Dogs have become the most valuable possessions for a lot of individuals, which is why they go as far as insuring them. They get all the adoration and affection. But how far would you go to get your puppy? For starters, Americans spend an average of $1,675 per year on their dog, regardless of breed, and purebred dogs cost five times more than mutts or mixed dogs. While that may appear to be a lot, there are far more expensive dogs available than purebreds, and the following are the top most expensive dog breeds to own in 2023.
Most Expensive Dog Breeds in 2023
The following covers some of the most expensive dog breeds in 2023 and what you should know about them.
Samoyed – $14,000
Samoyeds are the most expensive dog breed.
The Samoyed, which originated in Siberia, ranks first overall for the most expensive dog in the world. Along with their smiling faces, the rare breed is known for its kind, loving, and eager to please attitude.
The world’s most expensive dog has a strong instinct to run away and roam for miles on end, so keep them on a leash at all times. They’re also brilliant, social, and mischievous dogs who always want to be noticed, making them ideal for families with children.
Löwchen – ($12,000)
Löwchen is the second most expensive dog breed.
The Löwchen, also known as the “little lion dog,” has been popular among Europeans for over 500 years, having originated in France. It was once the world’s rarest dog in 1973, when only 65 were left in the world; today, only 300 dogs are registered each year worldwide.
The Löwchen is also one of the world’s most outgoing dogs; they’re very active and playful, making them ideal for families and children. That being said, they require constant human attention; they are unhappy when left alone for long periods of time.
While it is not the most expensive dog in the world, these little dogs are surprisingly healthy, so you will not go into debt paying for their health issues, but the issue is the puppy’s initial cost. Löwchens live for 13-15 years, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Chow Chow ($11,000)
Chow Chow is the third most expensive dog breed.
The Chow Chow originated in northern China and is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds. The dog is expensive to purchase, but the costs of owning a Chow Chow do not stop there. You’ll rack up bills for food, treats, vet bills, grooming, and health issues, which can add up to around $11,000 over the course of their life.
They necessitate regular exercise, such as four or more walks per day. The breed is also naturally stubborn, which can affect trainability and potentially harm your relationship with your pup.
Chow Chows’ primary health issues include eyelid entropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, and thyroid function. The average life expectancy is 8-12 years, but this can be extended with proper care.
Tibetan Mastiff – $10,000
Tibetan Mastiff is the fourth most expensive dog breed.
This enormous doggo came to America from Tibet, where it protected sheep from predators such as wolves, leopards, and bears. Mastiffs can weigh more than 150 pounds as adults and can defend themselves against some of the most powerful animals.
While they were initially used as guardians and protectors, they eventually became too expensive for their owners to maintain and began to fade away. The breed is extremely alert and will protect your family at all times.
Tibetan Mastiffs are generally healthy, but they are susceptible to hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye anomalies. Feel free to have them tested on a regular basis.
Azawakh – $9,500
Azawakh is the fifth most expensive dog breed.
The Azawakh, as one of the newest breeds in 2019, is also one of the most expensive. They originated in West Africa and were primarily used as hunting dogs. They are related to Middle Eastern and South Indian hounds.
The breed is rare in North America, but it is gaining popularity since the AKC recognized it in early 2019. Azawakhs, as hunting dogs, recover quickly from injuries and have few hereditary conditions; they only have epilepsy or Wobbler disease.
Azawakh has an average lifespan of 12-15 years with proper pet care and daily walks or runs. They only exercise when their owner is present, so they’ll keep you in shape as well!
Rottweiler ($9,000)
Rottweiler is the sixth most expensive dog breed.
This one may surprise some people because Rottweilers are a more common breed than the rest of the pups on this list. While they aren’t particularly expensive to purchase (typically $1,500 at first), they can quickly rack up vet bills due to health issues.
The breed is extremely susceptible to almost every disease and/or cancer in dogs, particularly hip and joint problems, which is why they have the highest pet insurance claims of any breed. Dog insurance for Rottweilers can cost more than $300 per year, with claims costing even more.
Their lifespan is also significantly shorter than that of other dogs, ranging from 8 to 10 years. However, because of their loyalty and obedience to their owners, they make excellent family pets.
Canadian Eskimo Dog – $8,750
The Canadian Eskimo dog is one of the world’s rarest breeds, and it is on the verge of extinction, with fewer than 300 dogs left in 2018. They were introduced to North America from Siberia over 1,000 years ago and have been declining since the 1960s.
Their numbers declined primarily as a result of the invention of the snowmobile and the 1950-1970 RCMP dog killings. The Canadian Police killed up to 20,000 Canadian Eskimo Dogs in order to deliberately disrupt the dogs’ way of life, and the breed has never recovered.
Gastric torsion, entropion (where the eyelid folds over itself), heat intolerance, and arthritis are also common in the breed. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are also known to be very territorial and to overreact to minor disturbances, making them unsuitable for families with children.
Dogo Argentinos – $8,000
Dogo Argentinos are among the most expensive dogs in the world due to their muscular stature. They were originally developed for big game hunting. The doggo’s muscular body enables it to hunt wild hogs, primarily in South America and Asia.
