Discover the genetic family tree of your dog!
Have you ever wondered, “What dog breeds is mine related to?”
This interactive table answers that by visualizing the DNA relationships between dog breeds, based on a landmark genomic study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research, “Genomic Analyses Reveal the Influence of Geographic Origin, Migration, and Hybridization on Modern Dog Breed Development,” provides a definitive map of canine evolution and breed ancestry.
You can see ALL breed relationships by using our dedicated app here or simply search for your breed below to see its top three closest genetic relatives, ranked in descending order of shared DNA from a common ancestor. The asterisks indicate the significance of the relationship:
- * = High Level of Shared DNA
- ** = Very High Level of Shared DNA
- *** = Extremely High Level of Shared DNA
Dog DNA-How Closely is Your Dog Related to Other Breeds – FAQ
What role did a breed’s geographic origin play in its development?
The study confirmed that geographic origin is a fundamental factor in breed development. Breeds that originated in the same region, like East Asia or the Mediterranean, often cluster together genetically. This pattern reveals how migration routes with humans and subsequent isolation created distinct genetic lineages, shaping the incredible diversity of dog breeds we see today.
How does cross-breeding or hybridization influence modern dog breeds?
Hybridization, or the intentional cross-breeding of distinct types, was a key force in creating many modern breeds. The research identified clear genetic evidence of historical crosses, where breeders introduced new traits (e.g., a specific coat type, size, or skill) by blending established breeds. This practice significantly accelerated modern dog breed development and increased genetic diversity within individual breeds.
What does “identical by descent” DNA mean for dog breeds?
When two breeds share a segment of DNA that is identical by descent, it means that segment was inherited from a single, common ancestor in their shared history. It is not a random mutation. This is the core evidence used to build breed relationship trees and is why we can say, for example, that a Golden Retriever is closely related to a Flat-Coated Retriever.
I see Dachshunds and Dalmatians show no links on the study’s chart. Does that mean they have no genetic relationship to other breeds?
This is a fantastic observation that highlights a key detail of the study’s methodology.
- Grey Wolves are isolated because they are the primordial ancestors, not a modern breed. All dog breeds diverged from wolves; they don’t show recent interbreeding with them, which is what is measured.
- Breeds like the Dachshund and Dalmatian appear isolated because their genetic makeup is highly unique and distinct. They did not contribute DNA to, or receive significant DNA from, the other modern breeds included in this particular analysis in the recent past. This is often due to long periods of geographic isolation or very strict, closed breeding programs that prevented outcrossing.
The crucial distinction: All dog breeds are related if you go back far enough in time through their shared wolf ancestry. However, the “links” on this map specifically show recent shared ancestry (post-breed formation). The absence of a link doesn’t mean no relation; it means no detectable recent interbreeding.
