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When I first started dating my husband, I also became a dog mom to his then‑5‑year‑old black lab mix, Indo. Anyone who’s a pet parent knows how much furry friends change our lives—and this was certainly true for me with Indo.
While she was obviously most attached to my husband at first, she began to accept me more and more, eventually becoming my daily work buddy. Now, the day doesn’t feel complete without Indo lying across my legs as I type away at my computer. Since then, my husband and I have welcomed a 3‑year‑old into our family, but Indo will always be our first baby. She’s the one who taught me about patience, unconditional love, and the special way a dog can make a house feel like a home.
Indo looks most like a black lab, but she’s actually a mixed breed my husband adopted from the shelter. My husband swears she has some Pitbull in her (we’ve had to downplay this on occasion, lol), but we’ve never really known for sure. That’s why I was so excited to try out Embark Breed & Health Test, because it’s a way to finally uncover the mystery of Indo’s heritage.
Embark’s Breed + Health Test is designed for the curious dog parent who wants to understand their pup’s unique mix. With over 400 breeds tested and 99% breed ID accuracy, it’s trusted by millions of dog owners. The 50,000+ five-star ratings speak for themselves. Developed by veterinarians in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the test gives dog parents insights that can deepen their connection with their furry family members.
For me, the appeal is obvious. I already love Indo to pieces, but understanding her roots felt like the ultimate way to celebrate her uniqueness.
Beyond simply satisfying curiosity, Embark gives you a comprehensive look at your dog’s genetics. Some dogs carry genetic mutations that make them sensitive to certain medications, including anesthetics. Embark screens for more than 270 genetic health risks and four allergy scores, helping you take early action to manage and treat certain conditions.
The test goes beyond health, too. You can even connect with their relatives through Embark’s canine database. Indo’s quirks, from her obsession with guarding the house to her love of tug-of-war, could also be traced back to her breed mix with Embark’s new Personality Profile. The test also decodes traits like coat type, size, and grooming needs.
What really made me love Embark, though, is how simple it is to actually take the test at home. The process starts with gently swabbing the inside of your dog’s cheek pouch and under the tongue for about 30 seconds to collect saliva. Once the sample is collected, you activate the kit online and drop the swab into the prepaid envelope to mail to their lab. I literally sealed Indo’s swab, slid it into the envelope, and mailed it, all while still in my pajamas. Super easy.
From there, Embark takes care of the rest. In about 2–4 weeks, they notify you by email when the results are ready. Then you log in to your account to explore all the fun learnings. For busy dog parents like me, it’s fast, stress-free, and totally worth it.
A few weeks after mailing Indo’s swab, I got the email I’d been waiting for: her results were ready!
As it turns out, Indo is a mix of six breeds. Her biggest percentages are American Pit Bull Terrier (34.6%), Labrador Retriever (25.3%), and Rottweiler (13.7%), along with a few smaller contributions in the mix. One of my favorite parts of these results was how much context Embark provides around each breed. Beyond the percentages, you can take a personality quiz about your dog, and the platform connects those traits back to their breed heritage. For example, Indo scored high as a “guardian,” which immediately made sense—she takes her self-appointed job of guarding the house very seriously. That instinct is strongly linked to her Rottweiler background. Her intense focus, toy obsession, and watchfulness also track with traits often seen in Pit Bulls.
At the same time, the results highlight where your dog might “break the mold.” Indo, for instance, is incredibly chill and low-energy, which is actually a bit atypical for Labrador Retrievers, who are usually known for being high-energy dogs. It was fascinating to see how some of her traits line up perfectly with her breed mix while others make her totally one-of-a-kind.
Another cool detail I loved learning about was Indo’s “wolfiness score.” Before taking the test, I had never even heard of this. Embark measures wolfiness based on the number of ancient genetic variants present in their unique marker panel. Most dogs score 1% or less, while scores between 2–4% appear occasionally in certain breeds. Indo’s wolfiness came back at 2.5%, which is considered relatively high (and honestly just a very cool little piece of trivia about her DNA).
Overall, getting Indo’s results was such a fun experience. It answered some questions we’d had for years, while also helping us understand her personality and instincts a little better. If you’re curious about your own furry family member, the Embark Breed & Health test is a great way to learn their story. It’s easy to do at home, full of fascinating insights, and might just help you see your dog in a whole new way. Give it a try!
The editors at SheFinds wrote this post on behalf of Embark Vet and received compensation as part of our agreement.
