Cloned Dogs: Same DNA, Different Outcomes

By Amy Fernandez

In mid-December the NY Post ran an eye-catching article on celebrities opting to have their dead dogs cloned. Celebrity gossip is standard fare for the Post.  However, spinning a fantasy about resurrecting dead pets is something else altogether.

Cloning was controversial long before Dolly the sheep made headlines in 1996. Although cloning Dolly was the result of 277 failed attempts, researchers eventually hit the mark and subsequently cloned an impressive array of wild and domestic species. But the one everyone wanted, dog cloning, defied efforts for years. As CC readers know, canine reproduction is complicated.

Finally, in 2005 a South Korean lab unveiled Snuppy, the Afghan. Snuppy was a breakthrough, but his arrival did not herald a guaranteed method. Dog cloning remains a dicey proposition typically involving multiple attempts and several surrogate dams.  About one in five implanted embryos are successful. And just like real dog breeding, a live birth never guarantees a healthy puppy.

At this point several companies are marketing the procedure, and the sales pitch–replacing a beloved pet–is undeniable. That’s where it gets tricky.

Because it’s so new, long-term studies of cloned dogs are limited. Size, height and body weight tend to be identical, but not always. There’s plenty we don’t understand about the mechanics of genetic development and–even for cloning–some factors remain unpredictable. As the Post noted, one celebrity was surprised to get five cloned replacements for her Min Pin. Well…dogs tend to have multiple births.

We’re just beginning to understand the critical role of epigenic influences that regulate many aspects of growth and function. For example, premature aging is documented in cloned animals including dogs. Cloning has also revealed mutations that were carried and suppressed in the donor’s genome. So, $50,000 may build a new dog (or an entire litter) that looks a lot like the old one. But health, temperament, and longevity don’t inevitably come with the package.

The real issue is that giant chasm between marketing and reality. There is no question about the appeal of never losing that beloved dog. Those dogs are etched in your heart, every quirky thing that made them so unique.

Anyone who breeds has encountered buyers seeking the perfect replacement for a beloved dog. Grieving is normal, but that kind of idealized expectation is a setup for disappointment. Just like regular dogs, the finished product is a combination of nature and nurture. Regardless of its appearance, no puppy, cloned or real, can be expected to pick up the script of that fantasy.  Dog ownership is never prepackaged to guarantee anything. Those irreplaceable relationships are built with time, effort and patience, not shortcuts.

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Posted by Liz on Jan 28 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.