Piff the Magic Dragon, the British comedian and magician who has been performing with his tiny Chihuahua Mr Piffles for 15 years, has gone to extreme lengths to keep his beloved sidekick in the spotlight – even in retirement. Mr Piffles is ready to take a well earned rest but his stage legacy will live on thanks to a clone named Fortune, or as the fans are calling him, Mr Piffles 2.0.
Piff, whose real name is John van der Put, has splashed out £46,000 ($60,000) to have Mr Piffles cloned and has created a genetically identical copy to take over the role. This has caused a stir in the entertainment world and beyond as it’s one of the few times a performer has cloned an animal for the stage.
Why clone a Chihuahua?
For Piff, Mr Piffles is more than a pet – he’s a vital part of the magic act that made them a hit on America’s Got Talent in 2015 and a fan favourite at venues worldwide, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. When the 17 year old dog started to show signs of aging, Piff began his search for a replacement with the same charm. But finding a dog with the same magic as Mr Piffles proved impossible.
“I looked everywhere but no other dog could live up to Mr Piffles,”
he said. So he took the unusual step of cloning, turning to science to replicate the pup he’d been with for almost 10 years.
The science of Mr Piffles 2.0
Using DNA from the original Mr Piffles, scientists created Fortune, an exact genetic copy of the famous Chihuahua. Piff says the name “Fortune” was a nod to the cost of the cloning process. “He’s worth every penny,” he jokes, “I could have cloned myself instead.”
The original Mr Piffles and his clone will perform together on stage in Las Vegas next week before the older dog retires. Fans are excited for this world first performance and Mr Piffles will be one of the only cloned animals in the entertainment industry.
A legacy of magic and laughter
Piff’s journey from the UK to the Las Vegas Strip has been a wild one. From performing in local clubs to appearing on Penn & Teller: Fool Us in 2011 and then America’s Got Talent where his magic and comedy – with Mr Piffles’ cuteness – won over the judges. Since then he has headlined in Las Vegas with icons like Elvis and the Blue Man Group and now has a residency at the Flamingo.
For Piff, cloning Mr Piffles wasn’t just about preserving a piece of his act—it was about honouring the special bond they share. He rescued the Chihuahua in 2008 at the Edinburgh Festival, after finding him in poor conditions. “At that time, Mr Piffles was being kicked around by an eight-year-old boy. I rescued him, and he took to showbusiness like a duck to water,” Piff recalls. “He’s been my partner on stage and my longest relationship.”
What’s next for Mr Piffles and fortune?
As Fortune steps into Mr Piffles’ role, audiences will have the chance to see both dogs together, at least for a while. This transition performance will be a one-of-a-kind act in Las Vegas, where the dogs will appear side by side—one a seasoned veteran, the other a fresh face with big paws to fill.
Piff’s dedication to his dog, and now his clone, showcases his commitment to keeping fans entertained and ensuring his act continues seamlessly. It’s safe to say Mr Piffles 2.0 has big shoes (or, in this case, tiny paws) to fill, but with Piff’s support, Fortune is ready to take on the challenge.
