The 10 most expensive dog breeds in the world

There are surprisingly many great and also expensive dog breeds. The cost of a dog can vary greatly. Some dog breeds are particularly sought after because of their appearance, rarity or characteristics. That lets the prices partly rise up to five-digit ranges or even higher.

Of course, the price of a dog depends not only on the breed, but also on the age, the pedigree, as well as the breeder, health and sometimes special training or prizes won. Also from country to country the cost can be quite different.

We now show you the ten most expensive dog breeds in the world. So be curious!

Table of Contents

10. Akita

Akita profile

Native to Japan, the Akita Inu is considered an independent dog that requires some experience in handling. It has a dense coat, thick triangular ears and carries its tail curled. At present there is a great demand for this breed, but not many serious breeders. As a result, the price of an Akita, as well as other Japanese spitz-like breeds, is relatively high, usually between $1500 and $4000.

9. German Shepherd Dog

German shepherd dog lies

The German Shepherd is a true classic, which is often used as a service dog, for example, by the police. Due to its distinct learning ability, the strong and persistent dog is often trained as a search dog, for example. The better his training, the higher his price, of course. For individual adult, well-trained dogs, prices are sometimes demanded up to the five-digit range.

8. Rottweiler

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler's strong body and confident nature make him a good service or protection dog. With the right training, the Rottweiler is also a good family dog. If puppies of the average breed are sold at "normal" prices from about $1,500, a well-trained Rottweiler that has already passed tests will cost considerably more.

 

7. Chow Chow

Chow chow happy

The fluffy Chow-Chow, with its distinctive bluish tongue, comes in two coat lengths and various coat colors from black to cream, but always solid. This ancient breed, which originated in China, is considered to be headstrong (some describe it as stubborn) and can serve well as a watchdog, for example. However, many Chow owners also keep them for their bear-like appearance. But beware: the Chow-Chow is not a playful cuddler and definitely not a dog for beginners. It needs training, respect for its independent character, and grooming. From reputable breeders, prices for a Chow-Chow often start at $2000 USD. With award-winning parents, they can sometimes go up to 8000 USD.

6. Samoyed

Samoyed sideways

The Samoyed is a Russian-born Spitz that is also used as a sled dog. It also needs a lot of training and exercise. This medium-sized dog is characterized by its soft, thick coat, which can have different light color variations. The most sought after, however, are the pure white animals from old Siberian breeds, which can cost up to $9000 USD. Other types of Spitz that are more suitable as family dogs, such as the Pomeranian Dwarf Spitz, are currently enjoying great popularity.

5. Eskimo dog

american eskimo dog

The Eskimo dog is another of the breeds used as sled dogs. In their native land, the Inuit, they were also used for other tasks such as hunting and guarding. They are very rare in this country and hard to get, so they are expensive. It must be said that due to their adaptation to arctic areas and their need to work and move, they are not suitable as a domestic or simple family dog.

4. Saluki

Saluki 6 e1559376377981

The Saluki, which originated in Persia (as well as other special sighthound breeds such as the African Azawakh), is also one of the most expensive dog breeds. Fast sight hunters, they are considered calm, sensitive and very elegant. A puppy from a breeder costs from 2500 USD. If the parents come from famous Arabian breeding lines, it can be 10,000 USD and more.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

cavalier king charles spaniel 2

At about 30 inches tall, the handsome Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the smallest on this list. It is a happy dog that is usually not difficult to train and makes a good family dog. Unfortunately, because the breed has been bred for its cute appearance over the past few centuries, there are many breeding/hereditary diseases. 

You can find Cavalier King Charles puppies from 1500 USD. Because of the risk of buying a dog with hereditary defects, you should go to a premium breeder if you are interested in this breed. Here you have the best chance of getting a vital dog because of the numerous health checks. However, you will have to pay a lot more. One hears of prices up to 14,000 USD.

Crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Poodle ("Cavapoo") is one of the most popular and expensive dogs today. In this case, however, it is not possible to speak of a true pedigree dog. Such mixtures are often called hybrid breeds (see Labradoodle).

2. Pharao dog

Pharaoh dog 2

Originating in Malta, this elegant hunting dog, whose noble appearance is reminiscent of the Egyptian god Anubis, is considered the ancestor of the Spanish Podenco, which, like the Pharaoh's Hound, is also used to hunt rabbits. It has a short, smooth coat with reddish tones, light pigmentation, pricked ears and a long muzzle. It is a fast runner and has an overall graceful appearance. Since the recognized pedigree dog is really rare, prices of 6000 USD are not uncommon.

1. Tibet Mastiff

Do Khyi sleeps

Number 1 on the list of most expensive dog breeds in the world is the Tibetan Mastiff, also known as the Tibetan Mastiff or Do Khyi. This guard dog breed from the Himalayas has a lion-like majesty due to its size and strength, as well as its imposing, dense coat. Specimens bred in Tibetan monasteries as guard dogs command very high prices and are considered a status symbol by wealthy Asians. A few years ago, a male Tibetan Mastiff changed hands for the incredible sum of approximately $1.4 million USD.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the true value of a dog is not determined by its breed or purchase price, but by its temperament. There are many interesting dog breeds and it is nice to have a special dog. However, one should never consider a sentient being as a status symbol. 

If you want to use a dog for a special service, it may make sense to purchase a high-priced dog of a very specific breed and breeding.

But one should not forget that also in the shelters many dogs are waiting for a nice home!

Picture of Verfasst von Claudia Weise
Written by Claudia Weise

I'm editor-in-chief at Hundeo and when it comes to dogs, my heart beats faster. My goal is to publish the best dog guides on the web. There is a lot of passion in every article and I welcome any feedback to constantly improve our content.

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