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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
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Hero Dog Wins Cloning Contest

German shepherd who sniffed out WTC survivors will soon have double

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(Newser) – A retired Canadian rescue dog who helped find the last survivor in the rubble of the World Trade Center has been chosen as the world's most clone-worthy dog, the Globe & Mail reports. A California genetics company chose 15-year-old German shepherd Trakr to be cloned after reading an essay from his owner. Trakr—who now needs a dog wheelchair to get around—will meet his clone later this year.

Pet cloning is expected to soon become big business. While experts warn that upbringing plays a bigger role in determining doggie personality than genes, Trakr's owner is excited about his dog's double. "If he shows even 70% of what Tracker had as far as skills, intuition and courage, then I'm going to dust off my search-and-rescue gear and we'll go back to work," said the Canadian ex-cop.

A Sept. 13, 2001, file photo of James Symington and his German shepherd, Trakr, searching through rubble at the World Trade Center tower collapse site in New York, on Sept. 13, 2001.
A Sept. 13, 2001, file photo of James Symington and his German shepherd, Trakr, searching through rubble at the World Trade Center tower collapse site in New York, on Sept. 13, 2001.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
German shepherd Trakr poses with his owner in LA. The dog that sniffed out survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center after 9/11 has been picked to be cloned.
German shepherd Trakr poses with his owner in LA. The dog that sniffed out survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center after 9/11 has been picked to be cloned.   (Getty Images)
Trakr, a German shepherd, is pictured in Los Angeles, July 1, 2008
Trakr, a German shepherd, is pictured in Los Angeles, July 1, 2008   (Getty Images)
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