The genetic resources of native livestock have adapted to the diverse regions and climatic conditions. Today, many livestock breeds have been lost or are threatened with extinction in Türkiye. Recognizing the value of livestock genetic resources for the sustainability of the livestock system has led to several concrete efforts to characterize the existing genetic variation of native livestock breeds. To fill the gaps in the knowledge of breeds, molecular genetic characterization has been well described in livestock genetic resources. Assessment of the genetic variation of populations is critical for conservation programs and sustainable use of the specific breed. The SNP genotyping-associated gene studies to identify genomic regions under selection practices are important for future research. To understand the biodiversity of livestock genetic resources and to plan conservation and sustainable management, the previous studies and information on the molecular genetic characterizations of native livestock breeds were reviewed in this paper.