01
Stay in our lane.
We explain estimated ancestry, trait predictions, genetic diversity and oral bacterial composition. The current report does not include genetic disease or health screening and does not replace veterinary care.
About
Every wag, lovingly understood.
We're a Canadian dog-DNA company, exploring ancestry, appearance and genetic diversity from a single cheek swab, for the dog who sleeps at the foot of your bed.
Why we exist
Dogs are family. Their care should reflect that.
For a long time, the gap between how much we love our dogs and how much we actually know about them has been bigger than it should be. We can estimate our own ancestry and genetic makeup in remarkable detail, yet most dog parents are still guessing at their dog's breeds from the shape of their ears.
The science quietly caught up. Decades of canine genomics, mapping hundreds of breeds into distinct genetic signatures, mean a single cheek swab can now read a dog's estimated ancestry, predicted coat and body features, and genetic diversity.
We built PuppyGenes to bring that work to your doorstep, in a kit your dog can actually handle and a report you'll actually want to read.
The thesis
Know the dog you actually have.
Estimated ancestry, genetic clues to appearance, and reference comparisons, explained alongside the uncertainty that comes with each result.
How we work
Six things we promised ourselves we'd hold.
02
Stand on real science.
Our scientific explanations draw from canine-genomics research, including Parker et al. (Cell Reports, 2017). We link to the sources on the Science page and distinguish research findings from what the current report can tell you.
03
How we handle your dog's data.
PuppyGenes uses a U.S. lab partner. We don't hold the physical sample after it goes to the lab, and we don't promise destruction on a set schedule. Once processing is complete, you can ask us to forward a destruction request. The report data we receive lives in our Canadian database and is handled in line with PIPEDA. We may use de-identified data that no longer identifies you for research, product development and with business partners, as our Privacy Policy explains. We won't sell or share information that identifies you without your separate consent.
04
Make the report worth reading.
A test report you don't open is a test report that didn't help your dog. We write every section like a love letter from the lab, substantive enough to matter, warm enough to actually read on a Sunday morning.
05
Be Canadian about it.
PuppyGenes is a Canadian company. PuppyGenes uses a U.S. lab partner. The report data we receive lives in our Canadian database and is handled in line with PIPEDA. We state that cross-border relationship plainly.
06
Talk to humans, not customers.
Emails get a real reply from a real person who's read the underlying report. No phone trees or retention scripts.
Behind PuppyGenes
A small, founder-led Canadian business built for dog people.
PuppyGenes is a small, founder-led Canadian business. We're passionate about bringing modern genetic tools to dog owners in a way that feels clear, useful, and human. PuppyGenes uses a U.S. lab partner.
None of the underlying science is ours. We're building the bridge between decades of peer-reviewed canine genomics and a clear, plain-language report that helps you understand your dog's results and their limitations. Research citations live on our Science page.
Get in touch
We read every email, and we answer.
Questions, feedback, recommendations on what to build next, we read everything. If something on a report didn't make sense, or you want to talk about a specific question, write to us. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
support@puppygenes.comPress, partnerships, science
For media inquiries, retail or veterinary partnership conversations, or research collaborations, write to support@puppygenes.com with “partnership” in the subject line and we'll route from there.
Ready to meet the dog in your dog?
A simple cheek swab at home, and a clear, six-section report on your dog's estimated ancestry, traits, genetic diversity and oral microbiome.