Questions?

Does DNA collection hurt my pet?
The DNA collection process is painless. The sterile polyester tipped swab minimizes any chance for infection or irritation.

Can I collect the DNA for the test myself?
Yes, the collection process for the these DNA tests is very simple and can be performed at home by following the enclosed instructions. Most dogs don’t object to having someone swab their cheek.

How does the DNA test determine which breeds are present in my dog?
Our lab has spent a considerable amount of time analyzing DNA from purebred dogs to build a comprehensive database that highlights the differences between various breeds. By comparing your dog’s DNA with our database, we can identify which breeds are present in your dog.

What is included in the test results for the basic DNA breed identification test? Our basic test provides an Ancestry Analysis Certificate identifying the breeds present in your dog. Also included is a behavior, potential health risks and personality profile report for the breed traits associated with the breeds found in your dog’s genes.

What is the Ancestry Analysis Certificate?
The results of the DNA analysis are printed on a certificate that is suitable for framing. These results will identify the breeds present in your dog’s ancestry.

How many dog breeds are in your DNA database? Approximately 92% of the mixed breed population is covered by our validated breed database of 62 identified breeds for the BioPet test. The Mars Breed Insights test covers 170 breeds. If you’d like to test to see if a specific breed is found in your dog’s gene’s, please check with us to confirm that the breed you’re interested in is in our breed database.

Is this test accurate?
Yes, our test is 99.5% accurate and even breaks down the breed composition of your dog by approximate percentage.

How long does testing DNA take?
Normally, we ship the test results to you in 2-3 weeks from the time we receive your dog’s sample.

Are you open to us reselling your test kits?
Yes, we are actively seeking vet clinics, distributors, and animal shelters to resell the Breed Identification test kits.

Can your test detect wolf genes in my dog?
We are currently working on a test that will determine the presence of wolf genes in a dog.  We also hope to have a similar test for Coyotes in the near future. We expect to have this test available in September of this year.  See the DNA Guru blog on wolf hybrids for more information.

What information do you provide about breed-related health problems?
Many genetic diseases are rare and complex, with some diseases requiring multiple ancestors to pass on particular genes to cause disease. Other diseases are simply related to a single ancestor in a dog’s breed makeup. Learning more about the history of breeds and any possible breed-related disorders can help you and your veterinarian develop a custom health and wellness plan for your dog. For more insight into genetic issues that may affect particular breeds, we suggest you visit the Canine Inherited Disorders Database, a joint initiative of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

What are the differences between the BioPet and the Mars DNA Breed tests?
Both of the tests are designed to help you determine the breeds present in your mixed breed dog but the tests and labs that perform them are somewhat different.

1. Both tests utilize a saliva sample. For this you simply use the enclosed swab and swab the inside of your dog’s cheek.
2. The Mars test uses a database comprised of the genetic profiles of 170 breeds while the BioPet test relies on a genetic database of 63 breeds.
3. Relatively speaking, the BioPet test covers approximately 92% of the dog population in the US, while the advance test covers roughly 98% of the breeds found in US dogs.
4. We believe the accuracy and integrity of both tests represent best practices. The larger database used in the Mars test is more likely to result in a more detailed analysis of your dog’s breed composition.
5. Slightly different methodology and analysis tools mean slightly different reports of test results. The Mars test may offer more insight as to the genetic make up of the prior generations’ breeds. The BioPet test offers a more precise percentage reporting of the breeds found in the dog.
6. If you believe your dog is made up of popular breeds, the BioPet test is a better value.
7. If learning about all of the breeds, even obscure breeds, in your dog is important to you, then the Mars test is probably a better solution.
8. If you’re concerned about checking your dog to see if its part Pit Bull, then the Mars test is a better choice. In the coming months, we’ll be announcing a new DNA test that will be designed specifically to determine whether a dog is a “bully” breed. This new test is designed primarily for animal shelters and will be offered as an inexpensive test that can be done cost-effectively by shelters who need to determine if their dogs fall into this breed group.