Not to worry! Transit times vary throughout the year due to several factors (e.g., holidays, weather, natural disasters) and may take anywhere from 5-10 business days. When samples arrive at our lab, we check them in individually to avoid contamination or mix-ups. Once we begin processing your sample, the status will change to "Sample Received," and you will be alerted via email. If you would like to track your sample while it's in transit to our lab, please note the USPS tracking number on your kit’s prepaid shipping label before putting it in the mail.

Weather is unlikely to impact sample quality. Cheek cell samples are a very stable way to collect DNA for testing, and they can withstand normal ambient temperature changes.

You can track the progress of your sample online by signing into your account.

The swab will only become contaminated if it comes into contact with other dogs, people, or dirty surfaces. So, you should dry the swab with the bristles in the air (not touching any surface). Both swabs should be air-dried for at least five minutes and then reinserted into the protective
sleeve, ensuring the bristles are completely covered. (Very important: do not reseal the sleeve, as this can promote bacteria/fungus growth.) Ship the samples at your earliest convenience, and rest assured that they will not be affected by extremes in temperature.

Yes, we accept purified archived DNA and frozen semen for deceased dogs. (A minimum of 50 microliters is required for semen samples, so used semen straws do not provide adequate DNA.) Special shipping requirements and charges apply for non-traditional samples, and no refunds are provided in the event of sample failure. Please contact our customer service team for details at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

Our lab in Scotland will accept buccal swabs or whole blood (1-2mL fresh, whole (unclotted) blood in an EDTA-top tube) but special shipping may be required for blood. Please contact our customer service team for details at breeder@wisdompanel.com

The sample ID is located on the short side of your MyDogDNA™ kit.

On older versions of the kit, it may be located elsewhere. If you have a legacy kit, please contact customer service at breeder@wisdompanel.com or 855-619-1884.

While we understand this will be an inconvenience to some, in order to maintain the integrity of the report and its contents, we need to put a level of security behind the edibility of the name/sex. If you need to make a change to the name or sex please reach out to our team at breeder@wisdompanel.com with the requested change and any supporting documentation you may have so that we may verify the information and make the change on your behalf. 

Yes. We will continue to honour existing discounts for clubs that use Optimal Selection or MyDogDNA. Multi-kit discounts are available for all breed product purchases of four (4) kits or more. Larger discounts are available for purchases of 20 kits or more. To order, please contact our Breeder Customer Support Team at breeder@wisdomhealth.com for details and pricing.

We have a strict privacy policy that requires written consent from the pet owner (assigned during kit activation) before we may share any information about a specific test with someone who is not on the account. For this reason, reports are emailed only to the email address on file, and we can’t accept changes to account information unless requested by the listed owner.

DNA profiling is €45 as an upgrade, or purchased as a bundle for €149.00.

Not necessarily. Dogs tested after Jan 1, 2021 are eligible for upgrade. Older tests lack the necessary markers to be compatible with the current ISAG 2020 testing panel. An upgrade option will appear under the Reports tab as “Unlock DNA Profiling” if your dog is eligible.

Log in to your account at https://www.wisdompanel.com/app/ and click on the dog you wish to upgrade. Under the “Reports” tab, if your dog is eligible for an upgrade without retesting and does not already have a current DNA profile with Wisdom, an “Unlock DNA Profiling” section will appear with instructions to upgrade. Wisdom Panel™ ancestry tests are not eligible for DNA profiling at this time.

Dogs must be tested with Optimal Selection™ or MyDogDNA™ after Jan 1, 2021 to be eligible to upgrade to DNA profiling. Upgrade instructions will appear under the “Reports” tab. Wisdom Panel™ ancestry tests are not eligible for DNA profiling at this time.

We are working on a solution for those who chose the wrong test type to convert to a Wisdom breeder test type for DNA profiling, but it is not available at this time.

DNA profiling is available exclusively for Wisdom breeder test types (Optimal Selection™ or MyDogDNA™).

Wisdom is proud to use the most advanced internationally recognised profiling and parentage panel recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), ISAG 2020, which utilises 2 panels of 232 SNP markers total. ISAG is the animal genetics governing body responsible for standardisation of domestic animal DNA profiling and parentage.

Wisdom takes pride in the accuracy and repeatability of our results. Wisdom breeder DNA profiling utilizes the ISAG 2020 panel, the newest profiling and parentage panel recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). We consistently receive top-of-class genotyping accuracy rank when our performance is tested by ISAG.

Yes. Wisdom geneticists are members of ISAG and helped develop and validate the newest internationally-recognised panel currently recommended by ISAG, ISAG 2020. We consistently receive top-of-class genotyping accuracy rank when our performance is tested by ISAG.

Our profiles are compatible with testing labs using ISAG 2020, the newest SNP panel recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics.

AKC does not use an ISAG approved panel and does not accept any DNA profiles not processed by them on their proprietary profiling panel.

