Lisa Peterson

  In honor of DNA Day on April 25, we are highlighting one of the most commonly observed traits in dogs, their unique coat types and explaining the underlying science that determines the outcome. Coats come in a variety of forms ranging from the short, hard, wiry coats of terriers to the long, silky coats...

Your dog is one-of-a-kind. But have you ever wondered what makes them that way? Embark makes it our business to know your pup down to their DNA. Our scientists unlocked a secret to understanding dogs’ roan coat patterns — and they couldn’t have done it without the help of everyday dog owners who wanted to...

The Past DNA testing and profiling came of age less than 50 years ago – providing for a myriad of opportunities, including forensics, screening for predisposition to disease, and paternity testing. Paternity testing, by common definition: Typically, a DNA-based test to determine whether a given male could be the biological parent of a given offspring....

Published: January 13, 2020 We’re pleased to announce the addition of a new trait test to the Embark for Breeders product, testing for a variant in the HPS3 gene that causes a coat color referred to as “cocoa.” What Does Cocoa Look Like Phenotypically? This variant causes dogs that would otherwise produce black pigment to...

Veterans Day is a federal holiday meant to honor those who have served in the military. In celebration of Veterans Day, we sat down with Francess “Myrph” McMahon of Stand With Me, a nonprofit organization that places service dogs with veterans. Stand With Me takes a unique approach by teaching veterans to train their own...

Does your dog have serious dandruff, excessive scaling, or cracked skin? It may be due to a skin disorder called canine ichthyosis. While ichthyosis in dogs may be cosmetically unappealing, it may also cause considerable discomfort and lead to other systemic concerns. There is considerable ongoing research into skin disorders with both known and unknown...

Bleeding abnormalities  (coagulopathies) in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons: Infection, organ failure, toxins—or they can be caused by an inherited abnormality in the coagulation pathway. Although some breeds are known to have a higher incidence of blood disorders, coagulopathies can affect breeds of all types and sizes—from Doberman Pinschers to Shetland Sheepdogs,...

At Embark, we strive to provide the most comprehensive testing service available, continually conducting research and collaborating with leaders in the field to add new health conditions and traits tests to our Embark for Breeders suite of products. This process  includes adding new probes to the research-grade microarray we use to test each dog’s DNA...

Looking for the right fit in a dog DNA testing company? The AKC Canine Health Foundation and the OFA, two of the most prestigious authorities in the dog breeding world, recently published a review of the dog DNA testing industry—and it’s an extremely useful guide. Not only does it provide practical explanations of genetics and...

A webinar presented by The Westminster Kennel Club and Embark Vet. Embark Veterinary and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show are pleased to present an informative panel discussion featuring three experts in purebred dog breeding, showing, and canine genetics. Watch this live video event to hear practical guidance and expert perspective relevant to all dog...

Understanding genetic health risks, physical traits, and genetic coefficient of inbreeding for Pembroke Welsh Corgis Genetic health tests offered by Embark for Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A) Exercise-Induced Collapse (DNM1) Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rcd3 (PDE6A) Von Willebrand Disease Type I (VWF) X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (IL2RG Variant 2) Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease,...

More and more registries and breed organizations require it with your dog’s DNA results submission: Veterinary verification of identity. Of course, Embark’s DNA Test already includes multiple verification checks: We confirm that the genetic sex matches the owner-reported sex for a dog. We conduct a review of genetic breed ancestry. If needed, we even compare...