FAQ
Questions, answered honestly.
What's actually in the kit, how the science works, and where we draw lines around your dog's data.
The kit & the swab
- What's in the box?
- A sealed sterile cheek swab, a stabilization tube, a prepaid return mailer, and a single-use activation card with your kit's barcode. Premium kraft packaging, entirely recyclable.
- How do I take the sample?
- Skip food for 30 minutes and water for 10 minutes beforehand. Then place the soft-tip swab in your dog's cheek pouch and let it soak up saliva for about 30 seconds, without scraping. Return it to the tube, seal it in the included biosafe bag, and pop everything into the prepaid mailer. The whole thing takes under two minutes once you start.
- Is the swab safe? Does it hurt?
- It's a soft-tip foam swab, gentle, painless, and lab-standard. There's no needle and no blood, just a short break from food and water beforehand. Most dogs treat it like a brief, slightly weird cuddle.
- How long does it take to get results?
- Results usually arrive within 4–6 weeks of posting your sample. Exact timing can vary a little. We'll email you when we receive your sample and again when your results are ready.
- What age does my dog need to be?
- Inherited DNA is present from birth. For puppies, we suggest waiting until fully weaned and following the collection instructions in your kit. Interpretations may evolve, and oral microbiome results describe the sample at the time it was collected.
The science
- How accurate is the breed read?
- We estimate your dog's breed mix by comparing their DNA with reference data. There isn't one universal accuracy number that applies to every company or every mixed-breed dog. Closely related breeds, small ancestry contributions, and limited reference data can be harder to separate, so we report estimated percentages rather than treating the result like a pedigree certificate. The underlying research is on The Science page.
- What's the inbreeding (COI) read?
- The report includes a genotype-based inbreeding estimate and a comparison with dogs in the reference panel. A lower inbreeding coefficient indicates greater diversity on this measure. The dashboard's genetic-diversity percentile runs the other way: higher means more diverse compared with the reference dogs. It doesn't tell you how closely related your dog's parents were, and it isn't a health score.
- Is this a diagnostic test?
- No. The current report does not include genetic disease-screening results. It covers estimated ancestry, trait predictions, genetic diversity and oral bacterial composition. It does not diagnose or rule out disease, and it does not replace veterinary care.
- Does my dog's result ever change?
- Your dog's inherited DNA does not change as they grow. Breed estimates or trait predictions can still be updated as reference data, panels, or models improve, so the report may evolve even though your dog's DNA has not. Oral microbiome results describe the submitted sample; the bacterial community can change over time.
Reports
- What do I actually get back?
- A digital report with six sections: estimated breed ancestry, coat colour, physical appearance, temperament and size predictions, genetic diversity, and oral microbiome. Results include plain-language explanations and limitations; some may be unavailable. Signed-in customers can ask Genie to explain their published report.
- What if my dog already has a condition?
- The report does not include genetic disease or health screening. It doesn't diagnose, monitor or treat any condition; that's your veterinarian's domain. The report is context about your dog's ancestry and traits, built to complement that relationship, not compete with it.
Privacy & data
- What happens to my dog's DNA sample?
- PuppyGenes uses a U.S. lab partner. We do not promise destruction of the physical sample on a fixed schedule, but you can ask us to forward a destruction request once processing is complete. We keep the report data needed to generate and update your results.
- Who processes the sample, and where does the data live?
- PuppyGenes uses a U.S. lab partner. The report data we receive is stored in our Canadian database and handled in line with PIPEDA.
- What do you do with my dog's genetic data?
- We may use de-identified or combined data that no longer identifies you, including genetic and report data, to improve our products, for research, and with business partners. We won't sell or share information that identifies you without your separate consent. We may disclose information where required by law. You can ask us to close your account and delete information we no longer need. Our Privacy Policy has the details.
- How do I delete my account and data?
- Email support@puppygenes.com from the address on your account. After we verify your request, we normally remove information we no longer need from active systems within 30 days. Some records may need to stay longer for legal reasons. Backup copies age out on their normal retention cycle.
Refunds & support
- What's your refund policy?
- Unused kits can be returned within 30 days after delivery, and opening the outer box to read the instructions is fine. Once the lab starts work, a change-of-mind refund is generally not available. If something is wrong with the product or service, your legal rights are unaffected. See our Refund Policy for details.
- I have a question that's not here.
- Write to support@puppygenes.com. A real person reads every email and gets back to you.
Still have questions?
A real person reads every email. Or jump straight to the science.