Cloning Your Pet Dog: How It Works And What To Expect!

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Remember when Dolly, the sheep, was cloned?

Since then, and with much less fanfare, lots of dogs have been given a genetic twin!

Can I Clone My Dog?Yup, it’s a real thing. In fact, not too long ago, Barbara Streisand had 2 of her dogs cloned.

The cost:

$50,000 each. Ouch!

Unfortunately it is unrealistic for most folks. At present, pet cloning is only in reach for the rich.

Though Controversial And Costly, Your Dog Can Be Cloned

The process first took place on a pet cat in the year 2001. It wasn’t until 2o05 that a canine was genetically copied.

Are you looking for advice on how to go about doing it on your dog?

Here’s the first thing you should now:

Cloning needs to be planned well in advance—while your dog is still alive.

A Key To The Process

It is very likely too late to produce a clone if your dog has already died.

Immediately after death you’d need to refrigerate (not freeze) your dog’s body.

Live tissue is essential for cloning.

While hairs and teeth also contain DNA, that’s not how Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) works.

Genetic Preservation

If you are truly serious about cloning your dog then you’ve got to start thinking about preserving genetics.

Is a furry friend getting up in age?

Act sooner than later.

The first step of the process requires a biopsy.

A vet obtains a tissue sample. That’s how new canine cells are eventually cultured.

What’s pretty cool is you can choose exactly when to clone your dog once the DNA has been frozen (cryopreserved).

Fascinating FAQs

Cloned pups are typically delivered through a surrogate dog by way of natural birth.

Your new puppy will be the same sex as the original loved one.

The cloning process is, by far, most prevalent in South Korea. The US has companies doing it too.

Assuming there’s no waiting list, you could have a new copycat dog in a few months!

Not Totally the Same

Something else to keep in mind…

Cloning does not mean you’ll get an exact replica of your dog.

That would be impossible!

Just as identical twins have different personalities, a cloned dog will have unique quirks. Your new pet’s physical appearance may have noticeable variation as well.

I know what you’re thinking!

How to know if you’re really getting a true clone of your cute and clever dog?

The answer:

Get an independent DNA sample analysis comparing the two dogs’ genetics.

Are There Downsides?

Animal rights groups argue that cloning involves suffering.

Transplanting an embryo to another dog’s womb does raise ethical questions. The initial biopsy itself is also considered cruel by cloning critics.

Research these contentious issues before moving forward.

It is a major judgement call.

Of course, you love your pet. But perhaps adopting a dog that was given away is a more thoughtful alternative.

The Bottom Line

Your dog can be cloned if you have the financial resources.

The genetic technology is up to par, though a major ethical debate may never be settled.

One thing is absolutely certain:

Cloning man’s best friend, a beloved dog, is a huge personal decision. Ponder it awhile!

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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One thought on “Cloning Your Pet Dog: How It Works And What To Expect!”

  1. No, I would not clone my dog. Pets are very special and deserve to have that piece of your heart all to themselves! Adopt a homeless dog instead. Your heart is big enough to share that love!

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