Man’s best friend is a priceless gift of loyalty, companionship, and unconditional adoration. Well, perhaps not literally priceless. In fact, dogs can be quite expensive to own but could be even more expensive to purchase. Using Bright Side, Tail and Fur, and Breeding Business, we have compiled a list of the 20 most expensive dogs in the world for those who are willing to spend the money on a new pup.
But be warned, for some of these prices, the dog you purchase better be the ultimate companion for life. Some of these four-legged loyalists will run you more than purchasing a small car. But if a pup captures your heart, perhaps you won’t be able to say no even when the costs are astronomical. So if you have a few thousand burning a hole in your pocket, here is a list of 20 of the most expensive dogs.
Most Expensive Dogs of all time
1. Saint Bernard ($1,500)
Saint Bernards kick off our list as a working dog breed from the Italian and Swiss regions of the western Alps. The breed was bred originally by the Great St Bernard Pass hospice located on the Swiss-Italian border for rescue purposes. But the 1992 family movie Beethoven drew the attention and the hearts of the world to this giant, slobbery breed, bolstering its popularity to new heights. Since then, the price tag on St Bernards has been a hefty one.
2. Lakeland Terrier ($2,000)
Hailing from the Lake District in England, as is its namesake, the Lakeland terrier is a mid-sized dog that weighs around 7 to 8 kg. This breed sheds far less than many other dog breeds, so it produces less dander, which in turn helps owners with allergies. In that, the dog is considered generally hypo-allergenic. If you want one, you will need to have $2,000 ready to pay up.
3. Irish Wolfhound ($3,000)
The Irish Wolfhound is peculiar looking and tall, though most distinctly it is a long-standing sighthound breed from the Irish isle, bred to be both a guard dog and a game-hunting companion. It was also used as a means of defense against wolves. These big dogs can way as much as 150 lbs, stand 30 to 32 inches tall, and carry a price tag of $3,000.
4. Black Russian Terrier ($3,500)
While the Black Russian Terrier will cost a hefty $3,500, they are loyal family pets who are good with children and adore their humans. Bred originally in the Red Star Kennels of the USSR in the late 1940s and early 1950s, this breed was trained and utilized by the military. Though they have an intimidating look that will make most intruders head the other way, they seldom bark and love spending time with their entire households.
5. Bedlington Terrier ($4,000)
If you think that small dogs can’t cost a lot, meet Northumberland’s (from North East England) contribution to the canine world in the Bedlington terrier. Originally bred for vermin hunting, the dog breed has since been used for many dog sports, conformation events, and dog racing. These pups come in a variety of colors including liver, sandy, or blue. If you have a family you probably aren’t eager to jump on a purchase of a dog that is $4,000, but if you have the money, these terriers are terrific with kids.
6. English Bulldog ($4,300)
The 15th most expensive dog on the list is the English (or British) Bulldog. This brute is of medium size and is easily recognized due to its distinctively depressed button nose and its wrinkled face. Of all of the dog breeds in the US, the American Kennel Club regarded bulldogs as the fourth most popular of the 2016 pure breeds. It is important to remember that when you shell out its $4,300 price tag, you are getting a dog that has a notoriety of health issues, so that price is just the starting point for the health maintenance of an English bulldog.
7. Portuguese Water Dog ($5,000)
Next is the Portuguese Water Dog, which is a breed of working dogs as classified by the American Kennel Club. The breed originated from Algarve, Portugal, this fluffy pup with a coat of curls and waves doesn’t shed and was made famous by Barak Obama’s dog “B.” The breed’s males are about 50 to 57 cm tall compared to the 43 to 52 cm females and can weigh between 19 and 27 kg, compared to the female’s average 16 to 23 kg weight. These dogs typically have a lifespan of one to one and a half decades (10 to 14 years with good care).
8. Saluki ($5,500)
A breed stemming from nomadic tribes to serve as a sighthound who runs down game is the Saluki. The Saluki has a lanky frame with long legs and an overall unconventional appearance. They weigh between 40 and 60 pounds and range from about 25 to 28 inches in height. Despite their unusual appearance, the Saluki has a respectable 12 to 14-year lifespan. If you shell out the $5,500 you need to get one, you are getting a pretty decent return on your investment.
9. French Bulldog ($6,000)
When imported English bulldogs were cross-bred with Parisian ratters, a new breed of the French Bulldog came into existence in the early 1800s. The reason for their hefty $6,000 price tag is their exclusivity. Due to their narrow hips, the litters are typically only 2 or 3 puppies, making them tough dogs to breed.
10. Akita ($6,500)
The Akita breed comes from Northern Japan’s mountainous regions originally, but currently, there are actually two variants of this breed: Japanese Akita and American Akita, with the former coming in a more narrow color palette, while the latter strain coming in a greater variety. They are, therefore, distinguishable by their color variations. In terms of size, males can be 26 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 59 kg, while females are 24 to 24 inches long and weigh between 34 and 50 kg.
11. Afghan Hound ($7,000)
Bred for its distinguishable features in the Afghan mountains, the Afghan hound sports silky, smooth, and thick hair, as well as a curly-ring tail. This breed generally weighs between 23 and 27 kg and is between 64 to 69 cm tall. They can have Gold, Fawn, or Cream coats, with a black mask. While some in the breed have white markings, breeders try to avoid having this happen as it detracts from the black-faced distinction of the animal. The dog’s individuality and unique look contribute greatly to its $7,000 price point.
12. Pharaoh Hound ($7,500)
The unique appearance and disposition of the Pharaoh Hound earn it not only its jaw-dropping $7,500 price tag but the distinction of being Malta’s national dog. Referred to as Kelb tal-Fenek (or “rabbit dog”) in Maltese, this breed has traditionally been used for hunting rabbits in the Maltese islands.
