I DNA Tested My Rescue Dog, Here’s What I Learned

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When we adopted Toby, we didn’t know much about him.

All we knew was that he was eight weeks old, a “mixed breed,” and from a small town in Northern Ontario called Attawapiskat. That was it. No real sense of what he’d grow into, or what kind of dog we were bringing home.

At first, it didn’t matter. He was tiny, chaotic, and fully ours. But as he got older, and a lot bigger, and a lot more energetic, I started to wonder what was actually in the mix. Not just out of curiosity, but because I wanted to understand him better.

That’s what led me to try a DNA test from Embark Veterinary.

And it ended up telling me a lot more than I expected!

Why I Wanted Answers In The First Place

If you have a rescue dog, you probably get this.

You love them instantly, but there’s always that question sitting in the background. What are they actually made up of?

For me, it went beyond curiosity pretty quickly. I wanted to understand Toby in a more practical way.

• Why was his energy so high?
• What kind of routine actually suited him?
• Were there any health risks we should be thinking about early?

I didn’t want to guess my way through it.

After reading through reviews and comparing options, I kept coming back to Embark because it doesn’t just tell you the breed. It also screens for over 270 genetic health conditions, which made it feel like a much more useful tool long term.

The Process Was Surprisingly Simple

When the kit arrived, all I had to do was swab the inside of Toby’s cheek, send it back, and that’s it. No vet appointment, no complicated setup.

A few weeks later, I got access to Toby’s full profile online, and everything was laid out in a way that actually makes sense.

Toby’s Results Explained… A Lot!

When the results came in, I didn’t expect them to be this specific.

Toby turned out to be:

• 30.2% Alaskan Malamute
• 22.3% Siberian Husky
• 13.1% German Shepherd
• 8.1% Beagle
• 26.2% “Supermutt”

And his Supermutt mix includes Poodle (Small), Labrador Retriever, Collie, and Saint Bernard.

Which, looking at him now, explains everything.

The energy, the independence, the occasional stubborn streak, it all started to make sense in a way it hadn’t before. And beyond the breed breakdown, the health side stood out just as much.

Embark screens for different genetic health conditions, and Toby came back clear across the board, which was a huge relief.

How It Changed How I Care For Him

This is where it shifted from “interesting” to actually useful.

• His energy finally made sense: Knowing he’s part Malamute and Husky reframed everything. He needs more structured exercise, not just random walks.
• We adjusted his routine: We started building in more mental stimulation, not just physical activity, and it made a noticeable difference.
• Vet conversations feel more informed: Instead of guessing, we now have a clearer starting point when thinking about long-term health.

The Results Are Easy To Understand

One thing I didn’t expect to care about, but did, was how everything is presented. The dashboard breaks everything down into:

• Breed composition
• Traits and tendencies
• Health insights
• Visual family tree

It doesn’t feel clinical or overwhelming, which makes it much easier to actually use – plus new features are often added, like understanding more about Toby’s personality.

Final Thoughts

Testing Toby’s DNA gave me answers I didn’t even realize I was looking for.

It explained his behavior, helped shape his routine, and made me feel more confident about how we’re caring for him long term.

And if you’ve ever looked at your dog and wondered what their story actually is, this is a pretty satisfying way to find out.