Registries vary in their requirements, so please check with them. Ask if ISAG 2020 profiling is accepted, and if there are any requirements for sample collection, such as veterinary verified collection and chain of custody for the sample which must be followed for results to be recognised.

Yes, DNA profile samples collected during pregnancy are accurate as the amount of circulating fetal DNA present in a blood sample is negligible, and not present for cheek swab samples.

Cheek swab (buccal mucosal) samples and whole EDTA blood are considered standard sample types for DNA profiling. Non-traditional samples such as semen, solid tissue (dewclaws, skin samples), and other soft tissue samples can be submitted. Requirements are minimum 50 microliters semen (used semen straw does not provide adequate DNA, must be unused straw/pellet), and frozen, not fixed, approximately sugar cube size soft tissue samples. Please contact us in advance for arrangements. Special shipping requirements and charges apply for non-traditional samples, and no refunds are provided in the event of sample failure. Please contact our customer service team for details at breeder@wisdompanel.com

DNA profiling if ordered with your Optimal Selection or MyDogDNA kit should be available in 2-3 weeks after receipt at the laboratory. You should get an email notification when your sample has arrived at the lab, and again when results are ready. You can also log into your account to check the status and view the DNA profile certificate when completed.

Please note—due to the digital nature of our product your results will be available in your online account only. No physical report will be mailed.

The most common cause for discrepancies between parents and offspring tested with us is that they were analyzed on different versions of our tests, such that the sire or dam were screened for a slightly different set of disorders or traits compared to the offspring. Looking closely at all results will generally indicate if the test(s) in question were actually performed for both parent and offspring. Another common cause is that the sample was mislabeled before submission—usually when more than one dog’s sample was collected at the same time. Genetic results are rarely inconsistent due to pedigree errors or true laboratory errors, but if you have concerns, we encourage you to purchase parentage and profiling for the dog(s) in question. We care deeply about the accuracy and quality of our results. If you have a concern, please contact us at breeder@wisdompanel.com. Our specialists will review the data and recommend an appropriate course of action.

To confirm that the same test was actually performed at both labs, we first recommend a close comparison with help from the testing laboratories. At this time, there are limited national or international standards for veterinary genetic testing. So, test nomenclature, type, quality, reproducibility, and procedure varies from laboratory to laboratory. Wisdom Panel follows recommended best practices, has been offering veterinary genetic testing for over 15 years, and has built a reputation for high testing standards to mitigate risk of error. We care deeply about the accuracy and quality of our results. If you have a concern, our specialists will review the data and recommend an appropriate course of action. Wisdom Panel cannot vouch for the accuracy of other laboratory results but will provide counsel to owners based on the information available.

Breed-specific tests may change with testing panel updates, which occur on a regular basis. Rarely, testing panel updates may cause a particular test to fail our rigorous reporting quality standards. And new research sometimes suggests additional discovery work is necessary before reporting on a particular gene variant. In such cases, we may remove a disorder from our test offerings for a time.

No. Although mutations can occur within individual cells throughout life, a dog’s DNA does not change with age. Some specific tests may be added or removed as technology changes.

Bringing research to publication can take several years depending on the nature of the disorder or gene variant under study. The Wisdom Panel team partners with many veterinary research groups to accelerate research on behalf of dogs. In cases where the pre-publication data strongly suggest association with a disorder or trait—or when a partnering breed group indicates high interest in a genetic test (and understands potential limitations)—we may choose to provide pre-publication testing information early to breeders to inform breeding decisions. When we do this, we provide as much information as we can about the gene variant. We also share what we do not know so that the result’s significance may be interpreted properly. We encourage our research partners to publish their findings—and we do the same ourselves—so that the breeder and research communities can benefit.

On Nov 2nd, 2023 we added 4 important tests for the Dobermann Pinscher to our canine breeder products. DCM 1, DCM 2, DCM 3, and DCM 4. For more information about these tests, please see our blog post.  At this time we have made the decision to report DCM 1-4 only if the dog is of Dobermann Pinscher ancestry. The reason for this is that while these markers may show up in other breeds, the affect on DCM risk has only been established in the Dobermann Pinscher at this time.

In short, the development of protein losing nephropathy is complex and additional research is needed to understand the various factors involved. 

Although it is not fully conclusive, scientific evidence suggests the PLN NPHS1 gene variant has a complex mode of inheritance which is thought to most closely follow an autosomal recessive pattern with partial penetrance, making dogs with one copy at some level of an increased risk and dogs with two copies at a higher risk of being diagnosed with this condition during their lifetime. And, while there is scientific evidence to suggest one copy of the PLN variant may increase the risk of a dog developing this condition, the risk level has not been fully determined. This is because PLN has a complex background and several different genes and environmental factors are likely to contribute to the onset of symptoms. 

