DNA Testing for Dogs at the Veterinarian: How the Sample Collection and Registration Process Work

Many breeders have their dogs DNA-tested before breeding, and in order for the results to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, the test must be performed by a veterinarian. Here, we’ll explain why a veterinarian is needed, what to do during the visit, and how the clinic can document the test without any extra work.

Why the test is performed at the veterinarian's office

The SKK centrally records the results of a DNA test once the sample has been collected by a veterinarian who has verified the dog’s identity. According to the SKK, this identity verification is important to ensure that the correct dog is being tested. The SKK’s Breeding Committee has decided that swab samples may also be registered, provided that the sample is collected by a veterinarian who verifies the dog’s identity in the same manner as for blood samples.

The form and what to send to SKK

According to the SKK, the DNA test form is filled out at the time of sampling and signed by both the veterinarian and the dog owner. The veterinarian certifies the dog’s identity, and the dog owner agrees to have the results entered into the SKK’s database. Once the test results are available, the form is sent to the SKK along with a copy of the test results or the certificate from the laboratory. The SKK does not accept the email response that some laboratories send in advance as valid documentation for registration. Some clinics keep the form on file and submit it themselves once the test results are available.

Before Your Visit

The SKK advises dog owners to check with their breed club to find out which test is required and to bring the dog’s pedigree, the SKK’s DNA test form, and the referral form from the laboratory that will analyze the sample. According to the SKK, the referral form is often available on the laboratory’s website, while the form can be printed from the SKK’s website. It’s a good idea for the clinic to remind owners of this when scheduling the appointment, so that the visit doesn’t have to be rescheduled.

Recording of Sampling Data

According to Chapter 3, Section 9 of the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations on animal health personnel (SJVFS 2023:19), the medical record for each consultation shall, if possible, include, among other things, the date, the reason for the consultation, which examinations and procedures were performed and by whom, what advice was given to the animal owner, and the name and title of the person responsible for the examination. According to Chapter 3, Section 8, the medical record must also include basic information about the animal owner and the animal’s identity whenever possible.

Short visits, such as those for a test, are the ones most likely to result in incomplete notes, since they seem straightforward at the time. More examples of common omissions can be found in the article on the most common mistakes in medical record-keeping.

Here's how Vetz can help during your visit

Vetz listens during the conversation with the dog owner and creates a structured draft medical record based on the clinic’s own templates. If the clinic has a template for sample collection with ID verification, the draft follows that template, and you review, edit, and sign the record before it is transferred to the medical record system. More information about this workflow is available on the page about AI-powered medical record-keeping.

Using the same note, Vetz can generate personalized discharge instructions—for example, with information on what the dog owner should do with the form when the test results arrive. Vetz also suggests what should be billed based on the contents of the medical record, so that testing and ID verification are included on the invoice. Learn more on the pages about discharge instructions and billing for veterinary clinics.

Learn more about Vetz

Would you like to see how Vetz can be used to document lab tests and other brief visits? Schedule a demo, and we'll show you how Vetz works with your templates.