10 Of The Most Expensive Dog Breeds You Can Buy

Reviewed By Julie •  Updated: 06/02/20 •  11 min read
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Dogs are known to be man’s best friend, and some people are willing to pay a hefty sum for their company. While you can get dogs for free from shelters, or from some breeders, many people prefer to pay for a pedigree dog from a reputable breeder.

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The main reason some breeds are more expensive is due to their rarity. As with anything, the demand for these breeds hikes their price up. Also, you’ll find that the more generations of pedigree a dog has, the more a breeder will charge for them. After all, you’re paying for a good lineage. Pedigree dogs will be registered with the breed’s kennel club, so make sure you check this out before paying lots of money for them. So in case you were wondering, here is a list of the 10 most expensive dog breeds. Make sure to check our list of posh dog names while you are at it!

1. Samoyed (up to $10,000)

Samoyeds aren’t that well known, but these beautiful animals are quite similar to Huskies, but with much fluffier coats. They’re very friendly and playful, and this makes them perfect for having around other dogs, and children. They were originally bred as reindeer herders, and come from Siberia. This means they have very thick coats, and so might not be suitable for warmer climates. They’re also known to be prolific diggers, so make sure you’re happy to have your garden torn apart. That said, if they get plenty of exercise and company they should be perfectly happy.

Samoyeds are typically medium-sized dogs, and their thick coat is double-layered for insulation. They have very emotive faces and always look like they’re smiling. Samoyeds have white coats, and will shed them at least twice a year, although this will depend on the local climate. It’s a hypoallergenic breed even though it does shed, but take care if you have very serious allergies. This amount of shedding means they require regular grooming, so consider this commitment if you’re thinking of getting one.

A Samoyed will typically cost as much as $10,000, mainly due to their rarity outside of Russia.

2. Chow Chow (up to $8,500)

Chow Chows come from northern China, and is possibly the inspiration for the stone guardians outside of Buddhist temples (even though the statues are actually lions). The Chow Chow can be traced back as far as 2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest breeds in existence. It was bred as a working dog, and was used for hunting, herding, and guarding. They are friendly towards their owners, but can be wary of strangers. Chow Chows typically don’t need loads of exercise, and so can be kept in an apartment. However, they do require attention to keep them amused.

They are typically medium-sized, stocky dogs, with a very dense and fluffy coat. They come in a variety of colors, including red, gold, black, and blue, with some colors being more expensive than others. They have curly tails, and usually have blue tongues. Their fur is very thick and will require regular grooming to keep it looking nice. They’re expensive due to their rarity, and as mentioned some colors are significantly more than others. The typical color is fawn or cream, but some black or blue dogs can cost up to $8,500.

3. Rottweiler ($7,000)

Rottweilers originally come from Rottweil, Germany, and have long been the public face of scary guard dogs. Contrary to this image, they’re incredibly friendly and playful animals. It’s important to socialize them with other dogs from an early age because they can develop some bad traits if you don’t. Rottweilers are typically large dogs, although some breeders have bred them to be slightly smaller. They make great family pets, and get on well with other animals, and children.

Rottweilers were originally bred as livestock herding animals, and can trace their lineage back to the Roman Empire. This makes them one of the oldest dog breeds in existence, and they’ve changed very little in all that time. The traits required as a herding animal make them a popular choice as guard dogs, and as police dogs. Rather than paying a breeder, please consider adopting a retired police dog. They are broad, stocky dogs, typically with black and tan coats. They are also incredibly strong, so be careful when walking them. Although Rottweilers are quite common, a pedigree dog could set you back as much as $7,000.

4. Tibetan Mastiff (up to $7,000)

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds ever, and can reach up to 33 inches in height! They were originally bred by nomadic tribes in areas such as Tibet, China, and Mongolia, and were used to protect livestock from wild animals such as bears and wolves. Tibetan Mastiffs have been used by nomads for thousands of years, and have barely changed in all that time. They’re incredibly loyal dogs, and make great companions.

Typically, Tibetan Mastiffs have long coats that are usually black and brown. It’s considered a “primitive” breed because it still retains characteristics that make it suitable for survival in cold mountainous regions. Its coat is double-layered, and doesn’t require as much grooming as other longhaired dogs. This is because it naturally sheds dirt and odor, although it’ll still benefit from a good brushing.

Tibetan Mastiffs are expensive due to their rarity outside of their native territory, and a purebred one will cost up to $7,000.

5. German Shepherd ($6,500)

Another German entry on the list, the German Shepherd is a very well-known and popular breed. They’re very intelligent animals, and can be trained very easily. This makes them a perfect choice for police and military dogs, but also makes them excellent family pets. They’re great around children and other animals, but should be properly trained from an early age to avoid developing bad habits. They’re a good choice for a service dog, and their popularity and reputation means any intruder will avoid your house like the plague. Once again, we really recommend adopting a retired service dog rather than going to a breeder.

