We sure love our dogs around here! We take care of them, spoil them and sometimes we even love them more than other humans. The question is: how much would you be willing to spend on your pup? Americans spend an average of $1,700 per year on their dogs and purebred dogs cost five-times more than mixed breeds. The crazy part is that there is an even more expensive level and we decided to find out which dog breeds are the most expensive to own.
10. AFGHAN HOUND - $7,000
Kicking off our list with the number ten spot is the Afghan Hound ranking at $7,000. Originating from the mountains of Afghanistan, they are well known for being one of the most gorgeous breeds with long silky coats that effortlessly flow. However, they do require daily brushing because it can get easily tangled.
Their average lifespan is anywhere from 10-14 years with some possible costly health conditions like their predisposition to hypothyroidism and cataracts; costing upwards of $3,000.
9. PHARAOH HOUND – $7,500
Translating to “rabbit dog” in Maltese, the Pharaoh Hound is ordinarily used to hunt rabbits in the Maltese Islands. Ranging from 45-55 pounds, they are agile, athletic, highly intelligent and eager to please. They are genetically very loyal which makes them ideal for training to be around families and larger groups.
Although their lifespan ranges from 11-14 years, they are extremely sensitive to stress which can result in neurotic and digestive disorders (costing upwards of $1,500 to treat).
8. DOGO ARGENTINO – $8,000
Dogo Argentinos are one of the most expensive dogs in the world because they were originally bred for big game hunting. They have an impressive stature of muscular structure that allows them to hunt wild hogs in Asia and South America, along with some other areas that don’t practice as frequently.
Their dominant physical traits make it illegal to own one of these doggos in New York City, Colorado and the UK. They were first bred in 1928 and are descendants of the Great Dane and the Cordoba Fighting Dog.
The expectancy of their lifespan is 12-14 years, but they are prone to deafness and hip dysplasia where vet bills may run up to $1,600.
7. CANADIAN ESKIMO DOG – $8,750
As one of the rarest breeds in the entire world, the Canadian Eskimo dog is currently classified as endangered with less than 300 dogs remaining as of 2018. They originate from Siberia and were brought to North America more than 1,000 years ago with a steadily decreasing rate every year since the 1960s.
There was a decline in their numbers because when the snowmobile was invented the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) started to kill them to disrupt their way of life. From 1950-1970 they killed up to 20,000 Canadian Eskimo Dogs and the breed never recovered. We are just as devastated as you are!
They do have some health issues, with gastric torsion, entropion (the eyelid folds over itself), arthritis and intolerance to heat. Since they are super territorial and sensitive to minor disruptions, they don’t do very well with families and children.
6. ROTTWEILER – $9,000
Although Rottweilers are more common among the breeds and initially cost about $1,500 to buy, their vet bills are what lands them on this list. Their pet insurance premiums are the highest of any breed and costs upwards of $300 annually because they are highly inclined to pretty much every single disease or dog ailment particularly with joint and hip issues. Although their life cycles are less in time (8-10 years), they make great family pets because of their obedient and loyal nature.
5. AZAWAKH – $9,500
The Azwakh is one of the newest breeds officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2019 and also one of the most expensive. These slender and nimble beauties are mainly hunting dogs, related to South Indian and Middle Easten hounds originating from West Africa.
Although there are not that many of them in North America, they have been gaining popularity since their official recognition. They are quite fascinating for their super abilities of being able to recover from injuries quickly and they are not prone to hereditary ailments. Their only issues are Wobbler disease and epilepsy; not a given for both though.
With lots of daily exercise and high quality food their lifespan can go up to 15 years. An interesting quirk is that they only exercise in the presence of their owner! No dog walkers; sorry!
4. TIBETAN MASTIFF– $10,000
Finding itself in America, all the way from Tibet, this giant doggie protected sheep from the likes of bears, leopards and wolves. Weighing well over 150 pounds on average (for grown males) it can fend off some of the most intense predators of the animal kingdom.
Their initial use was protection as they are natural guardians but started to become too expensive for their owners which means their breed started to lessen. They are super alert, vigilant and are sharp to protect their family at the drop of a hat.
Although they are fairly healthy, they can be prone to hereditary ailments such as hypothyroidism, eye anomalies, and hip dysplasia.
3. Chow Chow – $11,000
Hailing from northern China, the Chow Chow is one of the rarest and oldest breeds in the entire world. The cost of a Chow Chow is not only in the hefty price tag of the dog itself, but in all of the expenses that come with it: vet bills, grooming appointments, food, treats, toys, and the inevitable health issues totaling to $11,000 for their lifespan.
Their exercise threshold is high maintenance and they need at least four walks each day! Something to consider is that they are very stubborn which makes training difficult. This could negatively impact the relationship between the two of you.
The main health problems can include thyroid dysfunction, elbow and hip dysplasia and eyelid entropion. Their typical life spans from 8-12 years but can be increased with proper care.
2. LÖWCHEN – $12,000
AKA THE “little lion dog,” has been a crowd favorite among Europeans for over 500 years. Originating in France, it was once the rarest dog in the world; in 1973 only 65 were left. As of today, there are only 300 remaining registered LÖWCHENS. .
As one of the most extroverted doggies of all the breeds, they are highly active, playful and make the perfect pups for families; especially with children. They are quite needy and if they are not constantly given attention, they grow to be unhappy. It’s not advisable to leave them alone for long periods of time.
The upfront cost is what will get you, but they are fairly healthy otherwise - so you pretty much know what’s up right from the jump! They can live up to 15 years, so they will be with you for a long time!.
1. SAMOYED– $14,000
The Samoyed is the most expensive dog by far and it comes from Siberia, like our Canadian Eskimo friends. A very rare breed known for their loving temperament, kind nature and eager to please attitudes. They are major smilers too and are travelers by nature, so their instincts have them running away to roam free for a while. Make sure to keep that leash on! They are perfect for families because they are very fun, social, mischievous and need attention. They are expensive to purchase but even more so due to their health issues ranging from heart disorders, autoimmune issues, and corneal dystrophy that can reach up to $5,000!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this run down of some of the most expensive dogs! Don’t just wait around for our blog posts, follow us on Instagram @petlox for quicker updates!