There are several types of genetic maps, and most are made obsolete by a complete genome sequence. The linkage map is the lone exception; this map is an abstract representation of the genome, and thus cannot be directly inferred from the sequence. The current version of the linkage map is incomplete, and composed of less than 300 markers. This density is inadequate for powerful mapping approaches that exploit the genetic structure of breeds, and hold enormous promise for resolving complex canine diseases. Thus, a dense linkage map is of great importance to the research community. “Capping” the ends of chromosomes with informative DNA markers leveraged from the genome sequence represents a key first step in closing the dog linkage map. This approach extends the map to the end of every chromosome, thereby allowing researchers to explore the full genetic landscape for genes of practical importance. “Capping” the linkage map has immediate applications for ongoing studies project-specific estimates of map coverage can be made, which allow researchers to assess how well their families and markers are performing at each stage of a project, and make adjustments accordingly.