Therefore, the PLN NPHS1 variant’s mode of inheritance will report as autosomal recessive within Optimal Selection results. However, the disorder page content will clearly reflect the complex nature involved in the development of this condition regarding dogs who inherit 1 or 2 copies of this particular gene variant. 

The three separate variants, A, B, and C, in combination, influence the risk of developing DMS in Collies and Shelties. Optimal Selection tests include the A and B variants, which are key for determining risk. Research has shown that 97% of clinically affected Shelties and Collies have at least one copy of variant A (also known as A locus or PAN2), and 88% of affected Shelties and 39% of affected Collies have at least one copy of variant B (also known as B locus or MAP3K7CL).

While risk variant C does have an influence on DMS risk, the main drivers of risk are the A and B variants. As defined by the original research, a dog with two copies of the risk variant C can be found in all risk categories, whereas dogs with two copies of risk variants A and B are considered high risk. In addition, risk variant C (also known as C locus or variant DLA-DRB1*002:01) is extremely common in Collies and present in a high proportion of Shelties. That means excluding carriers of C from breeding could be detrimental to the gene pool. 

Furthermore, dog leukocyte antigen, or DLA, encodes genes included in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which is critical in the immune response system of dogs. As the role of specific DLA complexes is poorly understood, it is worthwhile to view them as likely having both unknown benefits and risks depending on the situation. And in general, DLA diversity is thought to benefit the immune response. 

Note that this test is only found on MyDogDNA and Optimal Selection panels and is only reported to dogs with Collie and/or Shetland Sheepdog ancestry indicated. 

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) risk is caused by a retrogene insertion on chromosome 12 (CFA12-FGF4RG). This is not to be confused with breed-defining chondrodysplasia, which—though caused by the same retrogene insertion on chromosome 18—is not associated with increased risk of IVDD. We have added the CDDY/IVDD test in June 2023. 

New research constantly reveals new genetic discoveries associated with disease predisposition among dog breeds. Wisdom Panel’s team of researchers and scientists actively contribute to this body of knowledge and review the findings of our colleagues to provide best-in-class testing to breeders. If we note a pattern of genetic disorder results in a certain breed and see adequate evidence of clinical significance, we will add to the list of known disorders for the breed to elevate breeder awareness. Breed-specific disorders can also change with testing panel updates, which occur on a regular basis. Rarely, testing panel updates may cause a particular test to fail our rigorous reporting quality standards. And new research sometimes suggests additional discovery work is necessary before reporting on a particular gene variant. In such cases, we may remove a disorder from our test offerings for a time.

Wisdom Panel’s team of scientists contributed to the discovery of both the genetic variant in RPGRIP1—which has been referred to as the primary risk gene for crd4—and a gene variant in MAP9—which has been shown to cause an early-onset form of the disorder in Dachshunds when present in combination with RPGRIP1. For unknown reasons, dogs with two copies of the risk variant in RPGRIP1 do not always develop abnormal vision. And recent research suggests at least one more gene variant (currently called L3) likely contributes to disease development risk. Based on this research, and to provide the most informative result for breeders, we decided to halt reporting of this disorder; however we were happy to bring it back in April of 2023.

No, Optimal Selection™ Canine tests for the presence or absence of the merle SINE insertion in the SILV gene. The length requires a secondary, specialized test (fluorescent fragmentation analysis). Dogs that have no visible merle coloration but show a positive result upon testing are likely carrying a shortened (truncated) merle allele. Tilia Laboratories in Europe offers confirmatory testing for the presence or number of truncated merle alleles and for m/Mc/Mc+/Ma/Ma+/M/Mh determination.

MyDogDNA™ tests for the presence or absence of the merle SINE insertion in the SILV gene. Often found in breeds that have carried merle for many years, the insertion can become shortened (truncated) due to copying errors that occur when gene information is passed down to offspring. Mutations within an individual can also result in that dog carrying two or more merle allele lengths. This is called “mosaicism.” Shorted merle insertions usually: 

• Do not produce a visible coat color change
• Are not thought to pose a risk of impaired vision or hearing
• Do not spontaneously revert to a normal merle allele length

Optimal Selection testing will detect all lengths of merle alleles and report presence of these as “merle” without further details. There are also rare cases in which the merle insertion has little effect on coloration in that individual, but is not shortened. Offspring that inherit this variant from a parent can show normal merle coloration, even though their parent doesn’t. To rule out cryptic or atypical merle, a secondary, specialized test (fluorescent fragmentation analysis) is required. Tilia Laboratories in Europe offers confirmatory testing for the presence or number of truncated merle alleles and for m/Mc/Mc+/Ma/Ma+/M/Mh determination.

Since 2010, preserving and monitoring diversity has been a fundamental part of our breeder products. We’ve redesigned diversity reporting to be as user-friendly as possible for all breeders and to make it available in the new web experience.

We are exploring new and better ways to convey the information in the Genetic Relationships graphs (also known as the MDS graphs). But for the time being, they are not available.