How pet DNA tests work | The science behind Wisdom Panel™ tests

Did you know that, genetically speaking, a Chihuahua and a Great Dane are 99% identical? Or that—due to the unpredictable nature of trait inheritance—a domestic shorthair cat could turn out looking totally pedigreed?

So, how do we detect the difference? Our scientists have spent more than a decade developing a custom genotyping chip and an industry-leading breed detection system. All to make sure we get the most precise picture of your pet’s breed mix. Because they deserve the best.

Fig 01:

With 40x greater genetic resolution, our dog breed detection system allows us to identify slight differences between even the most closely related breeds.

Fig 02:

To provide the most reliable results, we compare your pet's genome against the world's largest breed reference database (27,000+ samples from over 50 countries)..

We have no business selling you DNA tests if we’re not going to be the best, most helpful option out there. So when we do test your pet’s DNA, we go deep. And we compare your pet’s sample to the world’s largest reference database for both dogs and cats.

Our database lets us test your pet’s genetic code against millions of possible breed combinations and screen for over 365 dog and over 70 cat breeds and populations. With the world's largest breed database, we’re able to give you the most accurate results. And as we continue to add data as a community, we can make more and more discoveries to help all petkind.

You’ve seen us say it: we screen for more breeds than leading competitors and with more accuracy than any other pet DNA service. But, for us, that’s table stakes. We’re always working to improve the way we help care for your pets.

Right now, our detection system is 1,140x more efficient than the industry standard. We process tens of thousands of samples in minutes. (Which we think is pretty cool.) And this process is fully scalable—meaning our tests will only get faster, more accurate, and more comprehensive. So there’s no limit to how many pets we can help or how many ways we can help them.

Fig 03:

After 20+ years of research and development, we've made technical advancements that improve our accuracy and speed while maintaining costs for you.

Fig 04:

In a first-of-its-kind product feature, Wisdom Panel's behaviour insights are powered by statistical models that rely on hundreds of informative genetic variants and breed ancestry proportions for each behaviour.

For the first time ever, pet parents can see the genetic links that drive their dog's individual tendencies and behavioural predispositions. And that's a big deal, because when you understand the "why" behind your pup's personality and quirks, you can tailor their training and care to their unique needs.

Our team of scientists analysed our DNA database of over 5 million pets and layered in data from 1.5 million veterinary medical records and more than 200,000 survey responses from our pet parent community to uncover the genetic underpinnings of 15 behavioural traits. In order to deliver the accuracy you've come to expect from Wisdom Panel, we developed complex statistical models that leverage hundreds of genetic variants and breed ancestry proportions for each behaviour included in our tests. The result? Unprecedented insights that give you a deeper understanding of your dog and strengthen the special bond you share.

Fig 04:

Our rigorous quality control standards are comparable to those that human genetics testing companies use.

You’ve probably heard of human-grade pet food or dog shampoo. But what we’ve got is a human-grade lab. (CLIA-certified in fact.) So, we’re not messing around with your dog’s genetic sample. We’re using the best-quality equipment available.

We work with Neogen Genomics. They’re genetic pros with more pet DNA experience than any other lab, receiving more than 1.5 million samples every year. (And, in case you’re into acronyms, along with being CLIA-certified, our US lab is AAHA-compliant, ISO 17025-certified, and accredited by both A2LA and the USDA.)

Download The White Paper (PDF)

Meet our experts—including scientists who contributed to the dog and cat genome projects.

Jason Huff, PhD

Senior Scientist Computational Biology

Oliver Forman, PhD

Product Development Manager

Jonas Donner, PhD

Discovery Manager

Heidi Anderson, PhD

Senior R&D Mananger

Our partners

Scientific publications

We’re proud to be part of the largest pet care company in the world. See the research that’s helping us improve life for all petkind.

PLOS Genetics

June 16, 2022

Genetic epidemiology of blood type, disease and trait variants, and genome-wide genetic diversity in over 11,000 domestic cats

PLOS Genetics

February 27, 2023

Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs

Canine Medicine and Genetics

December 08, 2021

The effect of inbreeding, body size and morphology on health in dog breeds

Human Genetics

May 13, 2021

Missense variant in LOXHD1 is associated with canine nonsyndromic hearing loss

Human Genetics

February 19, 2021

A missense variant in IFT122 associated with a canine model of retinitis pigmentosa

Human Genetics

February 06, 2021

Intronic variant in POU1F1 associated with canine pituitary dwarfism

Showing 6 of 40 articles

Find the best DNA test for your pet.

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet, there's always more to know. So we have four different tests to help you discover the answers you need to understand your pet— whether you’re excited to learn more about their breed mix or you want to go full crazy pet parents and run hundreds of tests to know all the details. (Yes, we’re the latter.)

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Celebrate our 5 million pet milestone with up to 25% off.

