I agree with parts of this, and disagree with some parts.
I agree that the person in the article is playing a $100,000 gamble, and may not get what they're envisioning. While the DNA may be exact to their prior dog, the dog's personality is more than likely to develop quite differently.
Our companion for the last 12 years is a full-papered, purebred Pug. He will likely be replaced with another, and purchased from a breeder. I doubt we will replace him with a shelter-dog nor are we likely to adopt one from a Pug rescue type organization.
The article indicates that the only reason to purchase a purebred is for the show circuit. I disagree. Our motivation is not to take him to shows. Our motivation is to purchase a known-quantity in the way of DNA. Pugs have good and bad points to their DNA, as any other breed does. We've learned those good and bad points, and, for our use, have determined that we're okay with them.
Our lifestyle and where we live might not be correct for the needs of other dogs, say a beagle-mix from a shelter, that might be better-suited for a 10-acre farm, chasing bunnies.
I do feel sorry for the family of the $100k clone. They have years ahead of them now, comparing their newly created pet to the prior one. I hope they're ready to embrace the differences between "Scooter #1" and "Scooter #2", and don't use them as black-marks against their new pet.
