Top 10 Most Expensive Pets in the World

The six-month-old male sheep made history by becoming the world's most expensive sheep, sold for a staggering £367,500, which is roughly 11.3 billion VND. Named Double Diamond, this lamb was born at a farm in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, and broke records with its extraordinary price. Despite its young age, Double Diamond had already earned multiple achievements and was officially recognized in the Guinness World Records. John Yates, CEO of the Texel Sheep Society, explained: "For many people, this price seems astronomical for a sheep. But in reality, the Texel breed is the number one in the UK, accounting for around 30% of all lambs born each year in the country." The sheep was named after the Double Diamond Island in the Netherlands, the birthplace of the Texel breed. This breed is highly regarded for producing high-quality wool and lean meat.

However, Double Diamond's value is significantly higher than other Texels due to the timing and location of its birth. It was born at the tail end of the peak breeding season, making it particularly rare. Famous breeder Charlie Boden from Sportsmans Farm in Stockport, Cheshire, was responsible for selling Double Diamond. The previous record holder for the most expensive sheep was another from the UK, which sold for £231,000 (around 7 billion VND) in August 2009. Double Diamond was eventually purchased by three prominent breeders: Auldhouseburn, Procters, and New View. Alan Blackwood from Auldhouseburn, Maybole from Procters in Lancashire, and Messrs Teward from New View in Darlington plan to use the sheep to produce more top-quality lambs in the years to come.

In South Africa, rare white lions are increasingly being bred for the purpose of trophy hunting. Alongside golden antelopes and coffee-colored gazelles, the white lions with their striking blue eyes have become prime targets for experienced hunters due to their unique appearance. The unusual beauty of these lions isn't natural but the result of selective breeding by humans. Owning a white lion has long been a luxury pastime of the wealthy, but to own one, you must be incredibly rich. These rare, mutated lions are found only in a few wildlife reserves in South Africa. Due to their rarity and stunning beauty, their price has risen to $138,000 each.

Until 2009, when white lions were reintroduced to the wild with great pride, it was believed that they couldn't survive in their natural habitat. This is why a large portion of the white lion population currently resides in zoos. The white lions in the Timbavati region are believed to have originated in this part of South Africa centuries ago, although the first recorded sighting in the area was in 1938. Surprisingly, these lions are not albino. Their white color is the result of a less severe mutation in the same gene that causes albinism, differing from the gene responsible for white tigers. Their coats range from yellow to nearly white, and this coloration does not appear to hinder their survival.

It's truly surprising that a beetle has made it to the top of this list. With a body length of just 5 to 7.5 cm and no particularly striking colors, very few would guess that a Stag Beetle could be worth as much as $89,000. The price is driven by its unique physical design. This insect has red, protruding mandibles that extend out from its head, giving it an odd, yet striking appearance. The elite are willing to pay top dollar to own one of these rare beetles as a pet. The Stag Beetle is an unusual species, and its peculiar features contribute to its sky-high price. The male beetles measure between 2.4 cm and 7.8 cm, while females range from 3.3 cm to 4.7 cm.

The front part of their head is marked by large, prominent mandibles, which are one of the defining features of this insect. Their thorax is slightly curved and indented, with striped wing cases. The forelegs have serrated segments, while the hind legs are smooth. They grow mainly from April to August and feed on tree sap. These beetles are highly reflective at night and often gather under streetlights. The larvae feed on rotting wood, and they are considered a rare species in Taiwan, commonly found in high-altitude forests ranging from 200 to 2000 meters above sea level. Recorded sightings have been made in areas such as Wulai Mountain, Lalashan, and Jianshi, Guanwu, as well as in the central regions of Anmashan, Songgang, and Wushe.

The Savannah is an exotic cat breed that resembles a spotted leopard. With its slender, athletic build and regal, powerful demeanor, this breed can capture anyone's attention—and wallet. Savannah cats are also renowned for their intelligence and loyalty, often being compared to dogs in a cat's body. Priced at $25,000, they are one of the most expensive breeds globally, alongside the British Shorthair. The price varies depending on factors like purity, breeder, certification, health, and weight. Typically imported from Thailand and Indonesia for around $1,000, F1-generation Savannah cats can exceed $50,000. Due to their high price, Savannahs are not commonly sold in Vietnam. To find one, you would need to look at reputable pet groups or trusted pet suppliers.