Want the best for your pup?

You know your pet better than anyone. But DNA can show you so much more.

See how Wisdom can help you get to know your whole pet, and let you pet parent in an entirely new way too.

The breakthrough tech your pet deserves.

The biggest database for the best breed detection.

Science that only gets smarter over time.

Pioneering behaviour insights that empower pet parents.

Not your average lab.

Want to dig into the details?

Meet our experts—including scientists who contributed to the dog and cat genome projects.

Our partners

We’re proud to be part of the largest pet care company in the world. See the research that’s helping us improve life for all petkind.

Genetic epidemiology of blood type, disease and trait variants, and genome-wide genetic diversity in over 11,000 domestic cats

Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs

The effect of inbreeding, body size and morphology on health in dog breeds

Missense variant in LOXHD1 is associated with canine nonsyndromic hearing loss

A missense variant in IFT122 associated with a canine model of retinitis pigmentosa

Intronic variant in POU1F1 associated with canine pituitary dwarfism

An across-breed validation study of 46 genetic markers in canine hip dysplasia

Comprehensive genetic testing combined with citizen science reveals a recently characterized ancient MC1R mutation associated with partial recessive red phenotypes in dog

Atypical Genotypes for Canine Agouti Signaling Protein Suggest Novel Chromosomal Rearrangement

Variation in breeding practices and geographic isolation drive subpopulation differentiation, contributing to the loss of genetic diversity within dog breed lineages

Recessive missense LAMP3 variant associated with defect in lamellar body biogenesis and fatal neonatal interstitial lung disease in dogs

A putative silencer variant in a spontaneous canine model of retinitis pigmentosa

Characterisation of canine KCNIP4: A novel gene for cerebellar ataxia identified by whole-genome sequencing two affected Norwegian Buhund dogs

True Colors: Commercially-acquired morphological genotypes reveal hidden allele variation among dog breeds, informing both trait ancestry and breed potential

TSEN54 missense variant in Standard Schnauzers with leukodystrophy

NME5 frameshift variant in Alaskan Malamutes with primary ciliary dyskinesia

Whole Genome Sequencing of Giant Schnauzer Dogs with Progressive Retinal Atrophy Establishes NECAP1 as a Novel Candidate Gene for Retinal Degeneration

Canine models of human amelogenesis imperfecta: identification of novel recessive ENAM and ACP4 variants

Heterozygosity testing and multiplex DNA panel screening as a potential tool to monitor health and inbreeding in a small, closed dog population.

A novel KRT71 variant in curly‐coated dogs

Origins and wanderings of the Finnish hunting spitzes

Frequency and distribution of 152 genetic disease variants in over 100,000 mixed breed and purebred dogs

Frequency of five disease-causing genetic mutations in a large mixed-breed dog population (2011–2012)

An intronic LINE-1 insertion in MERTK is strongly associated with retinopathy in Swedish Vallhund dogs

Founder representation and effective population size in old versus young breeds-genetic diversity of Finnish and Nordic Spitz

Homozygous PPT1 Splice Donor Mutation in a Cane Corso Dog With Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

An Inversion Disrupting FAM134B Is Associated with Sensory Neuropathy in the Border Collie Dog Breed

Genetic Panel Screening of Nearly 100 Mutations Reveals New Insights into the Breed Distribution of Risk Variants for Canine Hereditary Disorders

A Novel Genome-Wide Association Study Approach Using Genotyping by Exome Sequencing Leads to the Identification of a Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Associated Inversion Disrupting ADAMTS17

Two Independent Mutations in ADAMTS17 Are Associated with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in the Basset Hound and Basset Fauve de Bretagne Breeds of Dog

Genome Wide Analysis Indicates Genes for Basement Membrane and Cartilage Matrix Proteins as Candidates for Hip Dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers

A web resource on DNA tests for canine and feline hereditary diseases

Missense Mutation in CAPN1 Is Associated with Spinocerebellar Ataxia in the Parson Russell Terrier Dog Breed

Genome-wide SNP and haplotype analyses reveal a rich history underlying dog domestication

Parallel Mapping and Simultaneous Sequencing Reveals Deletions in BCAN and FAM83H Associated with Discrete Inherited Disorders in a Domestic Dog Breed

Complex population structure in African village dogs and its implications for inferring dog domestication history

Genetic Mapping of Fixed Phenotypes: Disease Frequency as a Breed Characteristic

Population Structure and Inbreeding From Pedigree Analysis of Purebred Dogs

Single-Nucleotide-Polymorphism-Based Association Mapping of Dog Stereotypes

A Single IGF1 Allele Is a Major Determinant of Small Size in Dogs

*Based on controlled tests of known purebred dog samples

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Jason Huff, PhD

Oliver Forman, PhD

Jonas Donner, PhD

Heidi Anderson, PhD