About
We're a Canadian dog-DNA company, reading breed, genetic health, and lineage from a single cheek swab, for the dog who sleeps at the foot of your bed.
Why we exist
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 ancestry, the health markers they carry, and how diverse their lineage is.
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.
The breeds behind them, the genetic tendencies they carry, and how their family tree is woven, so your care fits the dog in front of you, not a generic breed average.
How we work
We don't diagnose. We don't replace your veterinarian. Every report we ship is a wellness read, genetic signals translated into breed context, wellness markers, and everyday care guidance that helps you understand your dog more clearly.
Our scientific explanations draw from peer-reviewed canine breed-genomics and genetic-health research, including Parker et al. (Cell Reports, 2017). We cite the core sources openly on the Science page so you can read the originals yourself.
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 do not currently sell personal information or individual-level dog-genetic data. External research sharing requires your separate opt-in.
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.
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.
Emails get a real reply from a real person who's read the underlying report. No phone trees or retention scripts.
Behind PuppyGenes
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, the breed-mapping and genetic-health literature, and a clear, plain-language report your dog's care can actually act on. Full citations live on our Science page.
Get in touch
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.
A simple cheek swab at home, and a clear read on your dog's breed, genetic health, and lineage.