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.
Join Embark's research into canine health
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.
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.
DNA samples needed for Cornell’s Pannus study
Embark Veterinary is partnering with Jacquelyn Evans, PhD, of the Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University, to collect blood samples for a study to identify genetic risk factors for Chronic Superficial Keratitis (Pannus). This immune-related eye disease affects many breeds but often occurs in German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Sheepdogs.
Dr. Evans is looking for German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Sheepdogs for her study that have been diagnosed with Pannus OR are least 8 years old, with no history of eye disease, and no close relatives (e.g., parents, siblings, or grandparents) with Pannus. Registered or non-registered dogs are acceptable, and dogs may come from a variety of lines, including show, working, or companion.
Please contact Dr. Evans directly at caninegenetics.evanslab@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in the study. Learn more about Chronic Superficial Keratitis (Pannus) at the Evans Lab. Thanks for helping with canine research so all dogs can live longer, healthier lives.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Some of our discoveries
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Intensity of red coat pigmentation
Read more about how we predict the intensity of red coat pigmentation
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Deafness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Read more about how we discovered an early-onset adult deafness assisiation
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Inbreeding depression in the Golden Retriever
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.