The males tend to be between 23 and 25 inches tall, while females are between 21 and 24 inches, and their weight, which depends on the dog’s gender, falls anywhere in the range of 45 to 55 pounds. They are great family dogs who are easy to train and are extremely loyal. Perhaps the high price tag is worth it after all?
13. Dogo Argentino ($8,000)
This breed is a muscular monster and it comes in as the eighth-most expensive dog breed in the world. Originally bred for big game hunting starting in 1928, its genesis comes from cross-breeding Cordoba Fighting Dogs with other bigger dog breeds like Great Danes. The breed’s attributes include a deep-set, thick chest, a large white muscular torso, and a coat of short hair. While their appearance is domineering and they have a lot of energy to expend, requiring regular exercise, they make great and loyal family pets.
14. Canadian Eskimo Dog ($8,750)
Brought over from the Siberian region to North America by the Thule tribes well over 1,000 years ago, the Canadian Eskimo Dog is one of the world’s rarest and oldest working dog breeds. Toward the 1960s their numbers began to diminish as snowmobiles became more prominent to handle the work the dogs used to do.
The wide spread of infectious diseases affecting canines was another prominent reason for the dwindling numbers. These days the breed is exceptionally rare, with only about three hundred purebred dogs in existence. Their rarity is a big reason for their astronomical $8,750 price.
15. Rottweiler ($9,000)
The Rottweiller was originally bred in Germany (known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund) as a working dog. Their German name means “butchers’ dogs” as their primary role was to herd livestock and pull carts full of butchered meat. With an 8 to 10-year lifespan, it is easy for most to judge the 50 to 60 kg, 24 to 27-inch tall Rottweiler as the intimidatingly aggressive monster that it looks like. However, their reputation is largely skewed as this breed is very loyal, obedient, and generally good-natured.
16. Azawakh ($9,500)
The Azawakh is another sighthound to be included on this list, but this one comes from Western Africa and is identifiable by its striking almond eyes and slender body. The breed weighs between 15 and 25 kg, stands between 25 and 29 inches tall, and has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. This rare breed is currently available to own only in Canada and the United States.
17. Tibetan Mastiff ($10,000)
This member of the mastiff family comes from Tibet and was originally bred as a dog with protective instincts to guard humans against hungry roaming predators like wolves, bears, and lions. The dog’s large size is a significant factor in its appearance.
Tibetan mastiffs can weigh between 55 and 90 kg, with males reaching the height of 33 inches. As time passed, the breed became financially burdensome to take care of by their nomadic owners, leading to a gradual drop in their numbers. But if you have $10,000 lying around and love big burly hounds, the Tibetan Mastiff might suit you as your best friend.
18. Chow Chow ($11,000)
There are several reasons that the Chow Chow is the third most expensive dog in the world. Not only is it one of China’s oldest breeds, but it is also increasingly rare. They are also adorable and unique, resembling a lion covered in teddy-bear fluff. Their black tongue is another distinguishing feature. They indeed have a bit of a questionable reputation for being aggressive and dangerous, but they are incredibly loyal to their humans. They are energetic, so they need space and time to exercise.
Overall they are not only initially expensive, but they require lots of walks, treats, food, and grooming, and can be quite costly in terms of vet bills. But if you can afford $10,000 on this dog breed, you can likely afford the rest.
19. Lowchen ($12,000)
Of all of the breeds on this list, the Lowchen is one of the smallest. It is even considered to be a “toy dog” by registries and the American Kennel Club, regarding it as a non-sporting dog. While it was once considered the world’s smallest canine breed, it is now near the bottom of the size list.
These pups don’t know how small they are, as their attitude earned them the moniker of “little lions.” The $12,000 price tag is mostly due to the dog’s rarity. In 1973, only 65 Lowchen were known to exist in the world, and while their numbers are higher now, only 300 dogs of this breed are registered annually.
20. Samoyed ($14,000)
The magnificent Samoyed with its massive $14,000 price tag tops our list of the 20 most expensive dogs in the world list. Originally bred in Siberia as a herding dog, this breed is unmistakable with its gorgeous, double-layer, thick, white coat.
A fully ground male weighs between 45 and 65 pounds, while females range between 30 and 50. They are very social, inquisitive, and intelligent animals who can live as long as 12 to 13 years. They are also very rare. Combining all of those attributes makes the Samoyed the world’s most expensive dog breed.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the world of purebred dogs is fascinating and often expensive, with some breeds commanding prices in the millions. The top 20 most expensive dogs are the Samoyed, the Chow Chow, and the Tibetan Mastiff. While the cost of these dogs may seem excessive, it reflects these breeds’ rarity, purity, and desirability. It is important to remember that the cost of a dog should not be the sole determining factor in choosing a pet and that responsible pet ownership involves providing adequate care and attention, regardless of breed or cost.
Since you have finished reading this amazing article of the most expensive dogs ever, we suggest to you to check this one: Bear hunting dog you didn’t know before
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is dog training so expensive?
Dog training can be expensive due to various factors, including the trainer’s experience and expertise, the training program’s length and complexity, and the location and facilities used for training. Additionally, dog training often requires a significant investment of time and resources on the trainer’s part, as well as ongoing support and follow-up for the owner and the dog.
Why are dogs so expensive?
Dogs can be expensive for various reasons, including breeding and raising them, veterinary care and vaccinations, and training and socialization. Additionally, certain breeds of dogs are more expensive than others due to their popularity, rarity, or unique characteristics. The ongoing costs of caring for a dog, including food, toys, and grooming, can also increase over time.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
