What is a lineage? What does it mean to get a lineage result?Updated a month ago

A canine genetic lineage is a group of individuals or entire breeds that descended from common ancestors predating modern breed formation. Often these lineages are associated with a ‘type’ of dog with a unique historical working role and associated behaviors (e.g., herding, scent hunting, etc.).

 The genetic makeup of dogs is a mosaic where some parts may be shared with specific breeds while others are shared among entire lineages, all dogs or even wolves. A lineage percentage result indicates that pieces of your dog's DNA are too complex to be associated with a single breed but can still be associated with a larger genetic lineage. By categorizing complex ancestry by lineage in addition to breed, we can understand the ‘types’ of dogs contributing to your dog's unique genetic makeup and their associated health, behavioral, and aesthetic traits.

Here is a list of example breeds with ancestry from each lineage
Pointer-Spaniel Lineage: English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Red Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer
Scent Hound Lineage: Basset Hound, English Foxhound, Dachshund
Spitz and Sled Dog Lineage: Akita, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky
Terrier Lineage: Jack Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier
Mastiff and Bull-Type Lineage: French Bulldog, St. Bernard, Bullmastiff
Herding Dog Lineage: Border Collie, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd
Toy Dog Lineage: Chihuahua, Maltese, Shih Tzu
Retriever Lineage: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Sighthound Lineage: Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, Whippet