How to Read an Embark Dog DNA Test for Breeding
Genetic testing is only useful if you understand what you are looking at. Embark is one of the most comprehensive dog DNA tests available — but the results panel can be overwhelming the first time you open it. Here is how to read and use your results for breeding decisions.
Navigating Your Embark Dashboard
Once your dog's results are ready, Embark organizes them into several sections:
- Breed — ancestral breed breakdown
- Health — disease risk and carrier status
- Traits — coat color, type, and physical characteristics
- Family — DNA relatives
For breeding purposes, you will spend most of your time in Health and Traits.
Reading the Traits Section: Coat Color Genes
This is where the color genetics live. Embark tests for all the major coat loci:
| Locus | What It Controls | Example Results |
|---|---|---|
| E locus | Red/cream vs. pigmented | E/E, E/e, e/e |
| K locus | Dominant black vs. patterned | KB/KB, KB/ky, ky/ky |
| A locus | Pattern type (tan points, sable) | at/at, ay/at, ay/ay |
| B locus | Black vs. chocolate/brown | B/B, B/b, b/b |
| D locus | Full color vs. dilute | D/D, D/d, d/d |
| S locus | Solid vs. parti/white | S/S, S/sp, sp/sp |
| M locus | Merle | m/m, M/m, M/M |
How to read the notation: Each result shows two letters — one from each parent. Uppercase = dominant allele, lowercase = recessive.
Reading the Health Section: Carrier Status
This section shows results for hundreds of genetic diseases. Each comes with one of three statuses:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Clear | No copies of the variant; cannot pass it to offspring |
| Carrier | One copy; does not show symptoms but can pass it on |
| At Risk | Two copies; may be affected by the condition |
For breeding, focus on any conditions where your dog is listed as Carrier or At Risk. These are the variants you need to manage when selecting a partner.
Key Things to Look For Before Breeding
Color Genetics — What to Match
- Check what your dog carries at each locus
- Find a partner whose loci combine to produce the colors you want
- Predict the likely outcome using Punnett squares or a genetics calculator
Health — What to Avoid
- Never pair two carriers of the same disease — each puppy would have a 25% chance of being At Risk
- If your dog is At Risk for a condition, only pair with a Clear dog
- Some conditions are breed-specific — prioritize the ones most common in your breed
Sharing Results with a Stud Owner
Embark allows you to share a public link to your dog's results. Request the same from any stud owner before booking. A reputable stud owner will provide this without hesitation.
Look at both panels side by side:
- Do any health carriers overlap?
- Do the color genetics combine to produce what you want?
The Bottom Line
Once you understand the structure, Embark results are straightforward to read. Spend 30 minutes in your results panel, cross-reference both parents at each locus, and you will have far more confidence in your breeding decision than any breeder working from appearance alone.