Martin Clunes, the beloved British actor known for his roles in television and film, has always seemed perfectly at home surrounded by animals. But even the most seasoned pet owner can be caught off guard by a pair of particularly unruly pups. As reported by thetimes.com, Clunes recently opened up about the unexpected chaos brought into his life by two Jack Russell terrier puppies, Murray and John—affectionately, if somewhat ominously, nicknamed the "Kray Twins." Their story, as Clunes tells it, is a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks handling a couple of cute puppies will be a walk in the park.
Clunes lives on a sprawling 130-acre farm in Beaminster, Dorset, a setting that sounds idyllic on paper. But the tranquility of rural life was upended when he brought home Murray and John, both from the same litter, after the passing of his previous Jack Russell, Jim, in 2023. What he didn’t know at the time was just how much trouble can come from raising two puppies together. He later learned about something called "littermate syndrome," a condition where puppies from the same litter form such a strong attachment to each other that they essentially tune out their human family, leading to a host of behavioral issues.
And behavioral issues they had in spades. The "outlaw bond" between the Kray Twins manifested in ways that would test even the most patient soul: fighting with the farm cats, chasing cars on the nearby roads, and even terrorizing the neighboring village. Clunes recounted that what should have been a simple trip to the vet turned into a logistical nightmare, as the puppies reacted aggressively to every other dog they encountered. Things escalated to truly alarming levels when, at just eight months old, the duo attacked a roe deer, breaking its neck. Clunes responded by fitting the puppies with GPS trackers, hoping at least to keep tabs on their escapades.
But the trouble didn't stop there. In another harrowing incident, Murray managed to dislocate a lamb’s leg. Clunes intervened to save the injured animal, which then spent six weeks recuperating in the farm’s stables. The mounting chaos left Clunes feeling overwhelmed and guilty. He even considered asking his friend and former co-star Neil Morrissey to take one of the dogs, but Morrissey declined the offer.
“I’ve just been a bit too soft on my dogs,” Clunes later admitted, reflecting on his previous approach to pet ownership. The actor, who is no stranger to playing characters with shades of "toxic masculinity," found himself at a loss when it came to asserting authority over his canine companions. The situation began to affect his home life, straining his marriage to producer Phillipa Braithwaite. At one point, Phillipa was so fed up with the dogs’ antics that she openly disliked Murray and John. Clunes confessed to feeling immense guilt for insisting they bring the puppies home, saying he was "trashing this very peaceful idyll we had created."
Desperate for a solution, Clunes turned to professional help. The breakthrough came in the form of an intensive, full-day bootcamp led by renowned dog expert Ingrid Grayling in Devon. Grayling introduced Clunes and Phillipa to the principles of "pack leadership," emphasizing the importance of a firm voice and a steady hand on the lead. According to thetimes.com, Grayling’s lessons were transformative, but she lived too far away for regular sessions. So, it was up to Clunes and Phillipa to carry the torch.
They committed to a rigorous training regimen—four half-hour sessions a day for each dog, every day, over six weeks. This was no small feat. To make things even more challenging, Clunes had to leave for a filming commitment, playing Mr. Earnshaw in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights. The bulk of the training then fell to Phillipa, whose dedication proved key to turning things around.
The results, Clunes shared, have been nothing short of remarkable. The once-wild Kray Twins are now so well-behaved that they accompany Clunes on visits to local hospice organizations, including Julia’s House and Weldmar Hospicecare. There, the dogs help break the ice with patients, many of whom open up about their own beloved pets. “They’re now so good I can take them to hospices,” Clunes said. The transformation has been a source of pride—and relief—for the actor and his family.
Reflecting on the journey, Clunes acknowledged the steep learning curve, even for someone with his experience. “I thought I could handle dogs,” he told thetimes.com, “but these two taught me otherwise.” The story underscores the complexities of animal behavior and the importance of proper training, especially when dealing with siblings from the same litter. The phenomenon of littermate syndrome is not widely understood among casual dog owners, but as Clunes’s experience shows, it can lead to a host of problems if not addressed early and decisively.
Clunes’s farm, despite its picturesque setting, is not the self-sustaining paradise many might imagine. He candidly admitted that the costs of maintaining such a property are substantial, and he relies heavily on his acting career to keep things afloat. “Without steady work, we’d have to sell within a year,” he revealed. It’s a sobering reminder that even those who seem to have it all are often balancing on a financial tightrope.
The tale of Murray and John is, in many ways, a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by pet owners everywhere. Bringing animals into our lives is a source of joy and companionship, but it also comes with responsibilities and, sometimes, unexpected hurdles. Clunes’s willingness to share his struggles—along with his eventual success—offers hope and guidance to others in similar situations.
As for the Kray Twins, their days of mayhem are behind them. Thanks to hard work, expert advice, and more than a little patience, they’ve become valued members of the Clunes household—and even local heroes in their own right. Sometimes, the wildest stories have the happiest endings.