Mimi Padmabandu

Just as we love our dogs, our dogs love us, too, and they show their love in different ways. Different dogs and dog breeds vary widely in how much they like to be curled up next to their human. It’s a quality that humans have encouraged and selected for, as we’ve domesticated dogs to be...

Pannus is an immune-related eye disease in dogs that can cause vision impairment or even blindness if left untreated. Embark is partnering with Cornell University, a leading research institution, to gather samples for the study of the genetic factors involved in this disease. Keep reading to learn more about pannus in dogs and how you...

Is your dog named Luna, Bella, or Charlie? If so, you might be a trendsetter. These names are among the top 10 most popular dog names right now. Keep reading to see trending dog names by breed and size, as well as head-to-head comparisons of dog names from pop culture. How did we find the...

At just four months old, little Bamm-Bamm shares a few similarities with his namesake, Bamm-Bamm Rubble from The Flintstones. They’re both strong for their age and they were both adopted by loving parents. “As soon as we laid eyes on him, we knew he was our guy,” say Patrick and Kendra, Bamm-Bamm’s adoptive parents. “He...

Lieutenant Dan (Lt. Dan) was found on the side of the road in North Carolina in May 2017. Named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor from the film Forrest Gump, Lt. Dan the dog is paralyzed in both hind legs. But that doesn’t stop him from running and playing with the help of his wheelchair....

Animal shelters across the country have told us that DNA testing can help rescue dogs get adopted. By providing important genetic information, dog DNA testing helps shelters give prospective adopters insights into a dog’s breed mix, characteristics they might have, and more. At Embark, we believe that everyone should get to spend the holidays with...

You might be surprised to receive your dog’s breed results and find that a percentage of their breed ancestry comes from “Supermutt.” But what exactly is Supermutt? We hear this question often at Embark. Here, we’ll explain what “Supermutt” means, how Embark scientists match your dog’s DNA to different breeds, and why a “Supermutt” result...

As part of our genetic health screening, Embark dog DNA tests can determine if some dogs are at increased risk of developing mast cell tumors (MCTs). This risk is based on genetic breed ancestry and other factors. This model offers a new way to estimate relative risk for MCTs, especially for mixed-breed dogs. We know...

Knowing how to recognize common signs of mast cell tumors in dogs can help you catch them early. At Embark, we’re committed to improving the life and longevity of all dogs by providing our customers with information about their dogs’ health.  With that goal in mind, we now offer a genetic risk estimate that indicates...

Vardis, a sweet-faced rescue pup, had spent most of his life in shelters and foster homes as he waited for his forever family. Along the way, with the help of an Embark dog DNA test, Vardis reunited with a special someone—his long-lost sister, Brunch. Their heartwarming reunion story appeared in The Dodo, People, and The...

Genetics is the study of how DNA is passed down from one generation to the next. It is a complicated, always-changing field. Here, we’ll explain the basic concepts in dog genetics and define some genetics terms that you might see in your dog’s Embark results. Key terms in dog genetics explained You may see some...

Toys are important parts of your dog’s life. They provide enrichment, exercise, an outlet for teething, and—most importantly—fun! But dog toys can also pose potential safety hazards. Keep your dog safe and avoid potential injuries with these dog toy safety tips. General dog toy safety tips Always inspect new toys before giving them to your dog....