# Would you want a clone of your dog? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747 "2010-09-23T05:47:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/21 "2010-09-23T20:37:25Z")
I had a Pekingese when I was a kid that I loved more than life, and as an adult, I thought of getting another that looked as much as possible like my beloved. One day, I actually saw such a dog, and right away I knew I didn’t want to try and replace the “real” one. Besides, there are so many wonderful animals around, I don’t have enough lifetime to have all the pets I dream of having! ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/22 "2010-09-23T20:40:24Z")
I have a cousin who practically does keep a series of clones for pets. As soon as one dog dies, he replaces it with an exact lookalike. ETA: Yes, _Duncan_ Idaho. From the dog’s perspective I’m probably as long-lived as the God Emperor. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/23 "2010-09-23T20:52:04Z")
No. I’ll never forget Seymour, but he forgot me a long, long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/24 "2010-09-23T20:57:45Z")
Oh, no you _di’int_! _pelts **Stu** with dog biscuits_ ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/25 "2010-09-23T20:59:16Z")
Dog has no apparent health problems at 5 1/2. He’s got an incredibly patient and loving temperament and yet has saved/warned my family in a few sticky situations. I was very upset that my parents didn’t save some of his sperm before he was neutered (he was neutered at 3 1/2, a few months after we got him). Many friends of the family and other dog owners have commented on how he’s the most well behaved and loving dog they’ve encountered. I think he’ll be irreplaceable. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/26 "2010-09-23T23:49:01Z")
No, no, no. And no. This may sound evil, but I don’t even like her that much. I’m always good to her and always will be, but she’s… not right, this dog. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/27 "2010-09-24T00:12:58Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > No, no, no. And no. > > This may sound evil, but I don’t even like her that much. I’m always good to her and always will be, but she’s… not right, this dog. If you don’t put all the stones back on top as a cairn, the Wendigo is prone to enter . . . ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/28 "2010-09-24T00:32:55Z")
If it’s a magical clone, absolutely as my dog Zen is the best ever. If I didn’t get the magical version and it might have a different personality, no way. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/29 "2010-09-24T04:57:52Z")
No. My best friend is the best dog ever. So by definition, any other dog, even his clone, will be inferior. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/30 "2010-09-24T05:49:09Z")
Nope. Although I no longer have a dog, I wouldn’t want clones of any of my former (beloved) ones. To begin with, my living situation is much different now than it was then. Big, outdoor-type dogs with lots of energy wouldn’t be a good choice for a middle-aged apartment dweller. To end with, most of what made dogs-past what they were, was the interaction between them and their human pack. I’m not the same person that I was then, so it’s unlikely that my dog would turn out the same. Should I choose to have another, it will probably be a shelter or rescue dog, even if the magical clone was available. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/31 "2010-09-24T06:02:10Z")
No, because if I had a magic clone, it would take away from their specialness. Instead of Dongle the great, there would be Dongle the beta test, Dongle v2.0, etc. Because I have Bostons, they tend to have similar traits that make me smile (the piggy noises, big eyes, etc) but enough unique qualities that make each one special. If I had Dongle v2.0, I would have never gotten Stubby and that is a sad thought. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/32 "2010-09-24T06:11:04Z")
All of my dogs have been the best dog ever, so it’s hard to say. But wouldn’t a clone be physically identical, but have a different personality? I could always find a dog that was physically close enough, without it being a clone. So, no. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/33 "2010-09-24T06:37:26Z")
I would like a pack… a cloned pack… my Cricket, Tami Sue, Lassie, Big Red, Britney, Curly, Tami Sue 2, Mindy Sue, Baby, Cocoa, and Daisy Sue. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/34 "2010-09-24T06:43:56Z")
And I could probably track down where half are buried. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/35 "2010-09-24T07:09:13Z")
Rex was also a good dog. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/36 "2010-09-24T12:27:23Z")
Yes and No. Yes, because I would want the exact same dog who was The Best Dog EVAR ™ for 12 years. No, because it would be unfair to the new clone who would never have its own personality and that kind of money for a clone could take care of alot of other homeless pups. I miss my Murph alot. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/37 "2010-09-24T13:32:21Z")
I’d be tempted with my current cat, but then again the thought is always tempting. In the end I wouldn’t, not with so many cats out there needing homes. I do love her to pieces though and the fact that her super short, squirrel-like fur doesn’t aggrevate my husband’s allergies at all surely is a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/38 "2010-09-24T13:41:08Z")
No. They would be raised differnt, and have differnt personalities. Besides, the world does not need another 46 pound Jack Russel Terrier. ---
**Author:** ![LegsAkimbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f1d935/32.png) [@LegsAkimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegsAkimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/39 "2010-09-24T15:36:44Z")
Yes! If I am correct that the clone would be identical in appearance, then the genetics of the breed would fill in the other wonderful traits (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). When I love a dog this much, I know the face. I know every detail of his face, I believe I could pick his face out of 100 Cavs. When I lose a dog that means this much to me (I’ve lost lots of dogs over the decades, but only one other one as important as this one), I miss seeing that face–looking up at me with a ball in his mouth, looking up at me as he sits to get a treat, looking at me with concern when it thunders, looking at me with that sweet face last thing at night before he puts his head down to go to sleep. When I lost the last great dog, I missed seeing her face every day. When I think about losing Sawyer, I think of the sadness of not seeing his face again. If the clone would have the face, then breeding and upbringing would fill in the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747/40 "2010-09-24T19:40:56Z")
No. I tend to think of clones as being identical in appearance but possibly entirely different in personality, and I think it would break my heart too much to have a dog who looked just like Bailey but wasn’t Bailey. At least, that’s how I feel _now_, after just two years. I had a cat for 18 years who died in 2004, and every now and then I peruse kitty adoption events (I’ll have another cat _someday_). Six years later it’s still hard to see standard tabbys who look just like Smokey did. And now I’m crying…dammit! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-want-a-clone-of-your-dog/554747.md?page=3)