People show love to their dogs by showering them with clothes, fancy meals, and toys. The gift options keep getting vast and better; spending money on your pets is just a part of the deal when fostering, buying, or adopting a pet.
The tab and budget of raising a dog keep increasing. But that also depends on the breed, too, because some breeds require extensive care compared to others. Everything from bath time to bedtime can be very costly, depending on the breed.
The most expensive dogs are usually purebred and rare. These expensive dogs also require more training, medical visits, and grooming over their lifetime.
Some of these dogs are expensive to buy initially, while others cost more over time. Dog owners usually spend about $1200 to $3000 in the initial year of ownership, but these depend on your budget and income.
We are going to list down the 15 most expensive dogs in the world. The cost of the dogs also depends on the breeder and location, and it might vary.
Most Expensive Dogs
1. Samoyed
The fabulous Samoyed is an ancient breed originating from Siberia. They are named after the Samoyedic people.
These dogs assisted these people in protecting reindeer and pulling sleds. The rare breed is known for its eager to please, loving, and kind attitude.
They are friendly and always have a smile on their face. The ancient breed is also social, brilliant, and mischievous. Samoyeds ask for constant attention and care, making them perfect for children and families.
Samoyed has an extreme sensitivity to run and roam miles, so it is better if you continually keep them on a leash.
Even though the Samoyed is a rare breed, they rack up bills, unlike any famous dog. They are prone to health complications like autoimmune conditions, cardiac disorders, and corneal dystrophy, which can cost a lot.
Height: Female 48-53 cm, Male 53-60 cm
Weight: Female 16-20 kg, Male 20-30 kg
Personality: Athletic and Smart
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
2. Löwchen
The Löwchen has been a famous dog in Europe for about 500 years. It originated in France.
In 1973, they were on the edge of existence, making them rare when only 65 of them were left worldwide. Currently, there are only 300 Löwchen that are registered every year.
It’s also known as the ‘little lion dog’ because it resembles a lion. The little lion dog is very playful and active, making them perfect for children and families.
They like attention, and they get unhappy when unattended for an extended period.
The breed doesn’t get sick regularly and is healthy, so your pockets won’t get empty paying for their medical bills. The expense comes from the upfront cost of the dog.
Height: Female 30-33 cm, Male 33-36 cm
Weight: Female 4-6 kg, Male 5-8 kg
Personality: Playful
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
3. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is among the rarest and oldest breeds globally, and the dog originates from Northern China. The breed is expensive, but the cost to own the dog doesn’t stop there. It’s costly to raise the dog because the bills for the vet, treats, food, and grooming are hefty.
The breed is stubborn and can impact trainability, hindering the relationship between its owner and the dog. The dog requires decent regular exercises, like four or more walks a day.
The breed’s primary health issues are allergies, eyelid entropion, thyroid function, and elbow and hip dysplasia. Their life expectancy can be increased with extensive care.
Height: Female 46-51 cm, Male 48-56 cm
Weight: Female 20-27 kg, Male 25-32 kg
Personality: Stubborn, Loyal, and Independent
Life Expectancy: 9-15 years
4. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff, originally from Tibet, made its way to America, where it protected the sheep from predators like bears, leopards, and wolves. A grown male Mastiff can reach more than 68kg, and it can fend off some of the strongest animals.
Mastiffs were initially used as protectors and guardians, but they became too costly for their owners and gradually vanished. The breed is extremely alert and will protect your family at any cost.
They are a very healthy breed but are still prone to some conditions such as eye anomalies, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia.
Height: Female 61-71 cm, Male 66-76 cm
Weight: Female 34-56 kg, Male 45-72 kg
Personality: Strong-Willed, Intelligent, and Protective
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
5. Azawakh
Azawakh is a breed that’s relatively new to the world. They originated from West Africa and are distinct relatives to South Indian and Middle Eastern Hounds. They were mainly used as hunting dogs.
The breed is not that famous and is scarce in North America, but they are gaining popularity after being recognized by the AKC.
Since Azawakhs are hunting dogs, they recover quickly from their injuries and have some hereditary conditions like wobbler disease and epilepsy.
