From only £129 with results in 12 working days
If you have any doubts about the parentage of a litter, including the possibility that you may have a multiple sired litter, then a Dog Paternity Test can provide the answers you need.
Dog paternity testing is a very valuable tool, because it provides accurate breeding records. These records are a guarantee of the dog’s pedigree and ancestry and therefore enable breeders to offer purchasers DNA certified pedigrees, while building a sound reputation based on trust and credibility.
The Science Behind Dog Parentage Verification
Our Dog Paternity Test is a quick and easy way to accurately determine the parentage of a dog, by measuring DNA markers. Each dog has 2 alleles at each DNA marker (loci), one of which is inherited from the dam (mother) and the other from the sire (father). Our test uses a profile of 16 genetic markers, or loci, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to accurately determine parentage.
Testing of the sire, the dam, and the progeny (puppy) is included in the price of £129 and, when all three are tested, we can confirm parentage with a probability of more than 99.99%.
Additional sires or puppies can be tested for an extra £39 each.
You may know who the mother is, but it is important to include both parents, because this makes testing much more powerful and leads to more accurate results. The mother’s sample is used to eliminate her half of the DNA contribution, reducing the incidence of a sire being falsely confirmed as the biological father.
Extended testing is required for tests where the dam is missing or where the potential sires are closely related.
Dog Parentage Test Without the Mother
If the dam is not available, our Dog Paternity Test can still be carried out, but it requires extended testing, for which we test an additional 12 genetic markers. Please see our Dog Paternity Test without Mother for more information.
We may also recommend extended testing in cases where the sires are closely related, brothers for example, due to the similarity between their DNA profiles.
Please note that there are additional fees if extended testing is required. Please Contact Us if the possible sires are closely related so we can discuss the available options and costs.
How to Collect DNA Samples
The Dog Paternity Test uses simple and painless cheek swabs to collect a DNA sample. This can be safely obtained from dogs of any age, including new-born or nursing pups. If the puppies are nursing, please separate them from their mother for about an hour before collecting samples, to ensure they do not have milk in their mouth when you swab them.
It is important that all dogs to be tested do not eat or drink anything for an hour prior to taking the swabs, or have contact with any toys or bones used by other dogs, to reduce the chance of cross contamination.
To collect the sample, hold your dog’s head firmly in place and use the sterile mouth swabs provided by us. The kit also includes full instructions, along with registration forms for you to complete before returning the swabs to us for testing.
Dog Paternity Test Results
Once we have analysed the DNA profiles, an email will be sent to you, containing a parentage report, confirming the result for each puppy (and/or sire) that has been tested.
If the result in the report states that parentage qualifies, this means that both the father and mother matched the puppy at all 16 DNA markers.
If the result states that parentage does not qualify (inclusion of the dam but the sire is excluded), then the mother matched the puppy, but the sire does not, and is therefore not the father.
If you believe you may have a multiple sired litter and the sires are closely related, this is when we can use the additional 12 genetic markers to determine the true biological sire.
Registration of Dog DNA Test Results
The UK Kennel Club has confirmed that, from 1st August 2018, any DNA test result submitted for inclusion on its database must have at least two forms of identification on the result certificate.
It will be mandatory to include the dog’s microchip or tattoo number along with either the dog’s registered name or registered number. Any test results that do not carry these identifying features will not be accepted.
Other Dog DNA Tests from AffinityDNA
As well as Dog Paternity Testing, we also offer a range of inherited disease screening tests including:
- Degenerative Myelopathy Test (DM)
- Exercise Induced Collapse Testing (EIC)
- Hyperuricosuria DNA Test for Uric Acid
- Multidrug Resistance 1 MDR1 Test
- PRCD-pra Testing
- von Willebrand Disease DNA Testing
We also offer Dog Allergy Testing and a DNA breed test that includes information about the personality traits and predisposition to diseases for each breed found in your dog’s DNA.
If you have any questions about a Dog Paternity Test for your dog, please do not hesitate to Contact our Customer Service Team who will be happy to help you.