Join Embark's research into canine health

By telling us more about your dog, you’re powering research on canine health. From cancer to aging and behavior, learn more about our ongoing research and how to get involved.

As a pack, we make an impact

Embark has world-leading canine geneticists and veterinarians dedicated to making discoveries to end preventable disease in dogs.

Through our research partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, we’ve developed a high resolution genotyping platform that analyzes a dog’s genome at over 230,000 different locations. This genetic information is paired with your survey responses to find associations between genes and health, behaviors, and traits.

By testing with Embark and sharing more about your dog, you’re fueling future scientific discoveries. We’ve already made an impact. And we’re just getting started.

Buy your kit and contribute to research

Your dog can lead the way

Your Embarked dog can lead the way for all dogs. If you log in to your account and navigate to the “Research” tab, you’ll find available surveys waiting for you, with new ones added periodically.

We’re the genetics experts, but you know your dog from head to tail. By taking our research surveys, you’re providing insights that help drive science. The more surveys you take, the more likely we’ll be able to make a discovery that will help dogs everywhere.

Already bought your kit? Contribute to research

Current studies

By telling us about your dog, you’re participating in citizen science that helps us identify the genetic underpinnings of various canine health conditions, behaviors, and physical traits. Join us in making discoveries to improve the lives and longevity of dogs everywhere.

We are currently enrolling dogs in the following targeted research studies. Read about each study and see if your dog qualifies.

Canine Cancer Initiative

Inclusion criteria: Poodle, Rottweiler, Cancer history

We are researching some of the more common cancers in dogs. The list of eligible breeds and cancer diagnoses expands periodically. Check back to see if your dog qualifies.

Learn more about the Canine Cancer Initiative

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Inclusion criteria: DCM diagnosis

We are actively recruiting dogs who have been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy through an echocardiogram performed by a cardiologist. This will be the largest study of its kind.

Learn more about the Dilated Cardiomyopathy study

Annual Health Survey

Inclusion criteria: Embark-tested

Every year we release an Annual Health Survey to hear about how your dog is doing over time. We ask about a wide variety of conditions, and the information collected can teach us a lot about dog health and epidemiology.

Learn more about the Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia study

Even if your dog isn’t eligible for one of these studies, we’d like to hear from you. Share more about your dog and what research topics are important to you. We will email you about future research opportunities your dog may be eligible for.

Research interest form

Some of our discoveries

Intensity of red coat pigmentation

Embark recently discovered that red pigment intensity is a phenotype controlled by at least five genetic loci across dog breeds. This discovery allows Embark to explain 70% of the variation in hair coat pheomelanin intensity across purebred and mixed breed dogs. By leveraging phenotype data from 3,000 dogs submitted by owners and breeders, Embark now has the ability to predict coat color intensity with high accuracy.

Deafness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Embark scientists discovered a genetic variant associated with early-onset adult deafness (EOAD) in Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. This variant is a 12-base pair deletion in the EPS8L2 gene, which plays an important role in the inner ear hair cells in humans and other mammals. This discovery was made possible with help from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, projectDOG, and dedicated dog owners and breeders.

Inbreeding depression in the Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study by the Morris Animal Foundation follows a cohort of over 3,000 Golden Retrievers throughout their lives, aiming to understand genetic and environmental factors that affect health and lifespan. Embark genotyped a cohort of study participants and discovered that inbreeding is also a concern for the breed. Every 10% increase in COI leads to a litter decreasing by one puppy.

Interested in other research? See the full list of publications by Embark scientists and leadership

Our research partners

Building a brighter future for animals with the brightest of (human) minds

Leading canine health, breed, and industry organizations collaborate with us. By bringing together some of the brightest minds, we accelerate impactful research focused on identifying genetic associations to health-related conditions.

Learn about our research program

Embark was founded by scientists and veterinarians, with the goal of using science to improve dog care. Our research-grade genotyping platform enables our scientists to make new discoveries in dog health. We do this through genome-wide studies that connect genetic data to health data or traits.

Our customers and their dogs are the citizen scientists behind our discovery engine. Every dog’s DNA fuels research that can help all dogs live longer, healthier lives.

Want to learn more? Read about our ongoing studies, published research, and more by exploring our Resources + Insights.

Visit our Resources + Insights