First scientifically proven identical twin dogs

In 2014, South African veterinarian Kurt de Cramer delivered the first two puppies confirmed to be monozygotic twins (siblings from a single egg) at the Rant en Dal Animal Hospital in Mogale City, South Africa, as detailed in the journal Reproduction in Domestic Animals in August 2016. The male Irish wolfhound pups – since named Cullen and Romulus – were two of seven puppies delivered via Caesarian section, which enabled de Cramer to observe that the dogs were linked to the same placenta in the womb. A subsequent blood test verified his hypothesis that the two puppies were identical.

Non-identical multiple births are common in many animals, including dogs. But this record means that dogs now enter a select group of animals scientifically proven to produce identical twins, along with humans and nine-banded armadillos.

There have been previous reports of identical twin dogs (among other species), but this is the first time that the claims have been substantiated with DNA profiling.