How to Know If Your NAID Has Wolf Content: Understanding Genetic Testing
April 22, 2025
Is My NAID a Wolfdog? It Depends on the Test You Use.
There’s a lot of confusion in the NAID world about wolf content. You might hear people say,
“My NAID tested 20% wolf!” Or, “Embark said my dog has gray wolf ancestry!”
But here’s the truth:
Just because your dog’s DNA test says “wolf” doesn’t mean there’s recent wolf in the bloodline. It all comes down to which test you use—and how well you understand what the results really mean.
Let’s break it down.
🧬 Embark vs UC Davis: Two Very Different Tools
Feature
Embark
UC Davis Canid Hybrid Test
Type
Breed & trait analyzer using population averages
Scientific test for hybridization
Reports “wolf” content
Frequently, due to ancestral overlap
Only if recent wolf DNA is present
Used for legal purposes?
No
Yes (used in court proceedings and state legislation)
NAIDs often test positive for wolf content?
Yes, often in the 10–30% range
No—tests negative for recent wolf DNA
Why Embark Reports “Wolf” in So Many Dogs
Embark uses a reference panel of modern dog breeds and gray wolves. When a breed doesn’t fit the panel well (like NAIDs, Tamaskans, etc.), Embark often matches leftover sequences to the “closest available”—which is frequently gray wolf.
This creates the illusion of wolf ancestry where there is none.
Embark’s own website states that their test is not intended to determine hybrid status.
UC Davis: The Only Test That Matters for Legal Classification
If you live in a state where wolfdogs are banned (like Georgia, Rhode Island, or Illinois), the UC Davis test is what law enforcement uses. It looks at hybrid markers, not breed overlaps. It can distinguish between recent wolf content and distant ancestral DNA.
NAIDPP uses UC Davis to verify the breeding dogs in our program. The result? 100% of our tested dogs are confirmed not wolfdogs.
What About Other Tests Like Know Your Pet DNA?
The Ancestry Know Your Pet DNA test is used in partnership with NAIDPP to help define the NAID as a genetically distinct breed. It doesn’t show wolf content, but confirms breed consistency and identifies crossbreeds.
This test is especially useful to:
Confirm whether a dog marketed as a “NAID” actually fits the NAID profile
Rule out wolfdog crosses
Track lineages and increase line purity
If Your Dog Tested Positive for Wolf Content…What Now?
Here’s what to do:
Don’t panic. Embark often shows this—even in purebred dogs with no wolf history.
Request a UC Davis test. This is the scientific, court-admissible test for hybrid content.
Get a second opinion from a preservation breeder. A trained eye + pedigree knowledge can go a long way.
Final Thoughts
In the world of rare and primitive breeds like the NAID, genetic testing isn’t just a curiosity—it’s a responsibility. Knowing what tools to trust, how to read the data, and when to challenge false positives can protect your dog, your rights, and the breed as a whole.
The NAID is not a wolfdog. But if you want the truth, you have to test for it the right way.
