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Open Your Kit
Open your testing kit and locate the sterile cheek swab, sample tube, instructions, and prepaid return materials.
Most DogDNATest.ca kits are designed for at-home collection using a simple cheek swab, meaning Canadian owners don't need a vet visit to get started. The process takes under a minute, and every kit includes a prepaid return envelope for mailing your sample back to the lab, with no extra shipping cost.
Browse our featured breed, health, allergy, parentage, age, and wellness testing kits.
At-home collection is designed to be quick and comfortable for both you and your dog. Visit the dog DNA test features hub to compare the different insights available from each testing option.
Open your testing kit and locate the sterile cheek swab, sample tube, instructions, and prepaid return materials.
Gently rub the swab against the inside of your dog's cheek for approximately 30 seconds or for the time listed in your kit.
Place the collected swab inside the provided tube and seal it carefully according to the enclosed instructions.
Place the sealed sample in the included prepaid envelope and mail it back to the laboratory for processing.
Most kits include everything required to collect and return your dog's sample without scheduling a veterinary appointment.
The popular dog breed identification test uses an at-home sample to analyze ancestry across a 350+ breed database.
Following the kit instructions carefully reduces the chance of contamination or an insufficient sample.
Avoid swabbing immediately after your dog eats or drinks. Follow the waiting period provided with your kit.
Keep other dogs from licking your dog's mouth or the sample area before collection.
Rub the inside of the cheek for the full amount of time listed in your kit instructions.
Review the medical disclaimer for important information about interpreting testing and wellness results.
Once the laboratory receives your sample, processing begins. Most results are delivered through a secure online dashboard within the estimated testing window.
Check the current dog DNA test results timeline for more information about processing and notification.
Canadian owners can review the best dog DNA tests in Canada or browse independent dog DNA test reviews before choosing a kit.
Choose the test that matches your goal, collect your dog's sample at home, and return it using the prepaid domestic envelope included with your kit.
Find more answers about samples, orders, results, and testing in the complete dog DNA testing FAQ .
No, most tests use an at-home cheek swab. Only the full allergy panel requires a blood sample collected by a vet.
About 30 seconds to a minute per swab.
The lab will contact you to request a new sample if yours is insufficient.