The 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the World

There are plenty of dog owners out there who don’t think twice about the price of their new fur baby. For some, the family addition is priceless, so the price tag is meaningless. Many dog owners are willing to pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for particular breeds of dogs. So, we’ve composed a list of the top 10 most expensive dog breeds in the world. Keep in mind, the prices are based on location, breeder, and bloodlines.

1. Löwchen

Also known as “little lions”, Löwchens are a small-sized, long-haired breed of dog dating back to the Renaissance. The breed was a favorite among noblemen and prominent in Renaissance artwork. Today, Löwchens are very rare are closer to extinction than anything else. Löwchens lead the pack for expensive dog breeds. The rarity of this breed drives the price to $10,000 and beyond.

2. Samoyed

The Samoyed is a beautiful breed of dog from Siberia. They were bred for herding nomadic reindeer and for pulling sleds of the Samoyedic people. Samoyeds are strong, alert, and playful. Their price is upwards of $8,000, making the Samoyed one of the top-most expensive dog breeds.

3. Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is a large-sized, Tibetan breed of dog. The breed’s origins date back to the ancient nomadic cultures of Nepal, China, and Tibet. Tibetan Mastiffs were used by native tribes of Himachal Pradesh to protect livestock from predators. They are one of the most protective dog breeds in the world and can be as tall as 33 inches and weigh in at 160 pounds. This breed of dog costs up to $7,000.

4. Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is the national hound of Malta. In Maltese, the breed’s native name is Kelb tal-Fenek, meaning “rabbit dog”. Pharaoh Hounds were traditionally bred for hunting hair in the Maltese Islands. These dogs have a royal stature, high intelligence, and athletic disposition. They are priced around $6,500.

5. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a large-sized, domestic breed of dog. In Germany, Rottweilers are known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, which means Rottweil butchers’ dogs. This is because they were used for herding livestock and drafting carts of butchered meat.

Today, Rottweilers are used for search and rescue missions, guiding the blind, and in law enforcement as guard dogs. Certain bloodlines are approximately $6,000.

6. Akita

As a large-sized breed of dog, the Akita originates from the mountainous regions of Japan. There are two strains of Akita dogs. The first is a Japanese strain, commonly referred to as the Akita ken or Akita Inu in Japan. The second strain of the breed is of the American variety and is simply known as the Akita or American Akita.

The Japanese strain comes in a limited number of colors, and all colors outside this palette are considered atypical. However, the American strain can be found in all colors. Akitas have a short double-coat that is quite similar to that of other northern spitz breeds, like the Siberian Husky. Though, you will find the occasional Akita with the long-coated recessive gene. The price is known to be as high as $4,500.

7. Azawakh

The Azawakh a thin breed of dog. Azawakhs move with a distinctly, delicate gait. They can be seen in an array of colors and assorted degrees of refinement, though the format is generally constant.

The Azawakh is an African breed of dog. In Canada and the United States, the breed is available for purchase. Azawakhs are energetic and require daily physical activity, as well as a caring owner. You can find Azawakhs for $3,000.

8. Peruvian Inca Orchid

The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a breed of dog that originates from Peruvian pre-Inca culture. This breed is one of several hairless breeds and is commonly known as the Peruvian Hairless dog. Peruvians are perhaps one of the most intriguing-looking dogs in the world. They have a unique grey skin tone. You can expect to find hairless Peruvians priced up to $3,000.

9. Saluki

The Saluki dog breed’s origins can be traced to the Fertile Crescent. Coined the Royal Dogs of Egypt, Saluki’s have been around since the time of Egyptian Pharaohs.

This breed of dog is classed as a sighthound and is characterized by a long-legged and deep-chested body. Salukis require patient training and are known to be loyal, gentle, and affectionate with their owners. Male Salukis weigh around 60 pounds and stand 28 inches tall. The breed’s estimated price is around $2,500.

10. Czechoslovakian Vlcak

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (Vlčák/Vlčiak) is a newer breed of dog and our 10 spot for most expensive dog breeds. In 1955, a Czechoslovakian experiment led to the foundation of the breed’s lineage.

Breeders initially bred 4 Carpathian wolves with 48 German Shepherds. The plan was to create a breed of dog that had the pack mentality, trainability, and temperament of the German Shepherd and the stamina, physical build, and strength of the Carpathian wolf.

The breed was originally created to help Czechoslovakian soldiers with border control. They were later used for search and rescue, herding, schutzhund, drafting, and tracking. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog costs upwards of $1,000 dollars.