Your own dog is priceless, that’s for sure! But what about other dogs?
We introduce you to 10 expensive dog breeds and their specialities. You’ll discover some rare breeds and get to know special breeding lines.
Plus, the most expensive dog in the world awaits you!
Take a guess – and then scroll down to find out.
10 expensive dog breeds at a glance
There are dog breeds that are very rare and have few breeding animals – here the price for puppies quickly skyrockets.
But adult dogs from well-known breeds can also cost a lot if they have undergone special training.
Attention:
You can sometimes buy puppies of expensive dog breeds for lower prices on the internet. You should keep your hands off them, as they are often raised in a way that is contrary to animal welfare and are ill.
What you save now, you will have to pay later in vet costs. Therefore, only buy your puppy from recognised breeders.
Peruvian naked dog
Price: approx. 3000 €
Let’s start with a bizarre member of the dog family – the Peruvian Hairless Dog.
The name says it all: Naked dogs have no fur! However, they are not completely naked – the Peruvian Hairless Dog has a light coat on its head, paws and the tip of its tail.
The breed has been bred in Peru for centuries as a courageous farm and guard dog. It shows off its skin in many colours, including multi-coloured or speckled.
They are very sociable, enjoy human company and like to sunbathe. Light-skinned specimens in particular can also get sunburnt. Sound familiar? Then apply sun cream to your naked dog when you’re chilling in the sun!
Good to know:
There are also hairy naked dogs. This may seem contradictory, but it serves to keep the breed healthy. The nakedness is due to a „deliberate“ genetic defect.
Akita Inu
Price: € 1,200 to € 4,500
The Japanese Akita Inu is said to have accompanied the samurai in the past – no wonder, it is considered vigilant, self-confident, independent and courageous.
There are records mentioning Akitas as early as the 2nd century. This makes it one of the original type of dogs. In 1931, they were declared a natural heritage of Japan and were banned from being sold abroad until 1945.
The dense coat and curled tail give it a cuddly appearance, but be careful – the Aktia Inu needs an experienced carer, otherwise it will set itself up as pack leader.
In Europe, the demand for Japanese Spitz breeds has increased, but there are not yet many breeders, which means that puppy prices are rising. In addition to the Akita, the smaller Shiba Inu is also popular.
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Price: approx. 5000 €
The Canadian Eskimo Dog has been bred for 4000 years as a specialised working dog of the Inuit.
They are still used today as sled dogs, and in the past also as hunting and guard dogs – and all this in the extreme Arctic environment.
The Eskimo dog is very rare here and is therefore one of the most expensive dog breeds.
There is a reason for its rarity: due to its adaptation to the extreme environment of the Arctic and its very high work drive, the Eskimo dog is not suitable as an ordinary house or flat dog.
Eskimo dogs are pack-orientated, but also strongly attached to their humans. They feel most comfortable outside in cold temperatures.
And they are real powerhouses: in their native Canada, they could pull up to 80kg over a distance of 200km.
Pharaoh dog
Price: Up to €6000
The noble silhouette is said to be reminiscent of the Egyptian god of the dead, Anubis – yet the pharaoh dog is a very friendly and affectionate four-legged friend.
As a rabbit hunting specialist, its hunting instinct should not be underestimated, and its independence makes it difficult to let it run free. Nevertheless, exercise must be provided, otherwise the dog gods become moody.
There are many Pharaoh Hounds in Malta, but at least some of them have papers. A Pharaoh dog from registered breeding costs its price and is therefore considered an expensive dog breed.
Chow Chow
Price: Up to 8500 €
The „bears from China“ are easily recognised by their blue tongue. Like other Spitz breeds, it carries its tail curled over its back.
The opulent coat is long, soft and padded with a lot of undercoat – he doesn’t want to reach in there. But be careful, a Chow Chow is not a cuddly toy!
They are considered proud, wilful and not very playful.
Chow Chows are suitable as guard dogs, as they bond with a maximum of two carers and tend to be suspicious of other people.
Their almost stoic calmness is impressive. They prefer to go on
they prefer to go for leisurely walks and spend their time sniffing around. Dog sports or jogging? No thanks!
