Wisdom Panel screen for hundreds of genetic health conditions, some of which could affect how you care for your dog over the long haul.
Embark scans for 250+ genetic conditions across 16 categories. These include disorders related to:
Wisdom Panel screens for 200+ health risks, including:
When we tested Ranger, both reports provided a detailed breakdown of each risk in three tiers:
✅ Clear — no mutations detected
➖ Carrier — your dog has the gene but is unlikelyto be affected
⚠️ At-risk — potential to develop the condition or pass it on
What You Can Do With That Info
Both companies make it easy to share your dog’s full genetic health report with your vet.
And if something serious comes up?
Knowing what your dog might face won’t solve everything, but it can help you make better choices — from nutrition to activity to which meds to avoid. And if it helps prevent one surprise emergency, it’s worth it.
If you’re wading through the sea of dog DNA kits, here's what you actually get with the different test types.
Standard Kits
Both Wisdom Panel and Embark offer basic ancestry kits, and these will:
Health Test Kits
Step up to the health-focused versions, and you’ll get:
As noted previously, Wisdom Panel throws in a complimentary consultation with a veterinarian if you want to chat through any surprising results. Embark, on the other hand, adds neat features like family tree visualizations, maternal/paternal lineage maps, and even the chance to find canine relatives around the world.
In terms of price, the standard kits are friendlier on yourwallet, with Wisdom Panel generally coming in lower—and both companies charging a premium for the health reports. But no matter which test you choose, you’ll get a thorough look into your dog’s ancestry, traits, and health from both.
Thankfully, neither test requires a PhD in canine biology. But depending on how squirmy your pup is, the sample process might test your patience — or your coordination.
Wisdom Panel: Two Chances, More Bristles
Wisdom Panel gives you two rigid-bristle brushes, each designed to swirl around inside your dog’s cheek for about 30 seconds. The two-swab setup is helpful if your dog chomps the first one — which, let’s be honest, can happen. But the brushes are a bit… intense. Think: mini pipe cleaners for molars.
Ranger was not a fan. It took a few tries and some serious side-eye before we got a usable sample. The instructions were clear, though, and the return envelope was easy.
Embark: One Swab, Softer Experience
Embark keeps it simple with a single cotton-tipped swab. It felt gentler and was easier to maneuver — more like, “Hi, can I borrow your saliva real quick?” than a dental cleaning. Ranger tolerated it better, and we were done in seconds.
Embark’s kit also includes a vial that you shake like a vinaigrette once the swab is sealed — a small extra step, but oddly satisfying. Their online registration process was also slightly faster than Wisdom Panel’s.
Which Is Easiest on Your Pup?
Bottom line: neither is difficult, but if your dog hates having their mouth messed with, Embark is the more forgiving kit. Wisdom Panel might give you a second swab — but you might need it.
One thing I appreciated from both companies was how transparent the process felt. From the moment Ranger’s cheek swab hit the mail, I could follow along — sample received, processing underway, results ready — all through email updates and a live dashboard.
Wisdom Panel tends to be a little faster. In our case, results came back in about 2–3 weeks, all delivered in a single, cleanly formatted report. Their online dashboard shows real-time progress, and the layout makes it easy to explore everything from breed breakdowns to traits and health risks without getting overwhelmed.
Embark was a little slower — around 3–4 weeks for the full results — and the report came in stages (breed first, then health). Their tracking system works fine, though it’s not quite as polished or interactive as Wisdom Panel’s.
If you’re the impatient type (guilty), Wisdom Panel wins on speed and simplicity. But both companies make the wait easy — and kind of fun —with step-by-step updates and a clear sense of progress.
Both Embark and Wisdom Panel offer interactive, data-rich dashboards that let you explore your dog’s genetics in depth. But their styles— and the experience they deliver — feel very different.
Wisdom Panel’s dashboard is clean, intuitive, and genuinely pleasant to navigate. Breed results are presented in clickable pie charts that lead to polished breed profiles, complete with history, quirks, and expected traits like size or temperament. Trait summaries — coat color, body type, ear shape, ideal weight — are clearly laid out with no scientific decoder ring required.
The experience is fast and polished, and the real-time progress tracker helps you follow your test from swab to results. For first-timers or casual users, this dashboard feels personal, interactive, and actually kind of fun. It makes the process feel as smooth as tracking a pizza delivery — only with more fur and fewer toppings.
Embark’s dashboard is less flashy but packed with granular data. You’ll get full breed breakdowns, deep-dive trait analysis, and even the option to download your dog’s raw DNA data. If you’re curious about things like appetite genes, muzzle length, muscling, or the precise distribution of wild ancestry markers, Embark delivers.
Where they really stand out is in the advanced ancestry tools:
It’s a lot — and probably more than most casual users need. But for people who love genetics, or want to explore their dog’s heritage in full resolution, Embark makes it possible.
Both dashboards deliver on their core promise — just in very different ways.
