• Siberian Times
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    This sly fox has an interesting trick: She acts like a dog. According to the Daily Mail U.K., a Russian scientist named Irina Mukhamedshina is raising two foxes like pet pooches.

  • Siberian Times
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    Like any well-trained canine, Anna and Elma know their names and how to sit, stay and stand. Mukhamedshina adopted the playful and puppy-like pair from the Novosibirsk Institute of Cytology and Genetics. This is a facility that studies how animals evolve from feral creatures into furry beings comfortable living alongside humans.

  • Siberian Times
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    The institute began breeding foxes in the 1950s, and, after 50 generations, now has animals that wag their tails and adore human attention, just like dogs. 

  • Siberian Times
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    Mukhamedshina adopted her faux-Fido foxes when they were mere pups (well, "kits" — to be correct!) and has raised them to be tame, loving pets.

  • Siberian Times
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    "I needed them to be young, because then I could use food motivation to train some basic commands," Irina, an experienced dog trainer, told The Siberian Times.

  • Siberian Times
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    Mukhamedshina started her training by first ensuring the animals were comfortable coming close to her. Once a bond was formed, the scientist started doing 15-minute sessions every day for three weeks to teach her new pets basic commands. 

  • Siberian Times
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    By the end of the three weeks, the foxes knew the tricks, their names and were coming to her for affection.

  • Siberian Times
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    Mukhamedshina's work has captured worldwide attention, leading her to write essays about her experience and become the subject of a documentary. 

  • Siberian Times
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    She hopes that others will follow in her footsteps and take the time to bring foxes into their homes. Some already have, adopting animals from the same institute as Mukhamedshina.

  • Siberian Times
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    Next: Meet the Elusive Silver Fox

    "Psychologically, I understand them better now. Tamed foxes are not quite like dogs; they are more in-between dogs and cats in how they respond to humans," Mukhamedshina said of her time with the animals.