Pet care is anything but cheap. According to the American Kennel Club, the lifetime cost for small dogs, which have an average life expectancyof 15 years, is approximately$15,051, whilelarge dogs, which have an average life expectancy of 10 years,have a lifetime cost of $14,480.
Other estimates tell a different story. According to Forbes,the lifetime cost of a dog can be anywhere between $17,650 a year to a shocking$93,520, depending on size, breedand care required.
But what about from the beginning? How much do some pups cost if you're looking to purchase rather than rescue? We haveyou covered on what is the most expensive dog, plus other pricey pooches.
What is the most expensive dog?
The Tibetan mastiff is considered the most expensive dog, as it has sold for thousands and even millions. In 2014, aTibetan mastiff puppy was sold for nearly $2 million in China, according to AFP, which cited a report in Chinese newspaperQianjiang Evening News.
The dog was sold at a premium pet fair in the eastern province of Zhejiang for 12 million yuan, around $1.95 million, to a property developer. The pupwas 80 centimeters(31 inches) tall and weighed 90 kilograms (nearly 200 pounds).
This wasn't the first time this breed of dog had a high price ticket. In 2011, another Tibetan mastiff puppysold for $1.5 million, according to NBC News, which reported the animal was the most expensive dog sold at the time.
According to the AKC, the Tibetan mastiff is a "watchful, aloof, imposing, and intimidating" working breed and affectionate with family, yet distant to strangers.
On average, males of the breed can weigh between 90 to 150 pounds, while females weigh 70 to 120 pounds. The minimum heights for a Tibetan mastiff are 26 inches for males and 24 inches for females.
What are the top 10 most expensive dogs?
Fetching for a high price tag? Here are the top 10 most expensive dogs and their average prices, according to Reader's Digest:
- Tibetan mastiff ($3,000 to $5,000)
- Black Russian terrier ($3,000 to $5,000)
- Samoyed ($2,500 to $5,000)
- French bulldog ($2,500 to $4,000)
- Löwchen($2,500 to $4,000)
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel($2,500 to $3,500)
- Bernese mountain dog ($2,500 to $3,500)
- Biewer terrier($2,500 to $3,500)
- Staffordshire bull terrier($2,000 to $3,000)
- St. Bernard ($1,500 to $3,500)
What is the least expensive dog?
Not all pooches cost hundreds or thousands. If you rescue a dog, adoption fees can range from $50 to $500 with anaverage fee of $300, according to rescuepets101.com.
The North Shore Animal League America breaks down its adoption fees:
- Puppies (up to 6 months): $350
- Adult dogs (over 6 months): $100
- Puppy mill rescues (over 6 months): $250
- Small breed and pure breeds (over 6 months): $250
Just curious for more? We've got you covered
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FAQs
Pet me? You can't afford me. Meet the most expensive dog in the world? ›
What is the most expensive dog? The Tibetan
1. Tibet Mastiff. 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.
What dog cost $1 million dollars? ›But you can buy man's best friend - for a cool $1.5 million. That's the price a Chinese business tycoon paid for a purebred Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash, now the most expensive dog in the world.
What is the most expensive dog on earth? ›Their huge size may be intimidating but they're actually very mellow and affectionate. They're also one of the most expensive breeds you can find, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. The most expensive dog ever sold was a red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash going for some $1.5 million!
What dog cost $5,000? ›An Egyptian Pharaoh hound puppy costs about $5,000. The Thailand Ridgeback is among the 10 most expensive dog breeds because it's the rarest registered dog breed in America .
What dog cost $10 000? ›Tibetan Mastiff – $10,000
While they were initially used as guardians and protectors, they became too expensive for their owners to maintain and they slowly began to vanish.
Tibetan Mastiff
If the price of a dog were based on weight, pound for pound, the Tibetan Mastiff would be a front runner for sure. Case in point, a Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash is the most expensive dog ever sold. His new owner shelled out some $1.5 million to take home a then 11-month-old, 180-pound puppy.
A 2021 article published on Yahoo's finance site listed these 30 least expensive dog breeds and their estimated average purchase prices: Manchester Terrier $600. Schipperke $650. Irish Terrier $650.
What dog has lion blood? ›Tibetan mastiffs are rare and revered for their unique appearance. So much so that in 2014, a Chinese businessman paid $1.9 million for the dog, according to the New York Post. The breeder told the Post: "They have lion's blood and are top-of-the-range mastiff studs."
What dog was sold for $2 million dollars? ›Meet the '$2 Million' Dog
This picture taken on March 18, 2014 shows an unidentified man posing for a photo with two Tibetan mastiffs after they were sold at a 'luxury pet' fair in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province.
What is the number 1 cutest dog? ›
| Rank | Dog Breed |
|---|---|
| 1 | Old English Sheepdog |
| 2 | English Cocker Spaniel |
| 3 | Dachshund |
| 4 | English Bulldog |
Ashera Cat | >$125,000
The Ashera cat is considered the most expensive cat breed in the world, with prices reaching up to $100,000 or more. This is due to its rarity and the fact that it is a hybrid breed, created by breeding an African serval, an Asian leopard cat, and a domestic house cat.
A national symbol of Mexico, the Chihuahua takes the top spot for the most affordable and budget-friendly dog breed in the world mostly on account of its small size.
Is there a dog worth 400 million dollars? ›Meet Gunther VI: The German Shepherd With A $400+ Million Net Worth. Countess Korlotta Liebenstein had no children or close relatives, so she left her fortune to her dog, Gunther III. When Gunther III passed away, the fortune was passed on to his descendants. Now, Gunther VI is now the richest dog in the world.
What dogs cost $8000? ›Azawakh. Comparatively a newer breed but yet one of the costliest ones, the Azawakh costs around $8000-$8500 along with its lifetime vet fees. These West African dogs are a hunting type and are distinct relatives to Middle Eastern and South Indian hounds.
What is the #1 owned dog? ›| Rank | Breed |
|---|---|
| 1 | French Bulldogs |
| 2 | Labrador Retrievers |
| 3 | Golden Retrievers |
| 4 | German Shepherd Dogs |
German Countess Korlotta Liebenstein died in 1992 and left her $80 million fortune to her German Shepherd Gunther III.
What dog cost $2,000? ›Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound's steep $2,000 to $2,500 purchase price makes it one of the most expensive dogs to own. This breed has a life span of up to 16 years and both of its coat types -- smooth and wire -- are easy to groom, costing an average of $40.