Beyond breed percentages and health markers, some of the most fascinating features in dog DNA testing are the ones that dig into your pup’s deeper roots — like maternal and paternal lineage, living relatives, and even how far back the ancestry goes.
Embark offers something Wisdom Panel doesn’t: the ability to explore your dog’s maternal and paternal haplogroups. That means you can trace your dog’s ancestral lines separately through the mother and father’s sides — a kind of canine family map that spans continents and centuries.
It’s not just cool trivia. These haplogroups offer insight into the geographic and genetic origin stories of your dog’s lineage. Whether your pup’s ancestors roamed through European valleys, Asian highlands, or rural North America, Embark shows you the broad strokes of that journey. For sentimental types, it adds a whole new emotional layer to the results.
Wisdom Panel, by contrast, doesn’t yet offer maternal/paternal lineage mapping. You still get an excellent breed breakdown and ancestry chart, but not that extra generational granularity.
One feature I didn’t expect to love: relative matching.
Embark includes a built-in Relative Finder that scans their database to identify other dogs genetically related to yours — sometimes even pinpointing the closeness of the relationship, like cousin or half-sibling. If the other owner has opted in, you can even reach out and connect — think doggy family reunion, 23andMe-style.
It’s quirky, but heartwarming.
Wisdom Panel doesn’t currently offer a relative-matching feature. Their focus is more on breed, traits, and health — and less on the social side of DNA.
Both Embark and Wisdom Panel trace your dog’s ancestry back to the great-grandparent level — roughly three generations deep. Each test builds a visual family tree, breaking down what breeds likely appear on each side of the family.
When exact breeds can’t be pinned down, you’ll get probabilities or grouped breed categories, which is still useful if your dog’s mix is especially complex. You can also click into each breed on the chart to explore history, quirks, and physical traits — perfect for nerding out or figuring out why your dog looks the way they do.
Embark also offers tools to explore:
This level of detail can be helpful for breeders, rescue organizations, or anyone just looking to understand how their dog’s family history might influence behavior, health, or structure.
It’s true — Embark can be a little slower to return results because of all this depth. But if you’re the type who wants to leave no genetic stone unturned, it’s absolutely worth the wait.
If you’re trying to decide which dog DNA test gives you the best bang for your buck, here’s how they stack up right now.
Wisdom Panel is typically the more budget-friendly choice:
Embark, on the other hand:
So yes, Embark costs more — especially at full price — but they do offer a few extras, including:
Wisdom Panel, however, covers nearly all of the same practical use cases: ancestry, health risk screening, and traits — and their dashboard is cleaner, their turnaround time is typically faster, and their customer service (at least in my experience) was more helpful and detailed.
If you’re looking for maximum data, Embark still delivers. But for most dog owners — especially those trying this for the first time — WisdomPanel Premium offers outstanding value for a lower price.
After using both Embark and Wisdom Panel on the same dog, here’s how I’d sum it up.
If You Want a Clear, Well-Rounded Snapshot:
Wisdom Panel is the more approachable option. The dashboard is beautiful, the results are easy to navigate, and you get plenty of meaningful information on:
Turnaround time is typically faster, and the user experience feels polished from start to finish. For first-timers or anyone who wants clarity without overwhelm, Wisdom Panel nails the balance of depth and simplicity — all at a more budget-friendly price point. It’s also worth repeating that the WisdomPanel customer service was significantly more personalized.
If You Want to Explore Every Corner of Your Dog’s DNA:
Embark is the tool for the DNA-curious (or obsessive). Yes,it costs more — and the results take a little longer — but you get:
It’s an incredible resource if you want to truly geek out on your dog’s genetic past — or if you’re the type to build spreadsheets and ancestry trees just for fun.
Both tests are incredibly useful — and I’m glad I did both. But if I had to choose just one going forward? Wisdom Panel would be my winner.
The ridgeback trait is dominant.
That means even distant Ridgeback ancestry can cause a full visible ridge — even if the breed mix is heavily diluted.
Ranger's coat shows:
Fun fact: The white on Ranger’s paws and chest is aresult of "residual white spotting." It's like pouring a can of paintover a dog's back — the pigment starts at the spine during development andflows outward. If there's not enough "paint," the edges (paws, chest,tail) stay white.
Ranger's intense nose-to-ground tracking?
That drive is strong in herding breeds and guardian breeds too, not just scent hounds.
"Supermutt" ancestry is a mix of distant, undetectable breed contributions.
Every rescue dog has a little mystery in them — and that's part of the fun.
Different DNA companies have different reference libraries and algorithms.
Updates happen — and catching low-percentage breeds like Ranger's Ridgeback heritage is becoming more possible over time.
DNA tests gave me a window into Ranger’s history. But theydidn’t define him.
Your dog is more than a percentage.
They're your hiking buddy, your running partner, your family.
No matter where the DNA says they came from — you’re their home now.
Your no-nonsense guide to raising a confident, well-behaved pup.
Includes behavior tips, house training, socialization, real-life examples, and early routines to set your dog up for success.
