The physical similarities between the cloned puppies and their genetic donor, Missy, are striking. The two smallest puppies, Chingu and Sarang, were born just four days apart and look identical to each other – and very similar to Missy. Mira is 2.5 months older and looks even more like Missy, a process that the younger puppies are also undergoing as they age. By the time all three puppies reach adulthood, they should look just like Missy.

One of Missy’s distinctive qualities was extremely soft fur. All three cloned puppies have the softest fur you’ve ever felt on a dog. Some say it is "mink like." This particular form of resemblance is invisible to the eye, but is readily apparent to the touch, especially for those who ever felt the original Missy.

Behavioral resemblance is harder to quantify. The most overwhelming personality trait of the clones is that of just being a puppy. They are rambunctious, playful, and into everything! Even accounting for the fact that they’re puppies, the family has noticed some behavioral resemblance to the original Missy. For instance, like Missy, the clones are all both intelligent and willful.  Many times it’s clear that they fully understand what is expected of them, yet choose to do something completely different. Other similarities are even more specific. For instance, like Missy, all three pups love broccoli!

The late Missy’s family enjoys watching these puppies and noticing not just their very strong physical and behavioral similarities to the original Missy, but also certain small differences, which add to the fun. Speculating about what environmental forces might be triggering these subtle developmental differences is a fascinating nature-nurture experiment in the family’s own living room.