Their lifespan is long and can be increased further with high-quality food and daily exercise. They only exercise in the owner’s presence, so they will also keep you fit.
Height: Female 60-70 cm, Male 64-74 cm
Weight: Female 15-20 kg, Male 20-25 kg
Personality: Attentive, Fierce, and Refined
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
6. Rottweiler
This entry might surprise everyone, as Rottweilers are generally a more familiar breed than the other dogs on this list.
Their upfront value is not that expensive, but their medical bills are a lot. They suffer from many health issues and are susceptible to many diseases like hip, joint issues, and cancer.
Rottweiler’s insurance is the highest among any other dog breeds. So if you want to own one, expect to pay pet insurance of $300 annually.
The lifespan of Rottweilers is comparatively lower than other dogs. However, they are considered excellent pets for families because of their obedience and loyalty to their owners.
Height: Female 56-63 cm, Male 61-69 cm
Weight: Female 35-48 kg, Male 50-60 kg
Personality: Calm, Confident, Good-Natured, and Obedient
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
7. Canadian Eskimo Dog
This rare dog originated from Siberia and came to N. America more than 1000 years ago. The breed is among the most exclusive breeds, with only three hundred of them existing in 2018. They have been decreasing ever since the 60s.
The reason for the dwindling numbers of the breed is because of the extensive RCMP dog murders and the invention of snowmobiles. The RCMP killed over 20000 dogs to intentionally disturb their lifestyle, and since then, the numbers have remained sketchy.
These dogs are prone to diseases like entropion, arthritis, gastric torsion, and heat tolerance. Plus, they are an extremely territorial species of rare dog.
Eskimo dogs aren’t suitable for children and families because they overreact over minor disturbances.
Height: Female 50-60 cm, Male 58-70 cm
Weight: Female 18-30 kg, Male 30-40 kg
Personality: Affectionate, Intelligent, and Brave
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
8. Dogo Argentino
Dogo Argentino has immense muscle structures and is ideal for big game hunting. Due to their muscular body, the dogs are able to hunt hogs in Asia and South America.
They were first bred in 1928, and their prominent ancestors are the now extinct Great Dane and Cordoba Fighting Dog. They are illegal and banned in Colorado, New York City, and the UK because of their dominant physical traits and are considered among the most dangerous dog breeds.
Their life expectancy is relatively long, but they can have deafness and hip dysplasia, leading to heavy medical bills. The health issue can also increase without regular exercise.
Height: Female 60-65 cm, Male 60-68 cm
Weight: Female 35-40 kg, Male 40-45 kg
Personality: Tolerant, Cheerful, and Protective
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
9. Pharaoh Hound
You’ll probably think that this particular dog species has Egyptian ancestry. But it doesn’t.
It’s named the Pharaoh Hound because it looks very similar to dog paintings of ancient Egypt.
This specific breed is also the national dog of Malta and is renowned as Kelb tal-Fenek, which means ‘rabbit dog’ in Maltese. The dog is used for hunting rabbits in the Maltese Islands.
The Hound is athletic and highly intelligent. They have a high life expectancy but are extremely sensitive to stress, and stress can lead to neurotic issues and severe digestive problems.
The dogs are loyal hounds which are intrinsic to their genetic makeup. If trained well, these are extremely reliable dog species for families and large groups.
Height: Female 53-61 cm, Male 55-63 cm
Weight: Female 18-27 kg, Male 18-27 kg
Personality: Affectionate, Sociable, and Intelligent
Life Expectancy: 11-14 years
10. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hounds are known for being independent and cat-like. They are stunning dogs with long flowing fur-like coats.
The dog originated from the mountains of Afghanistan and is very beautiful. Their long silky coats require daily brushing to keep them tangle-free.
The silky coats are thick, and it keeps them warm to withstand the cold conditions of the Afghan mountain. The medium-sized Hound also combines explosive speed and a panoramic vision to chase down its prey.
The hounds have a long-life expectancy. Their health condition might be costly because they are predisposed to hyperthyroidism and cataract.
Height: Female 60-69 cm, Male 68-74 cm
Weight: Female 26-34 kg, Male 26-34 kg
Personality: Aloof, Clownish, Dignified, and Independent
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
11. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
It’s a rare breed making it an expensive dog, and it is the national dog of Czechoslovakia.
