Frequently Asked Questions

Having the mother’s DNA makes testing much more powerful. A sire may be falsely included if the mother’s sample is not used to eliminate her half of the DNA contribution.

Yes. When the mother is not available, extended testing can be done to determine proper parentage. Keep in mind this does increase each dog’s testing fee as well as turn-around time for results.

Our testing protocols are optimized for the buccal (cheek) swabs. Please contact us for details on other sample types (blood or semen) such as additional fees and turnaround times. We require prior notice when submitting these types of samples.

Yes. DNA is contained in both cheek and blood cells. With today’s advancements in technology, buccal (cheek) swabs are the preferred method and is performed by collecting DNA from skin cells inside the cheek. Cheek swabs are painless and non-invasive. There is no need to obtain blood to get an adequate sample of DNA.

Cheek samples can be obtained from dogs of any age, even newborn or nursing puppies. If pups are nursing, separate them from the mother for about 30-45 minutes (long enough that they do not have milk in their mouth when you go to swab them).

No. Cheek swabs are the preferred method and can even be collected on newborn pups. Cheek swabs are not a “hazardous material” and do not require any special shipping, handling, or permits.

The dog probably had food or debris in its mouth when you swabbed it. Let the dog drink some water and wait about 20 minutes. Then try re-swabbing the dog with new swabs.

We can use our database to retrieve the DNA-profile information for dogs we have tested. You can provide us with the DNA ID number for that previously- tested dog and we will include it in a new parentage evaluation. There is a $10 fee to include each previously-tested profile in a new parentage-evaluation case.

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to include a dog that belongs to someone else, we need written permission from that party via email stating you may do so. Not obtaining this permission before submitting samples will result in delayed testing.