Lisa Peterson

Embark’s mission is to end preventable disease in dogs. As part of this work, we are committed to providing expert guidance to breeders about genetic health conditions and how the risk of developing them can differ between variants and among breeds. One such group of conditions is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Embark currently tests for...

Purebred dog owners often ask, why should I Embark-test a dog I’m not planning to breed? The answers may surprise you. Not only can an Embark test provide you with important genetic health information that could help prevent emergencies, manage disease, and save you money on long-term veterinary bills; but your dog could hold the...

It is well-established that genetic diversity has been declining in many dog breeds over the past two centuries due to the strong selection of several specific traits, combined in some cases with reductions in breed population sizes at specific points in history and the popular sire effect. This is not only a concern for many...

Responsible breeders know the value of genetic COI (coefficient of inbreeding) in making breeding decisions: Not only is it correlated to overall canine health and lifespan, but it can also be extremely useful in assessing potential breeding mates for your dog. In fact, it’s one of the reasons many breeders choose Embark for their DNA...

Embark Veterinary is proud to sponsor the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the fourth consecutive year as the official dog DNA test of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The 146th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan® was held on June 20-22 at the historic Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown,...

Genetic health testing is growing among breeders who see the benefits of informed breeding decisions and healthier litters. We asked Embark’s experts to weigh in on common questions. Q: What is genetic health screening? A: A genetic health screen provides extremely detailed information that can be used to improve your dog’s health, optimize breeding pairs, improve litter outcomes, and...

A common and important question – why does Embark test for health conditions that are not known to impact my breed? First, it is essential to know that Embark prioritizes health conditions that are known to impact your breed.  Embark clearly highlights these breed-relevant genetic health conditions at the top of the health summary on each dog’s...

Embark was founded with the mission to end preventable diseases in dogs. To help achieve this, Embark’s dog DNA tests use a research-grade microarray. This allows us to provide the most accurate and comprehensive results on the market, as well as to conduct ongoing research and make new genetic discoveries to further canine health. Meet...

Dog fanciers are passionate about their breeds and the unique attributes that define breed type, characteristics, and temperament. Generations of careful breeding and selection have helped to refine these breed-specific traits and allow everyone to enjoy the remarkable variation that is represented in hundreds of purebred dog breeds. At Embark, we celebrate and support the...

Every Embark test screens ALT activity (via a GPT genetic variant)– one of several values your veterinarian measures on routine blood work to gauge your dog’s liver health. To best leverage your dog’s GPT result in his or her health care, it’s important to understand how your vet can use this clinical tool to establish a baseline...

DNA testing can help improve your dog’s life and your breeding program. But did you know it can also help improve the vitality of the breed itself? Breeders who use Embark don’t just get a DNA report. They get their dog’s genetic raw data to share with researchers, health organizations, breed clubs, and others working...

Every day, our brave service men and women stand ready to protect us. But for many, the hardest battle is the one they face after returning home: post traumatic stress (PTSD). When this happens, who stands ready to protect them? Often, it’s a service dog. Since June is National PTSD Awareness Month, we wanted to...