Unsurprisingly, German Shepherds were bred to herd sheep. As far as dog breeds go, they’re relatively new, and can trace their origin back to 1899. They are typically large dogs with black and tan coats. They’re a very popular breed across the world, and you’ll be able to find them quite cheap from certain breeders. However, you’ll pay more for a dog that comes from a good working stock, or from show winning parents. A German Shepherd with a good pedigree lineage will cost you up to $6,500.

6. Akita ($4,500)

Akitas originally come from Japan, but there are now two distinct breeds recognized worldwide. There’s the original Japanese Akita, and the newer American Akita. They have a fun temperament and are very friendly with their family, but they can be reserved and defensive towards strangers. This makes them quite good guard dogs, although they’re not known to be aggressive. They’re known to be intolerant of dogs of the same sex, so bare this in mind if you plan on buying one to keep with an existing dog.

Akitas are known to be very independent and dominant dogs, and so you should start training them at an early age. They’re very intelligent and pick up training easily, but also choose to ignore it at times. They should be socialized with other dogs from an early age to avoid bad traits, and you should take care letting them off the leash, as they can be unpredictable at times. Both breeds of Akita can sell for high prices, but the purebred Japanese Akita is the most expensive, especially outside of Japan. You’d expect to pay up to $4,500 for one.

7. Lowchen (at least $3,000)

Lowchens are considered toy dogs in some countries, and are very small. They have a similar appearance to the Maltese, and they can trace their lineage as far back as the 15th Century. They’re very friendly, happy dogs, and make a great choice for family pets. They were bred as companion dogs, and so have all the typical traits you’d expect from such an animal. Because of this, they’re fine to be kept with children, but shouldn’t be left on their own for too long as they’ll get anxious.

Lowchens have long flowing coats that require a lot of upkeep. One typical way that owners deal with this is to give them a lion cut, which means they have their back end shaved and the rest of their coat trimmed. They make excellent show dogs, although they need to be trained from an early age to make them obedient enough. Lowchens are so expensive because of their rarity. They were once considered the rarest dog in the world, and there are only ever a few hundred registered every year. This means you’ll pay a minimum of $3,000 for one, but this could be more depending on how many have been registered that year.

8. Azawakh (at least $3,000)

Azawakhs originally come from West Africa, and were bred as livestock guardians and hunting dogs. They have a similar appearance to Greyhounds, and are incredibly athletic. They were originally bred by nomadic tribes in the area, and unlike many other hunting dogs, they hunt using pack mentality. They’re relatively rare outside of Africa, and are one of very few African breeds found in America. Due to their history as guard dogs, they’re very loyal to their owners, but are still quite independent. They aren’t known to be aggressive, and so are fine to have around children.

Typically, Azawakhs are tall, sleek dogs that are very athletic. They have incredibly high endurance, and so need lots of exercise. They dislike cold and rainy weather; so bare this in mind if you’re thinking of buying one. The breed standard of color is usually sand to dark brown, with various white markings. They’re expensive due to their rarity, and you’d expect to pay at least $3,000 for a purebred.

9. Egyptian Pharaoh Hound (up to $3,000)

Possibly one of the most misleading names ever given to a dog breed, these dogs actually originate in Malta. Their name comes from the fact that they look very similar to dogs depicted in ancient Egyptian paintings. They can trace their history back to the 17th Century, and were bred as hunting dogs. They are incredibly intelligent animals, and can be trained very easily. Despite their hunting nature, they are very friendly with humans, and can be kept with children.

Egyptian Pharaoh Hounds look very regal, and have long, sleek bodies. They’re very strong and athletic, and require lots of exercise to keep them healthy and amused. Their coat is very short and silky, and comes in a variety of red-toned browns. They usually have white markings, although this will depend on their heritage. If you are into everything Egyptian, checkout our best Egyptian dog names list for some cool ideas! They’re quite rare outside of Malta; hence the price tag, and they haven’t gone through as much selective breeding as some popular breeds. Their rarity means you’d expect to pay at least $3,000 for one.

10. English Bulldog (up to $3,000)

English Bulldogs have long been a popular dog, and are known for their recognizable faces and playful personality. English Bulldogs have been around in one form or another since the 16th Century, and have a longstanding association with British culture. Their name comes from their use in bull baiting, but this trait has long been bred out of them. They’re friendly and playful animals, and make great family pets.

English Bulldogs are known for their wide stance and squished, wrinkly face. While this is a popular look among many dog owners, it does lead to a wide range of health conditions. They’re known as brachycephalic, which means they have very short noses. This leads them to have breathing issues, and means they can overheat very easily. They are also known to suffer from heart conditions and hip dysplasia due to generations of inbreeding. While a pedigree English Bulldog can cost as much as £3,000, the cost of medical bills over the course of the dog’s life will easily double this amount.

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Julie

Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.

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