But even the cosy bearskin still has a hunting instinct. You should only let your Chow Chow run free if he is well trained.
Lion
Price: Up to €9,000
The little lion certainly doesn’t owe its name to its imposing size – with a maximum height of 36 cm, it is the smallest dog on this list.
The name is inspired by the typical shearing process used to shorten the long coat from the waist upwards. This creates the chic lion look.
French lapdogs were popular as aristocratic companions in the Middle Ages, but when their popularity declined, the breed almost died out.
Now there are some breeding animals again and prices for puppies start at €1,400, which is only just above average. However, a lot of money is still paid for dogs with rare characteristics or prize-winning adult dogs.
Samoyed
Price: up to € 11,000
The medium-sized sled dog from Russia is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
The northern Siberian ethnic group of the same name also valued their dogs as family members. They were allowed to spend the night in the tent as „bed warmers“.
The Samoyed combines its imposing appearance with a headstrong character, which can make training a challenge.
Samoyeds have soft, opulent fur in various light shades of colour.
Normal Samoyeds are no more expensive than other dog breeds. However, there is an old Siberian breeding line that produces pure white Samoyeds.
For an animal with this pedigree, you will have to dig deep into your pockets.
Saluki
Price: up to €12,000
The Persian greyhound is rare and therefore an expensive dog breed. If you are also interested in certain Arabian lines, you need to bring a full wallet.
Saluki have been bred and admired for six millennia. And rightly so: their elegance is undeniable, they wear all colours and are considered calm and sensitive. As sight hunters, however, they are also fast and independent.
In the past, the animals were considered too valuable and tradition forbade the buying or selling of Salukis. Salukis could only change hands as a gift of honour. The Saluki also came to Europe as such a gift of honour.
Good to know:
Salukis like to „sing“ with their human pack. They howl at different pitches when you play an instrument, sing – and sometimes even when you play music.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Price: up to €20,000
This sweet four-legged friend has long, silky hair and is not just an asset to a royal family.
His cheerful, even-tempered nature and easy trainability make him ideal as a family dog. He is also very sociable, open and polite with other dogs.
You can buy an ordinary Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy for as little as €1,500. Unfortunately, there are many hereditary and breeding diseases, even among reputable breeders, due to show breeding.
It is therefore worth looking for a premium breeder. And for a puppy from a „premium breeding programme“, a royal sum quickly becomes due.
Tibetan Mastiff
Price: €2,200 to €7,000 in Europe, up to €1.4 million in Asia
Curtain up for the most expensive dog in the world!
In 2014, the Tibetan Mastiff „Dazhewang“ changed hands for the equivalent of around €1.5 million. Translated, the name means something like „great lion king “ – and that fits. Dazhewang is golden in colour, 80 cm high and weighs 90 kg.
Tibetan Mastiffs, also known as Do Khyi, were bred in Tibetan monasteries as guard and herd protection dogs.
Legend has it that Genghis Khan and Buddha also owned a Tibetan Mastiff.
The massive shape of these huge animals and their imposing lion’s mane make them a status symbol in Asia today, which drives the price there to astronomical heights.
If you want to get a Do Khyi in our part of the world (and don’t value special breeding lines), you can buy puppies at normal prices.
Good to know:
The health of these strong-nerved dogs is often even better in this country than in the Himalayas, as the rule there is: the bulkier, the higher the price. Unfortunately, this does not contribute to healthy breeding.
Expensive working dogs
The dogs listed so far are expensive because they originate from rare breeding lines, have special characteristics, are regarded as status symbols or demand exceeds supply.
However, there are also expensive dogs whose price only rises in adulthood because they have undergone special training.
The strong, fearless and gentle Rottweiler is often trained as a service, protection or rescue dog. Prices for a well-trained Rottweiler can reach up to €8,000.
Sheepdogs are probably one of the most popular and best-known dog breeds and are relatively cheap to buy due to their prevalence. These intelligent, strong-nerved and docile dogs are used worldwide as service dogs by the military and police. A shepherd dog trained here can cost up to €20,000, making it one of the most expensive dogs in Europe.
