How Much Does a Dog DNA Test Cost?

A dog DNA test can be used to determine the heritage of the dog and to find possible illnesses in the pet's genes, before the illnesses are active. If you are considering a DNA test for your pet, you may want to know about the costs involved.

Dog DNA Test

Dogs inherit genes from their parents and this process is random, as genes from one or the other parent may be more dominant. The dog DNA test can be used to establish the breed of the dog and to find the breeds of the parents, if these are not identified. DNA tests may be required at dog shows, because the test will confirm whether the dog is purebred or not. For instance, the American Kennel Club requires a DNA test. The DNA test can also be used when determining the parentage of a puppy, provided the DNA samples of the parents are available for comparison.

Average Costs

The average costs of a dog DNA test are between $40 and $100. These are the fees charged if the DNA test is performed at a vet clinic. There are also DNA test kits for at home use, which can cost between $35 and $70, but some shipping fees will be extra. The costs of the canine DNA tests may vary according to a number of factors such as:

• The technique used to determine dog DNA (blood sample or cheek swab)
• The geographical location of the vet clinic, because there are certain areas where the test is only performed in a number of clinics, so the test may be more expensive
• The fees of the vet

The costs will include taking the DNA sample and the results. You will have to pay even if you don't get definite results regarding the breed or the heritage of the pet. Not all vet clinics perform DNA tests, so talk to your vet if you are considering this test. However, the canine DNA test kits are available online.

How Is the Test Performed?

The DNA test will require a blood sample, but more specialized tests will only require a swab, which can be obtained from the dog's mouth. The blood or the swab is tested in the lab and the results can be obtained in a few weeks.

Effectiveness of DNA Test

The DNA test performed at a vet clinic can be more than 90 percent accurate in determining the heritage of the dog. However, if the dog is not of an identifiable breed (there are more than 100 identifiable breeds to date) the test may only give a relative response.

However, when the test is performed to detect whether the dog is prone to certain diseases that may be present in his genes, the tests may not be as accurate.