How to choose a dog DNA test for breeders
A cheek swab can now screen a dog for hundreds of inherited conditions, along with coat, color and inbreeding. However, the labs differ in what they test and how results are accepted. This VerifiedStuds guide compares the main options and explains how to use the results.
A pet DNA kit mostly answers "what breed is my dog?". A breeder needs something different. First, the test must cover the disease genes that matter in the breed. Second, the result must be accepted by OFA or the parent club. Third, the report should be easy to share with other breeders.
So before you order a dog DNA test for breeders, read your breed's health list. Our health testing guides name the DNA tests each parent club asks for.
Lab
Type
Good for
Embark for Breeders
Broad panel with genetic COI
Whole-dog screening and matching pairs
Wisdom Panel / Optimal Selection
Broad panel
Screening many conditions at once
Paw Print Genetics
Breed panels and single tests
Targeted tests with detailed reports
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
Single tests and breed panels
University lab; coat, color and newer tests
Animal Genetics and similar labs
Single tests
Low-cost individual tests
Prices change often, so check each lab's site. As a rough guide, single tests often cost $40 to $80 each, while broad breeder panels usually run from about $100 to $200.
Broad panels test for a long list of conditions in one go. That is convenient, although many of those conditions do not occur in your breed. In contrast, targeted labs run exactly the tests you choose. Therefore, many breeders use a broad panel first and add single tests where the panel has gaps.
Not every lab's result is accepted everywhere. OFA records DNA results from a list of approved laboratories, and CHIC requirements follow that list. So if you want a test to count toward a CHIC number, confirm two things first: that the lab is accepted, and that it tests the exact mutation your breed's program names.
This matters because one disease can have several mutations. For example, Bernese Mountain Dogs have two forms of degenerative myelopathy, and a basic test covers only one. Read degenerative myelopathy DNA test.
Most disease tests report one of three results for each condition:
Clear: no copies of the mutation. The dog cannot pass it on.
Carrier: one copy. For a recessive disease the dog stays healthy, but half of its puppies will inherit the gene.
At risk or affected: two copies. The dog may develop the disease, and every puppy inherits one copy.
For recessive diseases, the rule is simple. Never pair two carriers, or a carrier with an at-risk dog. However, a carrier bred to a clear dog produces no affected puppies. As a result, a good carrier can stay in a breeding program.
Breeder panels also report traits. For example, they show coat length, furnishings, shedding and color genes, which matter a great deal in doodles and in breeds such as the French Bulldog. See French Bulldog color genetics explained.
In addition, some panels measure genetic inbreeding and predict it for a planned litter. Read coefficient of inbreeding explained.
The AKC DNA profile often causes confusion. It is a parentage test only. It confirms who a dog's parents are, and it says nothing about health, coat or breed. Even so, the AKC requires it for frequently used sires and for shipped or frozen semen. See AKC DNA profile for stud dogs.
DNA covers only the conditions with known mutations. Hip and elbow dysplasia, most heart disease, epilepsy and many cancers have no simple test. Therefore, x-rays, heart exams and eye exams are still needed. See OFA hip and elbow grades explained and the CAER eye exam guide.
When a stud owner mentions a dog DNA test for breeders, ask for the lab report itself, not a summary. It should show the dog's name, the lab, the date and each result. Then lay it beside your female's report and compare condition by condition.
On VerifiedStuds, owners can upload DNA reports to the stud's profile. Find a health-tested stud, and compare prices in the stud fee guide. Stud owners can list their stud free.
Which dog DNA test is best for breeders?
It depends on the breed. Broad panels suit general screening, while targeted labs suit breeds with specific required tests. Check which labs OFA accepts.
Does OFA accept Embark results?
OFA records results from approved labs for many tests. However, confirm that your specific test and breed are covered before you rely on it.
Can a carrier dog be bred?
Yes, to a clear mate. For a recessive disease, that pairing produces no affected puppies.
Is the AKC DNA profile a health test?
No. It only verifies identity and parentage.
Do DNA tests replace hip and eye exams?
No. Many important conditions have no DNA test, so physical exams and x-rays remain essential.
Sources: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, diseases and DNA tests, Embark for Breeders, Paw Print Genetics, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, American Kennel Club, DNA program. Prices are estimates and change often.
Stud owners upload lab reports to their profiles, beside the fee.