FAQ - DNA Collection

Why DNA?

DNA testing has become the 'gold standard' for determining an individual's genetic disease status, and for confirming parentage.

The use of DNA testing is now one of the most common testing techniques used in dog breeding, providing Breeders with important information that can help them prevent significant health issues that may be present within their chosen breed, or for ensuring that the pedigree's they are basing their breeding program decisions on are correct.

Because an individual's DNA is constant throughout life, DNA tests can be used at a very young age and the result will not change over time.

How are samples collected and tested?

In most cases, sampling involves collecting a small number of cells from the lining of the mouth – called a 'cheek swab' – however DNA can be collected from a blood sample, or even from reproductive material (i.e. semen).

Depending on the testing required, samples may be processed here in Australia, or may need to be sent to a specific overseas laboratory.  DNA laboratories use special 'markers' along the DNA strand to determine whether animals are likely to be related to each other, or whether or not they carry the genetic 'potential' to a certain disease.

Different laboratories may use different tests or different markers to do the same testing. When completing DNA profiles for parentage verification it is best to use the same laboratory for the parents and puppies if possible to ensure the markers used are compatible.

There are some situations where DNA profiles from one laboratory may be able to be used by another laboratory but ONLY if all samples have been collected by an approved, independent collector or veterinarian and you will need to have this included on the report or a supporting letter from the veterinarian who collected the samples – details of the dog and scanned microchip number will need to be included in the letter.

The following information has been collected from direct contact with InfogeneNZ and Orivet and is valid at 4/2/2026.

With technology and protocols improving all the time there are some situations where you may be able to use the DNA Profile of the sire/dam created by another provider when submitting samples for a litter of puppies for parentage verification as detailed below:

Information from INFOGENENZ(Massey):

We can accept the Orivet profile(or other Provider) if it is the full ISAG profile in Excel or CSV format as we can then load it into the database. Some older profiles or profiles from some providers may not be in the required format.

When submitting the full ISAG Orivet report to InfogeneNZ for parentage verification you will need to submit both the original DNA profile results report and the Excel Report.

If the profile is not in the required form, then a new DNA sample will be required, which InfogeneNZ will be happy to test at no cost.

If you have further questions about using other DNA Profiles with InfogeneNZ please contact: office@infogenenz.co.nz

Information from ORIVET:

If the DNA Profile was completed at another lab, we can use it for parentage as long as it is an ISAG 2020 SNP Profile.  If the profile is based on microsatellites, we’re unable to use those markers, and a new sample will need to be submitted if parentage needs to be confirmed.  We do not charge to create a DNA Profile for any dog that already has a valid SNP profile from another lab. 

If you have further questions about using other DNA Profiles with Orivet please contact: help@orivet.com

 

Making Sure the Results are Valid

There are collection and identification protocols that Dogs Australia has outlined to ensure that test results are ‘accurate and credible’. 

1. DNA sample collection MUST be done by approved, independent, trained collectors

• This means that Owners or Breeder CANNOT collect samples from their own dogs – even if they are an 'Approved Collector'
• 'Approved Collectors' include Registered Veterinarians, and trained collectors accepted by Dogs Victoria or listed by the DNA Laboratory as Approved Collectors.

2. The animal must be positively identified AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION

• This means that the Collector MUST scan the animal's microchip and record the number against the sample on the collection form
• Alternatively, in breeds with a recognised Australia-wide based tattoo system (such as German Shepherd Dogs), the tattoo must be positively identified and recorded against the sample
  
  

Results from tests that do not meet these two criteria are NOT considered valid by Dogs Australia, or Dogs Victoria.

Can Dogs Victoria insist on DNA testing?

What are the Dogs Victoria requirements for DNA Parentage Testing for Litter Registration?

Dogs Victoria Regulations:

4.1.3.1.6 Applications for registration of litters whelped on or after 1 January 2026 will not be processed until Dogs Victoria has received a DNA Parentage Verification Report that qualifies the puppies as being from the Sire and Dam. This requirement applies to registration applications on both the Main and Limited Registers. (15/04/25)

 4.1.3.1.7 The breeder of a litter must ensure that either DNA profiles for both the Sire and Dam are available at the time of mating, or that DNA samples are collected from each parent and submitted for testing no later than the time at which DNA samples from the puppies in that litter are submitted for testing. (15/04/25)

 4.1.3.1.8 In line with the Dogs Australia protocols for DNA testing, DNA sample collection for the purposes of parentage verification must be performed by an approved, independent collector. Identification of the dog by microchip or unique tattoo is required and it must be verified by the approved collector at the time of DNA collection and recorded on the appropriate form. (15/04/25)

Steps to DNA Profiling for Litter Registration in Victoria.

1. When choosing the sire of your litter it is important to discuss DNA profiles with the stud dog owner. Both sire and dam should be DNA profiled with the same provider (eg Orivet or InfogeneNZ) as different providers can use different markers to create the DNA profile that may not be compatible. You will also need to use the same provider when you submit DNA samples from the puppies for profiling.
2. With technology and protocols improving all the time there are some situations where you may be able to use the DNA Profile of the sire/dam created by another provider when submitting samples for a litter of puppies for parentage verification and the provider can upload the sire/dam’s previous DNA profile as detailed above in the “How are samples collected and tested” section. All samples MUST have been collected by an approved, independent, trained collector.
3. You can order swabs for the puppies and/or parents online at your chosen provider’s website.

Orivet – make a profile and ensure you include your Dogs Victoria membership number to obtain the discounted price.

InfogeneNZ – order your tests by using the Dogs Victoria logo portal on the InfogeneNZ(Massey) website to obtain the discounted price.

4. All DNA for profiles for litter registration (parents and puppies) must be collected by an Independent, Approved Collector – you cannot collect your own samples. All Veterinarians are Approved Collectors.

If you are using providers other than Orivet/InfogeneNZ – ensure you get a letter from your Veterinarian at the time of sample collection confirming that samples were collected by the Veterinarian and details of the dogs collected including microchip numbers that were scanned to fulfill the Dogs Australia requirement for sample collection. Orivet and InfogeneNZ include this information on their collection paperwork.

5. Puppies must be microchipped prior to collecting swabs from them for DNA profiles. Some breeders are choosing to microchip their puppies at 4 weeks of age in consultation with their Veterinarian.
6. When ordering puppy DNA profiles you will also need to request parentage verification certificates for each puppy from your provider. Parentage verification will need to be carried out by the same provider that has performed the DNA profiles on the sire and dam.
7. Parentage verification certificates for the puppies and DNA profiles for the parents will need to be submitted with your litter registration application. Approved Collection forms/letters for providers other than Orivet and InfogeneNZ(Massey) will also need to be submitted.

 

For further information on DNA Parentage Verification including links to lists of approved collectors and Fact Sheets refer to:

https://dogsvictoria.org.au/breeders/dna-parentage-verification/

 

HAVE YOU GOT A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED BY THIS INFORMATION?

Please contact us at  dnadogsvic@dogsvictoria.org.au

 

 

Where can I learn more about DNA testing?

You can learn more about the DNA sampling and testing process by visiting the various DNA Laboratory websites - examples include Orivet, or InfogeneNZ 

In most cases, the laboratory will provide a 'kit' containing swabs, paperwork and tamper proof packaging for the sample to be returned in. 

There will also be information on how to prepare your dogs for sampling, and some websites even have short videos of the sampling process (such as this one from InfogeneNZ) so you can know what to expect.