r/DoggyDNA • • Dec 03 '19

If you aren't currently doing a DNA test on your dog, please go to /r/IDmydog to ask for breed guesses!

454 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • Apr 14 '26

Genetics/DNA We're Embark: AMA about our new Mast Cell Tumor Risk Score, now available for all dogs!

67 Upvotes

Hi all!

We're Embark's science and vet team, and we're here to talk about something we've been working on for a while: our updated Mast Cell Tumor (MCT) risk score.

What's new: Our previous MCT risk assessment could only flag elevated risk, and only for dogs with certain breed backgrounds. Now every dog with a Breed + Health test gets a percentage risk score plus a designation — below-average, average, or elevated. These new results can be found under "Genetic Risk Scores" in your dog's health results.

Why this matters: Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs. The good news? They're also one of the most treatable: more than 80% can be cured with surgery alone when caught early. The hard part has always been knowing which dogs to watch more closely. That's what this score is for.

How it works: Instead of looking at one gene, we built a polygenic risk score that combines signals from hundreds of genetic markers along with breed ancestry and sex to estimate your dog's individual inherited risk. To be clear, the risk score is not a diagnosis: it won't tell you your dog will get an MCT. But it tells you whether your dog's genetics puts them at higher, lower, or average risk compared to dogs generally, and that may change how you and your vet might approach monitoring.

What you can do with it: The single most important step — especially for dogs at elevated risk — is regular body checks. Run your hands over your dog, feel for new lumps, keep tabs on old ones. Your dog will think it's just really good petting. If you spot something new or changing, that's your cue to call the vet.

Here today: (proof)

  • Kari Cueva, DVM, Associate Director of Veterinary Genetics
  • Brett Ford, MS, Senior Scientist in Applied Science
  • Taki Kawakami, PhD, Principal Scientist in Computational Biology

We'll be live from 12:30–3 PM ET and checking back tomorrow and Wednesday for anything we miss. No question too basic or too technical — ask us anything. We'll sign our answers so you know who's talking.

EDIT: Thanks all for the questions! We're signing off for today but we'll be checking back in over the next day or two -- so feel free to drop a question if you came late.

Update 4/16: Correcting something from earlier — the updated MCT Risk score is available for dogs tested from March 2026 onward, not for all dogs tested since the original May 2023 model launched. Dogs with scores under the original model will still see those results. Sorry for the mix-up, and we've edited the affected responses below.


r/DoggyDNA • • 8h ago

Results - Embark Kiwi, the Mexican Street Dog

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153 Upvotes

We got her at 8 months and she survived a terrible case of anaplasmosis. We love the little Super Pitoodle!


r/DoggyDNA • • 10h ago

Awaiting results So impatient

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54 Upvotes

Max’s Embark test went to genotyping Oct 15th. I’m checking the app every hr 😂. I just want to know!


r/DoggyDNA • • 19h ago

Results - WisdomPanel Results are in for Pigeon!

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132 Upvotes

Thanks everyone for the guesses! However, she is NOT pitsky!!!


r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Results - Embark My Greek Rescue Boy! Chihuahua x

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240 Upvotes

This is my super sweet, very quirky, and mildly neurotic 4 year old rescue guy who came from Athens. I’ve had him for about 7 months!

He’s so loving and happy go lucky, equally content to go for a 5 mile hike or chill in bed all day (he also insists on sleeping with his head on my pillow). I was told he was a Cocker Spaniel Setter mix, but we were totally convinced he was heavy on the spaniel side with his big curly ears and head of hair that I’ve only ever seen on springers and cockers. He’s about 45-50 pounds (depending on the number of treats he gets and amount of food he steals) and shorter than my parents’ female Setter.

Turns out he’s 🥁🥁 75% English Setter (since Llewellin is pretty much just a subsection of English Setter), 11% GSP, and best of all…14% some mixture of Chihuahua (this is my favorite thing to joke about, hence the title) Pekingese, and German Shepherd. Now that I know, the long snout and feathers are totally obviously Setter but where the rest of it comes in is anyone’s guess. He’s a little shorter and stockier than most male setters I know, but his luscious feathers make him look (see final picture for his true form).

We were all shocked he had no spaniel in him but regardless, he’s my best buddy and my partner in crime and I absolutely adore him!


r/DoggyDNA • • 16h ago

Awaiting results New member of the family

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3 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Results - Embark My foster fail puppy. Nobody can guess his breeds.

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576 Upvotes

This is my foster fail puppy Lincoln. He was 76lbs at 10 months. His adoption paperwork said he was a husky mix that was an accidental litter. His 2 littermates that I have met look exactly like him and the rescue said the female they didnt pull looked like a husky. Honestly, I thought he was maybe mostly shepherd , Pyrenees with a little husky in him. Boy was i wrong! This is his brother's DNA. I assume they have the same percentage because they look almost identical.


r/DoggyDNA • • 15h ago

Test Question/Advice How does Embark present the DNA results? Trying to avoid spoilers Spoiler

1 Upvotes

My puppy's DNA test is on the way to the lab now. I had the silly idea to throw a little "breed reveal" party like a gender reveal, but I don't know how the results will come up and don't want to spoil it! Can you download a PDF? Does it automatically pop up? Any insight would be great!


r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Awaiting results DNA test was put in the mailbox this morning! Any guesses from anyone?