Interestingly, Savannah cats are incredibly curious and will explore every nook and cranny of your home, no matter how high or small. Known as a luxury pet, their long legs, slim physique, and strong, captivating presence make them stand out. With such a high price tag, Savannah cats are considered a luxury pet for the elite. Inherited traits from the African Serval make them energetic, adventurous, and always eager to explore their surroundings. They are known to climb trees and crawl into tight spaces around the house. As such, if you decide to adopt a Savannah, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them daily, and a collar with a leash is recommended to help track them and avoid them getting lost.

The Palm Cockatoo is a striking large parrot, easily identifiable by its smoky gray feathers and bright red crest. Standing at a height of 55 to 60 cm, it is one of the most unique and expensive parrots, valued at $16,000. The high price tag comes from its extraordinary crest, which adds style and elegance, along with its distinct black or gray plumage. These beautiful birds, native to New Guinea and Australia, are considered to have one of the most spectacular crests in the parrot world. Palm Cockatoos are often seen alone, in pairs, or in small groups of about 5-7 birds.

In the wild, they feed on wild palm fruit, sago seeds, nuts, berries, flowers, and leaves. In captivity, they may enjoy a diet of macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, pine seeds, sunflower seeds, oranges, apples, grapes, pomegranates, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, broccoli, kale, and even cookies. These birds mostly forage in trees but can occasionally be seen on the ground. Palm Cockatoos are known for their vocal abilities and can mimic human sounds as well as the calls of other animals. They nest in tree cavities with nest diameters of 25-60 cm. Their breeding season varies by region, typically starting from August to January. They lay a single egg per nest, which is incubated by both parents for 28-31 days, with an additional 3-4 days for hatching. The chicks are born featherless and take about 100-110 days to grow their feathers.

The Hyacinth Macaw is renowned for its striking cobalt blue feathers, bright yellow ring around its eyes, and long, curved black tail. As one of the largest parrot species in the world, it is also among the most expensive, valued at $14,000. The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest macaw species, measuring up to 95 cm in length and weighing around 1.7 kg. Known for its calm demeanor and trainability, it makes an excellent pet. Native to East and Central South America, this species has seen a significant decline in the wild due to the demand for exotic pets. Due to its stunning blue coloration, the Hyacinth Macaw is sometimes referred to as the 'blue macaw.' When properly socialized from a young age, these parrots can form close bonds with their owners, including strangers, and are gentle, playful, and particularly affectionate toward children.

The Hyacinth Macaw has an impressive lifespan, living on average up to 60 years. It is covered in pure blue feathers, with a black beak and yellow eyes. Females tend to be more slender than males. Their strong beaks are capable of quickly breaking through cage bars, opening nuts, and even cracking coconuts. These macaws are naturally found in dry forests, usually in pairs or small groups. In the wild, they feed on Australian walnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables. Hyacinth Macaws require a high-fat diet with plenty of carbohydrates. Their primary habitat is northern Brazil, with smaller populations found in eastern Bolivia and northern Paraguay. This species is found throughout much of South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.

The De Brazza's monkey, also known as the swamp monkey, inhabits the swampy regions of Central Africa. This primate, one of the most elusive in Africa, is named after the French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. With a price tag of around $10,000, the De Brazza monkey's unique facial expressions, which change with its mood, make it a highly sought-after, rare pet. De Brazza's monkeys are considered one of the rarest primate species to be kept as pets, though owning one in Europe or North America could lead to legal issues.

This monkey has a gray coat with black limbs and a distinctive white beard. The males weigh around 7 kg, while females weigh about 4 kg. They live in small troops in tropical forests and feed on insects, fruit, and small animals. The gestation period lasts about 5-6 months, and they usually give birth to one baby. De Brazza's monkeys are found in swampy areas, dry forests, and bamboo groves across Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Cherangani Hills of Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. They are primarily arboreal. Known for their shyness, they tend to stay hidden, making it difficult to estimate their population. The average lifespan of these monkeys is around 22 years. The dominant male in the group takes on the role of protector. The price of a De Brazza's monkey typically ranges from $7,000 to $10,000 (about 140 - 200 million VND).