The Dogo Argentino’s primary ancestors are the now-extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog and the Great Dane. It is illegal to own due to their dominant physical characteristics in the United Kingdom, Colorado, and New York City.
Their life expectancy is 12-14 years, but they can develop hip dysplasia and deafness, which can result in vet bills of up to $1,600. However, without regular daily exercise, health problems can worsen, as can vet bills.
Pharaoh Hound – $7,500
The Pharaoh Hound, which means “rabbit dog” in Maltese, is commonly used to hunt rabbits in the Maltese Islands. These dogs are highly intelligent and athletic, weighing between 45 and 55 pounds.
The breed has an average life expectancy of 11-14 years but is extremely sensitive to stress. Stress can cause serious digestive and neurotic problems that can cost more than $1,500 to treat. The positive aspect of their genetic makeup is that they are loyal hounds who can be well-trained for families and larger groups.
Afghan Hound – $7,000
With their flowing coats and curly tails, the Afghan Hound hails from Afghanistan’s mountains and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful dogs. Their long silky coats become tangled so easily that they require daily hair brushing.
Hounds have an average lifespan of 10-14 years, and their health issues may cost you more money. They’re prone to cataracts and hypothyroidism, which can cost up to $3,000, raising the price of this pup even higher.
The Tibetan Mastiff – $3,000
Although Tibetan Mastiffs can weigh more than 100 pounds, they are pretty agile and quick in the face of a potential threat.
The Tibetan Mastiffs are one of the most expensive dog breeds in some countries. Puppies from this breed cost around $3,000 and live for 10-12 years. These majestic, fluffy dogs require frequent grooming, which costs around $70 per visit. While their large size provides good protection, it also causes health problems such as hip dysplasia, seizures, autoimmune diseases, and inherited demyelinating neuropathy. Veterinary visits for situations like these can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, not including surgery.
While purebred dogs are popular for various reasons and are among the most expensive dogs to purchase, adoption services are a better option for breeders because these dogs have been abandoned or given up due to unforeseen circumstances. Adopted dogs are less expensive and have already covered their medical expenses for initial examinations. If you are going to use a breeder, make sure they are reputable, provide early health checks to young puppies, and be aware of any health issues that may arise in the litter.
Portuguese Water Dog – $2,500
Portuguese Water Dogs can dive as deep as 12 feet when chasing fish! Their muscular bodies and webbed feet act like flippers to propel them through the water.
While more expensive to buy than Black Russian Terriers (around $2,500), Portuguese water dogs do not typically require as much healthcare, making them slightly less expensive to own. These dogs, once again, require grooming and live for 12-15 years.
Black Russian Terrier – $2,000
In the 1950s, the Soviet Union introduced Black Russian Terriers.
Black Russian Terriers follow the great Tibetan Mastiff. Puppies can cost up to $2,000, and adult dogs require grooming and wellness visits regularly. These dogs typically develop ocular and orthopaedic health issues, such as elbow dysplasia, which necessitates increased veterinary visit costs later in life.
Irish Wolfhound – $1,900
The Irish Wolfhound was originally bred to hunt big game.
Members of this breed, despite their size, make excellent family pets. However, puppies cost around $1,900, and grooming costs for such a large dog are high. As a more giant breed, these dogs develop specific health issues, which can cost more than $5,000 in annual veterinary visits. Other health issues that may occur in this breed include von Willebrand’s disease (a blood clotting problem), progressive retinal atrophy, and megaesophagus.
Saint Bernard – $1,500
Saint Bernards can withstand extreme cold, making them excellent search and rescue dogs.
Theybehave similarly to how they appear: calm and aloof. An initial cost of around $1,500 is nothing compared to the cost of medical expenses, which can range between $8,000 and $10,000. Grooming can also be prohibitively expensive for such a large dog.
Old English Sheepdog- $1,250
These breeds are muscular working dogs ready to herd animals or children!
Old English Sheepdogs, made famous by the film “The Shaggy Dog,” are intelligent and loyal herding dogs that are ideal for families with children. These furry friends must be groomed and can be purchased from breeders for around $1,250. Due to health issues such as deafness, cataracts, gastric torsion, otitis externa, and others, healthcare for this breed may cost more than $7,000, making them one of the most expensive dog breeds.
Chow Chow – $1,250
The Best Lake Books to Marvel At Chow Chows are a protective breed that makes excellent guard dogs. Because of joint problems and autoimmune disorders, medical costs may be higher than for the other breeds mentioned. With their thick, luscious coats, these dogs’ grooming costs are also higher.
Alaskan Malamute – $1,000
Alaskan Malamutes are highly energetic and companionable dogs that cost around $1,000 up front, making them one of the most expensive dogs in the world; they have a lifespan of 13-16 years. Aside from being one of the most expensive dog breeds, medical costs can be prohibitively expensive due to health issues such as
Conclusion
While the dogs are uncommon, they rack up vet bills like no other. They are prone to costly health issues such as corneal dystrophy, autoimmune conditions, and cardiac disorders, which can total $5,000 or more.
Whether you choose a dog from this expensive list or adopt one from a shelter, be sure to secure their health and happiness with a dog insurance policy to give you peace of mind.
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