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96 Upvotes

This is Rocco (named after the rock that Elmo beefs with)! We adopted him in April.

He is the sweetest baby ever, estimated at 2 yrs old and 16 lbs.

Inside Rocco wants nothing more than to receive pets from any person willing to give them away. He does an absolutely precious little head lean when he is getting touched at all.

Outside this dude is crazy and FAST. Like I dont think i have seen a dog his size run so quickly and gracefully, he almost looks like a gazelle running.

He was picked up as a stray, and 2 weeks later we adopted him, so we really have zero information on his backstory. He is incredibly well adjusted for a dog that has been a stray for so long, he loves adults, kids, cats, other dogs, etc. We really lucked out with him!

Guesses so far (Mostly Chihuahua+X):

Chihuahua/Beagle

Chihuahua/Pitt

Chihuahua/Boxer

Chihuahua/Shiba

Chihuahua/Mini Pin


r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Results - DNAMyDog This is Mako! We have no history on his parents so we’re throwing our guesses as to what combo he could be. The adoption organization listed him as a German shorthair pointer.

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22 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Awaiting results Sending off Chandni’s Test Monday! Best guesses?

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26 Upvotes

She was a gift from us to my MIL 4 years ago next month and is so very loved! Always on an adventure with her mom. We were told Shih Tzu, but I feel she’s too big (I’d say averages between 16-18lbs?) and her face isn’t quite right? Give us your best guesses!

We got her from the same area where we got our boy, posted here before- Chinese Crested, West Highland Terrier, and Shih Tzu. How funny it would be if they’re related.


r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Results - Embark My results are in and hes a great dog, I believe he’s going to have a protective side to him which I can already tell. He’s really lovable also. I raised a German shepherd and also fostered a gsd before also.

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2 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Awaiting results Goo

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81 Upvotes

We’re awaiting goo’s results! The shelter said she was a terrier mix. She’s about 25 pounds and on a weight loss journey (1.6 pounds down!). I think she should be 18-20 pounds ideally. I’m curious about what everyone thinks!


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Awaiting results Rigatoni

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281 Upvotes

We’re waiting on the results for our 14 week old pup! He’s about 7 lbs. All we were told at the rescue is he’s a “shepherd mix”. We really have no idea! He’s sweet, feisty, and super smart!

Any guesses??

*Pic 4 suggests part Lion.


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Awaiting results DNA test pending. Full Pyr? Or Pyr mix?

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364 Upvotes

We adopted Deacon from a Great Pyrenees rescue at the end of August. He is obviously mostly Pyr, but we’re curious to see if there’s anything else in there. He’s only 60 pounds (although he should be 70ish — we’re working on beefing him up!) and is often mistaken for a golden.

If Deacon was mixed with something, what do you think it would be?


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Awaiting results Guess the Korean rescue mutt!

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152 Upvotes

Adopted her at 8 months from Seoul, South Korea. My guess is Korean Village Dog but rescue said Jindo Mix. She’s a “seal coat” which is apparently rare but her two sisters were light brown and had longer curly tails. She has a weird bob tail thing, very long legs, and is about 20 lbs.

I cannot WAIT to see what Embark says.


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Awaiting results I am excitedly impatiently awaiting Mr Nips results. So let's play the guessing game again. No hints this time. It's probably going to be at least 2 weeks or more before I get his embark dna results. He is big, roughly 100 pounds. His back is almost 30 inches high. He is long.

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8 Upvotes

I know what his results should be but after seeing so many members results I am preparing my apologies to everyone that I argued with about the breed of my dogs, just in case.


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Results - Embark Jabber got his results! Guess?

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281 Upvotes

Last photo is his results.


r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Results - WisdomPanel 20 different breeds in my beautiful snuggly girl

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74 Upvotes

Results on the last 2 slides.

I sent out my DNA swabs on 10/1, they received it on 10/5 and I got my results on 10/10! Super fast turn around. I was pretty surprised to see what her top breed was. What did you all think before you saw the results?


r/DoggyDNA • • 1d ago

Awaiting results Can someone ID my 15 week old puppy for me

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0 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • 2d ago

Results 🐾

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19 Upvotes

r/DoggyDNA • • 3d ago

Results - Embark foster fail evolution!

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257 Upvotes

i fostered this sweet girl after her owners got into a high speed chase from the cops that ended in a collision, killing her sister in the car (note: dog, not human!) she was caked in dirt, had a gnarly ear infection, worms, and alopecia. she’s now a double coated, long haired goober who loves her cat siblings! (trying to convince her human dad we need another foster fail weirdo for her to make friends with hehe) — embark results at the end!!

supermutt results (in order): german shepherd, russell-type terrier, pekingese


r/DoggyDNA • • 3d ago

Results - Embark Update! Toby’s Results!

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250 Upvotes

Never would’ve thought so much chihuahua! I feel like he gets most of his looks from the American Eskimo!!


r/DoggyDNA • • 3d ago

Results - WisdomPanel Remembering our great guy

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115 Upvotes

Our sweet boy passed last week. He was kind, a bit aloof, but loved to be by his family’s side. The softest ears ever. We weren’t surprised by the pit but were expecting more so lab, hound or catahoula in the mix. Vet said he did have the eyelid entropion that is extremely common in chow breeds.