DNA Parentage Verification
Dogs Victoria have introduced mandatory parentage verification for all litters whelped from 1 January 2026.
Given this is a significant change, Dogs Victoria is looking at ways to make the introduction of mandatory DNA parentage verification as seamless as possible.
To facilitate this new requirement and keep members informed, this page provides fact sheets to help answer your questions, links to preferred suppliers, and information about DNA Parentage testing.
HAVE YOUR BREEDING ANIMALS’ DNA PROFILES DONE IN ADVANCE
Although we understand that many of our breeder members may have already had DNA Profiles recorded for their adult animals, we are encouraging all breeders that are planning a litter to have their breeding stock’s DNA Profile testing done well ahead of time.
Remember: If you have collected semen from any of your males, they will also need to have a DNA Profile on record at the time the semen is used – so don’t forget to make sure you have a DNA Profile recorded for them too!
WHEN CAN SAMPLES BE COLLECTED FROM MY PUPPIES FOR PARENTAGE VERIFICATION?
Your puppies must be microchipped before samples can be collected by an independent, trained collector or veterinarian.
Puppies can be microchipped younger than 6 weeks of age with the agreement of your veterinarian.
Prior to litter registration all puppies must have a DNA profile so that the DNA profile of the parents can be compared with the DNA profiles of the puppies to verify that the listed parents are the sire and dam of each puppy.
For Orivet clients - order a DNA profile for each puppy and then submit a parentage verification request through your online account. Detailed instructions are available in files further down this page.
WHO CAN COLLECT A DNA SAMPLE?
The Dogs Australia DNA Protocol states that samples must be collected by an independent, trained collector, and the animal must be positively identified at the time of sampling.
All registered Veterinarians are approved collectors, and there are many trained non-vet collectors that are approved by the various DNA Laboratories.
Click here to view the list of approved DNA sample collectors. (Updated 25 August 2026)
For a full list of Orivet Approved Collectors who are also able to take your Orivet DNA samples for DNA Parentage testing
Please visit the Orivet website https://www.orivet.com/resources/collection-agents
The need for an independent collector means that an Owner or Breeder cannot collect samples from their own animals, even if they are a veterinarian or Approved Collector.
Please DO NOT contact DNA Collectors outside the hours of 8am-8.30pm (phone calls or SMS) without the permission of the Collector.
TESTING DAYS
The Dogs Victoria Breeder, Health and Education Sub-Committee will be organising a number of ‘collection days’ at KCC Park, Bulla and some of our larger regional shows.
Several approved collectors will be available on these days to enable sample collection (for any DNA provider) at no cost, and members will be able to have DNA related questions answered. You will need to bring your DNA Testing Kit and paperwork on the day – along with your dog!
If having your samples collected at a show or event does not suit, you can choose to have samples collected when your breeding animals are next at the vets or tee up a time with one of your DNA provider’s approved collectors.
NEED TO ORDER TEST KITS?
We understand that having DNA parentage verification done will add to the costs of having a litter, so our priority has been to negotiate member only pricing with our preferred suppliers.
The preferred supplier model will allow members to access reduced testing rates for both DNA profiles (used for parentage verification) AND full breed (health testing) panels offered by Orivet and InfogeneNZ.
To access the member-only pricing:
Access Member Preferred pricing here:
https://infogenenz.co.nz/products/dogs-victoria
Step by Step Guide to DNA Parentage Verification - InfogeneNZ
Access Member Preferred Pricing by adding your Dogs Victoria Member Number to your Orivet Breeder Account.
Already have an Orivet Account?
Your member number will need to be manually added by Orivet.
For instructions, please click here
Step by Step Guide to DNA Parentage Verification - Orivet
Orivet – from DNA Profile to Litter Registration
WANT TO LEARN MORE - READ OUR FACT SHEETS
What is DNA Parentage Testing?
Collecting a Sample for DNA Testing
Dogs Australia DNA Collecting Protocol
Dogs Victoria Regulations Part 4 Regulations – 4.1.3 Registers and Registrations
DNA Testing for Breeders
DNA testing for Frozen Semen Litters
Registering your litter
Information for Veterinarians
WHY ARE DOGS VICTORIA INTRODUCING MANDATORY DNA PARENTAGE VERIFICATION?
The goal of introducing DNA parentage verification (often called parentage assurance) is to promote increased confidence in pedigree, purebred dogs and to support the reduction and elimination of breed specific health conditions in all our registered breeds.
Across the world, there are now a wide range of pedigree registries and bodies that have implemented pedigree assurance as part of their registration requirements. With pedigree assurance, purchasers can have confidence that they are getting what they have paid for, and breeders can address hereditary conditions within a population with more confidence.
Experience across registries who have introduced a parentage verification requirement has shown an initial ‘error rate’ of up to 10% (some even higher). That translates to one in every ten animals registered not having the correct sire or dam listed on their pedigree.
Most of these errors have been found not to be deliberate falsification, rather the breeder has been unaware that another male has had access to their female during their fertile period. However, the repercussions of pedigree errors can impact generations of animals and entire bloodlines and makes addressing breed specific health problems difficult.
GOT A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED ON THIS PAGE?
Please contact us at dnadogsvic@dogsvictoria.org.au
@dogsvic
