Paw Print Genetics

Founded in 2012, Paw Print Genetics rocked the world of canine genetics by offering OFA-accepted, breed-specific disease panels at reasonable prices. Paw Print developed it’s own processes for DNA testing and uses two molecular methods to check each mutation to ensure accuracy. A third method is used if the first two don’t agree and/or a new sample requested. All testing in done in Paw Print’s own lab, and both PhD geneticists and veterinarians oversee testing, review results, and sign reports. What’s more, Paw Print promises results just two weeks from the arrival of your dog’s sample. Since samples are stored at the lab after completion of testing, additional tests can be added on at anytime. Paw Print invested in several lawsuits, working tirelessly to fight patents and ensure dog-owners access to canine DNA testing at an affordable price from a lab of their choice. Founder & CEO Lisa Shaffer is a board certified geneticist in canine genetic testing. Shaffer previously co-founded Signature Genomics, a diagnostic laboratory for people.

Embark

With just over one year of selling DNA tests to the public, Embark is the newest canine genetics company on the block. Embark partners with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where one of two founding Boyko brothers is an assistant professor in biomedical science. With the former director of National Geographic’s Geographic Project also on the team, Embark promises big dreams as the company markets towards appealing to the average dog-owner. This Texas-based company partners with Illumina Lab in California where the same testing procedures used on human samples is conducted on doggie saliva. Results are double checked using a single method to ensure accuracy. While a veterinarian does not oversee testing or sign off on results, Dr. Kate Robinson, a veterinarian who completed a residency in genetics, is available to answer questions and review results if there is a concern. Embark offers an amazing number of tests at an incredibly low price.

Embark promo code: save $20 on your Embark DNA kit with the code winter20 (expires 4/30/19)

What’s the difference?

So what are the differences between Paw Print Genetics & Embark and which is the best choice for testing your breeding dogs? The chart below highlights some of the major differences (the following information was obtained through Paw Print Genetics and Embark’s websites as well as through communication with both companies’ team):

Now let’s compare the tests each company offers that are relevant to goldendoodles (notice that for $179 Embark includes disease, color, coat, and diversity tests all in one package):

* Note: Paw Print Genetics offers a panel of 150 diseases for $135 through Canine HealthCheck. Click here to learn more about the differences between Canine HealthCheck and the Paw Print Genetics breed-specific disease panel for breeders.

Which canine genetics company is best for breeding dogs?

Whether Paw Print Genetics or Embark is the right choice depends on the situation. Embark‘s significantly cheaper price tag certainly makes it an appealing option for breeders. If knowing whether your breeding dogs carry parti or merle is important, you may want to order those tests through Paw Print even if you use Embark for the majority of your testing. If you are relying on genetic testing results to choose a puppy from a litter (i.e. matching an F/F puppy with a family with pet allergies), Paw Print’s 2 week turnaround time will definitely be appreciated over Embark’s lengthy 4-6 week process, but Embark’s time frame is still manageable. For those selling breeding puppies, Paw Print’s $20 “cleared by parentage” designation may appeal to other breeders, as they can have their new pup’s disease carriage verified at a fraction of the cost of ordering a disease panel. On the other hand, if you are considering multiple traits, Paw Print’s $56+ per individual test can add up quickly for a litter of puppies and may quickly surpass Embark’s $179, making Embark the more economical choice. If you are new to breeding and anticipate having questions about genetic testing or test results, Paw Print may be the best choice. Paw Print repeatedly receives excellent reviews for customer service.

Best customer service

Paw Print Genetics continually receives raving reviews about their excellent customer service. Paw Print has received 4.9/5 stars on Facebook, and a quick scroll through reviews shows repeated compliments to their staff support, availability to answer questions, and customer service. Similarly Embark boasts a 4.7/5 star rating on Facebook. Reviews frequently reference satisfaction with discovering a dog’s heritage.

When researching for this post, I contacted both Paw Print and Embark via email. Paw Print promptly responded, answering all of my questions in great detail through email. While Embark responded quickly, the representative refused to answer a number of my questions over email. Instead she instructed me to schedule a 30 minute time slot for her to discuss my questions over the phone. Anyone busy raising puppies knows that scheduling a 30 minute appointment for asking questions is less than ideal. If you are new to canine genetic testing and anticipate having questions, consider choosing Paw Print.

Where do I buy canine genetic testing kits?

Paw Print Genetic’s testing kits can be purchased through their website. Be sure to check “current discounts” under the “pricing tab,” as Paw Print is nearly always offering a sale (anywhere from 30%-50% off). For Paw Print Genetics Canine HealthCheck, kits can be purchased on Amazon as well as on Canine HealthCheck’s own website. Check both to determine which has the best deal of the day.

Embark’s testing kits can be purchased either through their own website or on Amazon. Signing up as a breeder may afford you additional discounts.

Are there other canine genetics companies?

Yes! There actually are a lot of companies that test doggie DNA. Here are a few other popular ones:

Animal Genetics

3-5 day turn around
Goldendoodle disease panel: DM, GR-PRA1, GR-PRA2, Ich, NEwS, PRA-prcd, vWD1 ($200)
Offers curl & furnishing
Clear by parentage if both parents checked through Animal genetics
$45-$55 for individual tests
$40-$50 for coat traits; $130 for color profile

DDC Lab

5 day turnaround
Goldendoodle diseases: DM, vWDI
Offers curl & furnishings
$58 for the first test, $20 for additional

University of Missouri partnering with OFA

Goldendoodle diseases: DM, NEwS
$65 per test (price includes automatic registration of the results in the OFA database)
Tests can also be ordered directly through OFA

While the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) partners with the University of Missouri’s , OFA maintains a list of laboratories throughout the country that run canine genetic testing. View OFA’s list to see other options for where you can have your dog’s health testing completed.

References:

Embarkvet.com

pawprintgenetics.com/

www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/30/genetic-pawprints/

Note: much of the information contained in this post was obtained through email and phone conversations with persons representing both Paw Print Genetics & Embark

Timberidge Goldendoodles is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees via affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!