Purdy Poodles

Understanding Embark DNA Testing

Health & Nutrition·4 min read

Understanding Embark DNA Testing

When a breeder says their dogs are "health tested," one of the most comprehensive ways to back that up is through Embark Veterinary DNA testing. Embark screens for over 250 genetic health conditions and provides breed-specific insights that help breeders make informed decisions about their pairings.

What Is Embark?

Embark is a canine genetics company that uses research-grade DNA testing to screen dogs for genetic health risks, carrier status, and traits. A simple cheek swab is sent to their lab, and results come back in a few weeks with a detailed genetic health profile.

Unlike a standard vet visit — which only catches problems that are already showing symptoms — DNA testing reveals what a dog carries genetically, even if they appear perfectly healthy.

Key Health Conditions Screened in Standard Poodles

Embark tests for hundreds of conditions, but these are the ones most relevant to standard poodles:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

  • What it is: A degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness
  • Results: Clear, Carrier, or At Risk
  • What to look for: Both parents should be Clear, or at minimum one parent Clear (Carrier × Clear produces no affected puppies)

Von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)

  • What it is: A bleeding disorder caused by deficiency in clotting proteins
  • Results: Clear, Carrier, or At Risk
  • What to look for: Same as PRA — at least one parent should be Clear

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE)

  • What it is: A fatal neurological condition in newborn poodles
  • Results: Clear, Carrier, or At Risk
  • What to look for: Both parents Clear, or one Clear and one Carrier

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

  • What it is: A progressive disease of the spinal cord, similar to ALS in humans
  • Results: Clear, Carrier, or At Risk
  • What to look for: At least one parent Clear

Additional Screenings

Embark also tests for conditions like:

  • GM2 Gangliosidosis — a fatal neurological storage disease
  • Osteochondrodysplasia — skeletal development abnormalities
  • Over 250 other genetic conditions across all breeds

How to Read Embark Results

Each condition gets one of three statuses:

  • Clear (0 copies) — The dog does not carry the mutation and cannot pass it on
  • Carrier (1 copy) — The dog carries one copy of the mutation but is not affected. Can pass it to offspring
  • At Risk (2 copies) — The dog has two copies and may develop the condition or is affected

Responsible breeders use these results to plan pairings that never produce At Risk puppies. A Carrier bred to a Clear dog will produce puppies that are either Clear or Carrier — never At Risk.

Why DNA Testing Matters

A dog can look healthy and still carry genes for serious conditions. DNA testing removes the guesswork:

  • It's preventive, not reactive — You find out what a dog carries before breeding, not after puppies are affected
  • It protects every generation — Responsible pairing based on DNA results means no affected puppies
  • It's transparent — Embark results are shareable and verifiable. A good breeder will show you the full panel for both parents
  • It covers more than a vet check — A standard wellness exam cannot detect carrier status for genetic diseases

What to Ask a Breeder

When evaluating a breeder, these are the right questions:

  • Can I see the Embark results for both parents? A responsible breeder will share these willingly.
  • Are both parents Clear or properly paired? For every condition on the panel, no pairing should produce At Risk puppies.
  • When were the tests done? DNA results don't expire, but you want to confirm testing was actually completed (not just ordered).

Red Flags

  • "We've never had any health issues" — That's not the same as testing. Many genetic conditions are recessive and can hide for generations.
  • "Our vet says they're healthy" — A vet exam is important, but it cannot detect genetic carrier status.
  • "DNA testing is unnecessary" — The test costs a couple hundred dollars per dog. Any serious breeder considers this a basic investment.
  • No results available and no willingness to share — Move on.

Bottom Line

DNA testing through Embark is one of the most important steps a breeder can take to protect the health of their puppies. It's science-backed, transparent, and gives puppy buyers real confidence that their dog was bred responsibly.

A good breeder will be proud to show you the results.