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Genetic Health Education
Expert articles about DNA testing from genetics 101 to best practices. Embark answers questions about the genetic coefficient of inbreeding, interpreting results, when to breed carriers and more.
Measuring Inbreeding and How Genetic COI Can Help Your Breeding Program
Learn about genetic COI (coefficient of inbreeding) and how it can be used to inform breeding decisions with Aaron Sams, PhD. Many factors are considered when choosing which dogs to use in breeding programs including conformation, temperament, genetic disease mutations, and much more. Assessing the impact of inbreeding is another factor to consider. In this...
Webinar: The Art and Science of Breeding
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...
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Genetics: Health, Traits, and COI
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,...
Bearded Collie Genetics: Health, Traits, and COI
Learn how Embark is helping Bearded Collie breeders better understand genetic health, coat color traits, and inbreeding. What does Embark test for in Bearded Collie? Genetic health tests offered by Embark for Bearded Collies: Collie Eye Anomaly, Choroidal Hypoplasia, CEA (NHEJ1) Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A) Learn more about these health conditions on our health page....
Not breeding your purebred? Why a dog DNA test still matters
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...
Assessing a potential mate? Start with a COI request.
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...
Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs
Wobbler Syndrome in dogs—also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM)—is a common disease of the cervical spine in large and giant breed dogs. Presently, the genetic basis for Wobbler Syndrome is unknown. Although the condition mostly affects Doberman Pinschers (~5%) and Great Danes (~4%), it can also occur in Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Borzoi, and Poodles,...
Should I breed a dog tested as a carrier or at-risk?
Learn how to factor genetic health results into breeding decisions in this introductory video with Dr. Adam Boyko. How should I factor my dog’s health results into my breeding decisions? Many breeders receive their dog’s Embark results and discover that their dog is a carrier or at-risk for a genetic health condition. This prompts a...
Dog DNA Tests: Top 6 Things Breeders Need to Know
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...
How Testing for 230+ Genetic Conditions Helps Purebred Dogs
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...
Meet Embark’s Veterinary Geneticist Service Team
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...
Science Corner: Genetics 101
Embark’s Professional Team strives to provide you with the most useful, most actionable test results. To best leverage these results, it’s useful to understand the basics of genetics and what factors need to be considered when applying test results to a breeding program. Genetics can be simple or complex, and both are actual scientific terms...
