Why it matters
Instead of breed, this test reads DNA methylation, a biological clock, to estimate age and birthday. Embark says 77% of dogs' true birthdays fall within 12 months of the estimate. It works best past the puppy stage, includes vet-developed life-stage information, and returns results 4–5 weeks after the lab gets the swab.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Good fit if
- Rescue dogs
- Unknown birthdays
- Life-stage planning
Look elsewhere if
- Diagnosing illness
- Proving purebred status for registries (check rules)
- Quick answers (results take weeks)
Pros and cons
Pros
- Age estimate
- Life-stage info
- Simple swab
Cons
- Estimate only
- No breed info
- 4–5 weeks
Limitations to weigh
- Breed results are estimates from the maker's reference database, and health screening shows genetic risk, not a diagnosis; discuss any health result with your vet before acting.
Specifications
Every figure below comes from the source shown in brackets. Where the maker doesn't state something, we say so instead of estimating.
| Price seen | $92.65 | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
| Product weight | 3.52 ounces | Retailer |
| Model number | MET201 | Retailer |
| Warranty | 2 year manufacturer | Retailer |
| In the box | Swab | Retailer |
Alternatives worth comparing
More dog dna & health tests we cover
- Wisdom Panel Breed Discovery Dog DNA Test $99.99 seen
- Embark Purebred Dog DNA Test $111.20 seen
- Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Test $119.99 seen
- Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test $159 seen
All dog dna & health tests, compared in one table · Every Embark product we cover
Final verdict
A useful rescue test.
Where to buy
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