First litter of puppies born through IVF - cute, and groundbreaking

ITHACA, N.Y. (WPVI) -- They look like regular puppies, with wet noses, and constantly wagging tails.

But this is a groundbreaking litter.

Researchers at Cornell University have announced a breakthrough in reproductive and genetic research,with the first success in puppies born through in-vitro fertilization.

A team at Cornell's veterinary school created embryos in the lab, then transferred 19 of them to a host female.

They got 7 healthy, happy puppies, but not all of one breed.

"You'll see that this one here is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a beagle, whereas this one over here is a beagle-beagle, and they all came from the same litter," a spokesperson said, as he played with the energetic puppies.

Scientists hope this success will open the door for conserving endangered species, and that the gene-editing technology could help eradicate inherited diseases in dogs, and perhaps other animals.