What Is the Difference Between Embark's Breed ID, Breed + Health, and Purebred DNA Tests?
Updated
Embark's three main DNA tests differ in what they screen for: Breed ID covers ancestry and relative matching, Breed + Health adds genetic health screening on top of breed identification, and Purebred is built for dogs believed to be purebred, screening 270+ health conditions and allergy risk. If you want the broadest picture of a mixed-breed dog, Breed + Health is the most comprehensive single test; if your dog is registered or known to be purebred, the Purebred test targets that situation specifically. Prices below reflect the sale prices shown on Embark's site at the time of writing.
How the three tests compare
| Test | What it covers | Best for | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed ID | Breed ancestry breakdown and relative matching | Owners who mainly want to know what breeds are in their dog | $119 regular, $109 sale |
| Breed + Health | All Breed ID features plus health testing | Mixed-breed dogs where you want ancestry and health risk information | $159 regular, $139 sale |
| Purebred | Screens 270+ health conditions and allergy risk across 4 categories | Dogs believed or known to be purebred | $159 regular, $139 sale |
All three start from the same sample collection method: a cheek swab. Embark describes its breed results as 99% accurate, powered by what it calls the world's largest dog database, and notes it is an official research partner of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Breed ID: ancestry and relatives
Breed ID is the entry-level option. It gives you a breakdown of your dog's ancestry and lets you find their relatives in Embark's database. Choose this if your main question is "what breeds is my dog?" and you don't need health screening. It's the least expensive of the three at $109 on sale.
Breed + Health: the most comprehensive single test
Breed + Health includes everything in Breed ID plus health testing. Embark describes it as its bestselling, most comprehensive DNA test. This is the one to pick if you have a mixed-breed dog and want both ancestry and health information from a single purchase. It's also the test included in the Breed + Health and Age Test Bundle ($239 on sale), which Embark positions as the best choice for rescue dogs who want to learn as much as possible from their DNA.
Purebred: health-focused screening for purebred dogs
The Purebred test screens for 270+ health conditions and allergy risk across 4 categories. It's aimed at dogs who are already believed to be purebred, so the emphasis shifts from "what breeds are in my dog" toward health and allergy risk. It's priced the same as Breed + Health ($139 on sale), so the choice between them comes down to whether your dog is purebred and whether you need the breed-mix breakdown.
Which one should you pick?
- You want breed ancestry only → Breed ID ($109 sale).
- You have a mixed-breed dog and want ancestry plus health → Breed + Health ($139 sale), or the Breed + Health and Age Test Bundle ($239 sale) if you also want an estimated age.
- Your dog is purebred and you want health and allergy screening → Purebred ($139 sale).
- You have multiple dogs → Embark lists a Breed + Health Test 2-Pack ($275 sale) and a Purebred Test 2-Pack ($275 sale).
One practical note: the site lists free shipping on US orders and mentions a subscription among its pricing signals, but the product pages shown don't specify subscription terms, so check the checkout page for any recurring charges before buying.