Russia's First Cloned Hunting Dogs Thrive in Yakutia After Decade-Long Experiment

Russia’s first cloned hunting laikas now live in Yakutia. The two dogs, created using advanced cloning technology, were originally produced in South Korea in 2013. They have since grown into adult hunters, recognised for their working abilities. The project began with an ambitious goal to find viable mammoth cells. However, the same technology was later applied to dogs. Scientists took tissue samples from the finest specimens of the Yakut hunting breed Kérecheene ('Beauty'). These samples were implanted into the egg cell of a surrogate mother, resulting in two cloned puppies.

Each puppy cost 4 million rubles, bringing the total to 8 million rubles. The original dog, Syutik ('Thimble'), served as the genetic source for the clones. During transit through Vladivostok, Syutik and one of her clones recognised each other. They showed mutual affection and even played together without aggression.

One of the clones, named Bélèkh ('Gift'), turned nine this year. The other clone later produced offspring that inherited the ancestors’ working qualities. These descendants have since proven successful in hunting. Participants in the 'Yakutia: Territory of Growth' press tour recently met one of the now-grown cloned dogs. The cloned laikas have lived up to their lineage’s reputation. Their ability to recognise and bond with the original dog demonstrates the success of the cloning process. The offspring’s hunting skills further confirm the preservation of the breed’s valued traits.