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This article was created in partnership with Embark and includes affiliate links. Their Breed + Health Dog DNA Test didn’t just uncover Arlo’s roots — it helped us reconnect a big piece of his story. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, we only share brands we truly love and believe in.
Some kids spent their afternoons in candy aisles; my brother and I found ours outside pet stores. Growing up in Taipei, we’d press our faces against the glass, mesmerized by the beagle puppies tumbling over one another – floppy ears, white-tipped tails, and those familiar tri-color coats of black, brown, and white.
When our family moved to the U.S., that childhood fascination finally came true. With a backyard of our own, we brought home Hunter, our first beagle – and truly, the heartbeat of our family. Through those defining years of settling into a new life, he became our guiding compass – always curious, kind, and adventurous, with that soulful look that makes you believe dogs really do understand everything you’re saying.
Beagles are known for their friendliness and trust, which is precisely what makes them so beloved – and, heartbreakingly, why they’re often used in laboratory testing due to their docile nature. When Hunter passed, I promised myself I’d honor him. That promise took form in Arlo, a small, timid beagle who came home with me in August 2022 – one of the 4,000 dogs rescued from the Envigo facility in Virginia, a large-scale breeding and research operation shut down after federal investigations revealed inhumane conditions.
When I first met Arlo, he was a one-year-old bundle of ribs and worry. Out of the twenty-some beagles transported from Virginia to San Diego for fostering through Cage to Couch Rescue, he was among the most timid. Something in his gentleness mirrored my own fragility at the time, and that quiet reflection made our bond feel immediate.
Those early weeks were slow. He’d hide in the corner of my apartment and turn away from even the yummiest food. He didn’t know how to walk on a leash or what it meant to touch grass. Two weeks in, I had yet to see his tail wag, and I worried his trauma ran deeper than I’d imagined. But little by little, he began to trust. The first time he ran freely – legs flying, ears flopping – it felt like he was truly experiencing joy for the first time in his life. Something in me healed, too.
While Arlo’s healing is still ongoing, the once-fearful dog now lives with a quiet confidence and so much love. He hikes off-leash with near-perfect recall, still sensitive to sounds but no longer ruled by fear. Still, I often wondered about his past. Was he a true beagle? Where did his parents come from? And what had he endured before rescue? That’s when I turned to Embark, a DNA testing kit for dogs that offers both genetic insights and a bridge to understanding.
Thanks to Embark’s Breed + Health Dog DNA Test, I was finally able to uncover Arlo’s origins – and better understand how to support his health and happiness moving forward.
The kit arrived with simple, step-by-step instructions (a relief for someone who usually skims those parts). I gently swabbed the inside of Arlo’s cheek to collect a saliva sample – much easier than any human COVID test! The swab went into a prepaid envelope, and within three weeks, Embark kept me updated every step of the way through its intuitive app.
When the results came back, I was stunned – Arlo is 100% beagle. I’d joked that his shorter legs and tiny frame (22 lbs!) meant he might have a dash of Dachshund in him. But no – he’s a purebred beagle through and through. Somehow, knowing that made him feel even more like Hunter’s legacy living on.
Embark screens for more than 270 genetic health risks – and goes beyond to explore traits, allergies, relatives and even personality insights that paint a full picture of your dog’s DNA story. What struck me most was how empowering the information felt – less fear, more understanding.
Arlo’s report showed he’s clear of 271 risks, but flagged a few beagle-specific tendencies, like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). It explained what to watch for – weight management, using a harness to reduce spine stress – and helped me adjust his lifestyle (especially since Arlo loves to leap off furniture like an acrobat).
Arlo has sensitive skin and often licks his paws, so learning that he’s more prone to environmental allergies was a breakthrough. Embark detailed exactly how these triggers appear (itchy ears, inflamed paws) and offered practical recommendations for care — from supplements to everyday routines. And because they really do think of everything, they even have their own Embark Allergy Supplement — all-natural soft chews that help soothe itching from seasonal allergies, keep skin moisturized, and maintain that shiny beagle coat.
The test broke down everything from coat pattern to body size and even eye color probability. (Turns out, just like me, he’s genetically unlikely to have blue eyes – which made me laugh at our matching brown-eyed bond.)
The app updates in real time, showing that Arlo is 4 years and 2 months old, and outlines the five stages of a dog’s life with insights on behavior, development, and care at each step.
Embark’s newest addition — the Personality Quiz — made the experience even richer. Through a quick series of behavioral questions about his energy, independence, and scent-driven curiosity, I could see how Arlo’s own mannerisms compared to the instincts found in Beagles. It was heartwarming to learn that his “toy obsession” and cautious nature aren’t quirks – they’re signatures of who he is. His personality profile also helped me understand the “why” behind his behavior. In many ways, it put words to feelings I already had about him and made me feel like I truly understand my dog.
The most emotional moment came when I explored Embark’s Relatives feature, which matches dogs by shared DNA. Among dozens of close genetic connections, one stood out:
Seeing her photo and learning she was also rescued from Envigo felt like the universe closing a circle. Two survivors, once separated by cruelty, now connected through science and compassion. I plan to reach out to her family soon, hoping for a reunion that brings Arlo’s story full circle – a moment we never could have imagined without Embark.
Beyond his mom, Embark also revealed more than a dozen close relatives — siblings and cousins with matching DNA profiles scattered across the country. I can’t wait to dig deeper into their stories and see how many share pieces of Arlo’s journey.
For rescue parents – especially those adopting dogs with uncertain histories – Embark is more than a DNA test. It’s a bridge between past and present. It offers knowledge, connection, and peace of mind, transforming curiosity into care.
For me, Embark didn’t just tell me that Arlo is 100% beagle.
It told me that he’s 100% home.
Founded by scientists and dog lovers, Embark is the world’s leading canine DNA company – using cutting-edge genetics to help pet parents understand their dogs on a deeper level. Through a simple at home saliva test, Embark tests for over 400+ breeds, screens for over 270+ , identifies 55 traits, and found the world’s first relative finder.
With Embark, every dog’s story comes full circle – one swab at a time.
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