Horse racing, one of the oldest sports in the world, has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Legal racetracks in the UK and US alone generate hundreds of billions in taxes every year. As a result, racehorses—especially purebred ones—are incredibly valuable. Beyond pedigree, strength, and speed, factors such as breeding location, the horse's reputation, and even the agent's prestige can significantly boost a horse's price. The Green Monkey is a renowned American thoroughbred and holds the record for the most expensive racehorse ever purchased at 16 million USD. To this day, it remains the priciest animal in the world. Known for its exceptional speed and stunning appearance, the Green Monkey was bred from the famed Northern Dancer lineage and is a rare and highly sought-after racehorse.

On September 15, 2007, Green Monkey made its debut at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It raced again on October 13, finishing in fourth place. With a top speed of 51 km/h, the Green Monkey captured the attention of racing fans worldwide. In 2006, it was auctioned for 16 million USD (around 365 billion VND). Horse racing, once a pastime for aristocrats and elites, has now become a popular hobby for many, though owning a horse like the Green Monkey remains a luxury only the wealthiest can afford.

The Holstein Friesian (HF) cow, often referred to as the Dutch dairy cow, has been around for nearly 2,000 years and is one of the most prominent dairy breeds in the world. Originating from the black-and-white cattle of Batavia and the Frisians, they were selectively bred to produce high milk yields and thrive on the limited lands of the Rhine River valley. These cows were later adapted and refined by American and Canadian breeders, resulting in the modern Holstein Friesian breed known for its exceptional dairy production. This breed is now the dominant dairy cow in many countries, including Vietnam, and is the source of Dutch Lady milk sold globally.

Miss Missy is a Holstein cow that holds the title of the most expensive dairy cow in the world. After winning first place at the Western Fall National Show in North America, her value skyrocketed to an unprecedented 1.2 million USD, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a female cow. Few cows have ever reached such high auction prices. Miss Missy's rare genetic traits made her a valuable asset for breeding, and by 2009, she was used to further improve the Holstein breed. Bloyce Thompson, her owner, explained that people paid a premium for Missy not only because she belonged to the most popular dairy breed worldwide, but because of her unique genetic features. Chris Parry, the marketing director of Morsans Farm, added that buyers of Miss Missy would have exclusive access to her ova, but could not move her out of Canada until her death.

The Tibetan Mastiff is a breed with a noble lineage and is among the largest dog breeds in the world. Originating from Nepal and China, an adult Tibetan Mastiff can weigh up to 160kg and stand 84cm tall. Known for their sharp senses and intelligence, these dogs are highly protective and territorial. A purebred Tibetan Mastiff can fetch a price as high as 582,000 USD. The pure white variety of the breed is particularly rare. Tibetan Mastiffs are revered for their protective instincts and unwavering loyalty to their owners. They are descendants of the Tibetan Mountain Dogs, ancestors to many Molossus and Mastiff breeds worldwide. Big Splash, a Tibetan Mastiff, weighed 81kg at just 11 months old. The dog’s owner, Lu Liang, a dog breeder from Laoshan near Qingdao, China, provides him with a lavish diet including chicken, beef, sea cucumber, and even abalone.

In 2009, a Chinese millionaire, Wang, purchased a Tibetan Mastiff named Yangtze River Number Two for approximately 582,000 USD. Purebred Tibetan Mastiffs have long been a favorite among wealthy elites. The breed was first discovered by two Italian explorers in the village of Jhangihe, located at a high altitude in the Himalayas. Once the rumors about these dogs spread, more explorers visited the Himalayas and began taking the dogs back as valuable gifts for royalty. In 1820, King George IV of England was gifted one, followed by King William IV fourteen years later. In 1847, Queen Victoria received a Tibetan Mastiff, and Prince Edward imported two more, marking the beginning of the breed’s rise to prominence in Europe.