The dog was discovered in 1955 from the crossbreeding of Carpathian Wolves with German Shepherds. It has the wolves’ stamina and mentality of the pack with the German Shepherds’ intelligence.
The cost of the breed is around $50000, but the availability of the dog is very hard.
As they are native to Czechoslovakia, they are not easy to find anywhere. If you wish to acquire the breed, you’ll probably need to visit there yourself.
Height: Female 60 cm, Male 65 cm
Weight: Female 26 kg, Male 30 kg
Personality: Fearless, Sociable, and Lively
Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
12. Akita
Akita is a humongous breed of dog originating from the mountainous region of Japan. There are two varieties of Akita; a Japanese strain and an American strain.
The Japanese strain comes in a limited palette of colors, while the American strain comes in a variety of colors.
The powerful, large, dominant, and independent breed has a character deeply rooted in nobility. At the same time, it can be violent and explosive to evil strangers and are friendly to their owners.
Akitas are extraordinarily strong-willed, and they need their owner to be constant and a firm leader. Otherwise, they won’t obey and walk over you.
Height: Female 60-66 cm, Male 66-72 cm
Weight: Female 31-45 kg, Male 45-58 kg
Personality: Loyal, Affectionate, Aloof, and Territorial
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
13. French Bulldog
The toy dog or companion dog originated in France.
The rare breed appeared in Paris in the 1950s when crossbreeding was done between Toy Bulldogs from England and local Parisian ratters. It’s a compact and stocky dog with a mild-mannered and friendly temperament.
They are another breed that commands an expensive price tag because of their exclusivity and will cost you around $6000.
This breed is infamous for having breeding difficulties because of the narrow hips they possess. Also, they can produce at the most three puppies in one litter. Female bulldogs have been inseminated artificially and have to go through a C-Section.
Height: Female28-30 cm, Male 28-30 cm
Weight: Female 7-10 kg, Male 9-12 kg
Personality: Easygoing, Lively, Patient, and Playful
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
14. Saluki
The Saluki has been another breed of sighthound on this list that’s really expensive. It was once used by the nomadic tribe to hunt animals.
They are thin and graceful and have been admired for their mysterious beauty since 1700 BC in Egypt. The dog is considered ’A gift from Allah’ and was the royalty’s preferred pet.
The Hound is among the priciest and oldest breeds globally. Salukis need plenty of outdoor time, and they love running around.
Just like any other sighthound, these dogs can get bloated if they exercise right after a meal or eat too quickly.
Saluki would cost around $5500, and they do live pretty long.
Height: Female 60 cm, Male 68 cm
Weight: Female 15-20 kg, Male 20-29 kg
Personality: Aloof, Quiet, Intelligent, and Reserved
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
15. Portuguese Water Dog
It’s considered to be one of the most renowned breeds today because of the hypoallergenic coat they possess. The breed originated from the Algarve region of Portugal and is very rare in the United States.
The dog then expanded around Portugal’s coast, where they were taught to retrieve broken or lost nets, herd fish into fishermen’s nets, and a courier for ships to sail.
Grooming can get expensive because of the fur coat and if you opt for the traditional look. Their lifespan is also quite long.
Height: Female 43-52 cm, Male 50-57 cm
Weight: Female 16-23 kg, Male 19-27 kg
Personality: Impetuous, Docile, Intelligent, Quarrelsome, and Brave
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
What Makes A Dog Expensive?
The purebred status of a dog determines the cost. They are usually more prone to health complications over time. Plus, purebreds’ behavior traits are predictable.
The reputable breeders also put a lot of effort into caring for mothers and their puppies while sticking to the strict breeding rules. Good breeders invest in costly health tests to make sure that there are no genetic issues or inbreeding in their litters.
Also, if you want to buy a puppy from a prestigious show dog blood, then prepare to spend a hefty amount of price for it.
Conclusion
A dog is a man’s best friend, and they will do anything for you. No matter whether you adopt from a shelter or buy an expensive dog, make sure to provide them with the best vet and dog insurance policy. It’s your responsibility to make them happy and secure.
