Top 15 Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the World

1. Tibetan Mastiff

• Height: 70 cm
• Weight: 64-90 kg
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
• Price: $1000 (for a 2-month-old puppy)

The Tibetan Mastiff originates from the high plateau of Tibet, China. This breed is extremely fierce, ranked at the top of the list of the world's most dangerous dog breeds. It is known as the 'lord of the grasslands' with its large body and superior strength capable of subduing large animals such as tigers, leopards, or lions.

You may have heard or read an article titled: 'Tibetan Mastiff priced at 99 billion VND'. It's not a rumor but the truth about a Tibetan Mastiff in Hebei Province, China. It was purchased by a businessman for 99 billion VND, holding the record for the world's most expensive dog to date.

In the past, Tibetan Mastiffs were only for the ultra-rich, with staggering prices ranging from 1-2 million USD per dog. However, today, most Tibetan Mastiffs worldwide have been commercialized and breeded extensively, so the price has dropped significantly. An imported Tibetan Mastiff, with prestigious origin and beautiful appearance, now only costs a few hundred million VND.

Although Tibetan Mastiffs may not maintain their former popularity, with their sky-high prices during the golden age, they still deserve to be at the top of the list of the world's most expensive dog breeds.

2. Samoyed Dog

• Height: 51-55 cm
• Weight: 16-30 kg
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
• Price: $2,200-$3,000

The Samoyed Dog is a breed originating from Siberia. Its most characteristic feature is its snow-white fur and wolf-like temperament. Samoyeds used to be sled dogs before becoming luxury pets for the upper class.

Samoyeds typically have white fur, some have yellow or cream fur. Their ears are medium-sized, slightly rounded at the top and always erect. Their tails are usually long, bushy, and curled up on their backs. Samoyeds have straight legs, muscular shoulders, flat feet, and are covered in fur. The price of a Samoyed dog on the market is relatively high.

Worldwide, they usually cost around $1,000. However, depending on the fur color, appearance, and temperament, the price can vary greatly. Sometimes, a Samoyed dog is sold for $10,000. In Vietnam, if you want to own a Samoyed dog imported from Europe, you have to spend about $2,200 to $3,000.

3. Phu Quoc Ridgeback

• Height: 48-55 cm
• Weight: 12-20 kg
• Life Expectancy: 9-17 years
• Price: $215-$259

It sounds unbelievable. In Vietnam, you only need to spend less than 10 million dong to own a Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog with many valuable characteristics. Sometimes, if it's a crossbreed or less attractive, the price can be as low as 1 - 2 million dong.

But in the world, Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs can be sold for hundreds of million dong. Like the case of Catherine Lane - a British woman in 2015. She traveled to Vietnam, selected a pair of black Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs to bring back to her country. The pair gave birth to 4 puppies, each sold for... 10,000 pounds - equivalent to over 300 million dong at that time's exchange rate.

In reality, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog is considered one of the rarest dog breeds. Basically, the purebred Phu Quoc only exists on Phu Quoc Island, and over time has created a very different gene pool from the rest. Currently, only about 800 Phu Quoc dogs are registered worldwide. With a scarce quantity, plus rare intelligence and special appearance (a bunch of hair against the back), Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog auctions often end with exorbitant prices.

4. Rottweiler Dog

• Height: 61-68 cm
• Weight: 50 kg
• Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
• Price: $1,300

Rottweiler dogs, also known as German Rottis or Rottweilas, are no longer a strange name for savvy dog enthusiasts. Rottweilers have always been a popular ancient hunting breed in Germany due to their brave nature, good combat ability, and pain tolerance. Properly trained, they can become professional working dogs and rescue dogs.

Despite their strong characteristics, Rottweiler dogs are very friendly, affectionate, and easy to care for. Each individual's personality may vary, but overall they are considered calm, less mischievous or destructive, less barking... many adorable traits, as long as they are well trained. Therefore, the value of Rottweilers has increased. For a good dog, the price ranges from below 30 million VND. And if it's a certified dog, the figure jumps to hundreds of millions right away.

5. English Bulldog

• Height: 28-34 cm
• Weight: 22-23 kg
• Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
• Price: $5,000- $7,000

English Bulldogs are the result of crossbreeding between Pugs and English Mastiffs. Initially, Bulldogs were large, powerful, aggressive, and combative. They were often used in a violent sport called Bull-baiting, where Bulldogs were released into a pit to bait aggressive bulls.

Due to the brutal nature of Bull-baiting, the sport was permanently banned in 1835 when animal protection laws were enacted. English Bulldogs were domesticated to remove their aggressive and combative nature. Today, they have become much friendlier and gentler, favored pets in many households worldwide.

English Bulldogs are a popular breed worldwide, so their prices are not too high. If imported from European or American countries, the average price ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 each (~100-180 million VND). English Bulldogs with FCI certification, impressive pedigrees, and good appearance are priced at no less than $10,000. In addition to the significant purchase cost, caring for and treating English Bulldogs can be quite expensive.

6. Japanese Akita Dog

• Height: 61-67 cm
• Weight: 27-34 kg
• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Price: 4,500 USD

This breed is named after the Akita Prefecture in northern Japan, believed to be their original homeland. Previously, Akitas were only kept by the Japanese royalty and nobility for hunting and entertainment purposes. Nowadays, due to the scarcity and strict export laws to protect the purity of the breed, the price for each dog is not insignificant. However, renowned for their loyalty and affection towards their owners, they remain among the most popular dog breeds.

If you are a movie enthusiast, you will surely know the movie 'Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale'. The film tells the story of Hachiko, a faithful dog who waits at the train station every day even after his owner has passed away. Hachiko is an Akita dog, a clear testament to the valuable qualities of this breed.

After the film was released and moved countless people to tears, the Akita breed suddenly became famous. They are now sought after and prized worldwide. Consequently, the price of Akita dogs has soared, making them one of the top 10 most expensive dog breeds on the planet.

Currently, the Akita dog frenzy shows no signs of cooling down. However, due to some Japanese laws, the export of Akita dogs to the world is restricted. Perhaps it is because the Japanese want to protect the valuable gene pool and avoid too much crossbreeding. The scarcity also contributes to the high price of Akita dogs, around 4,500 USD.

7. German Shepherd Dog (GSD)

• Height: 60 cm
• Weight: 30-40 kg
• Lifespan: 9-13 years
• Price: 1,700 USD

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is still the largest shepherd breed in all types of shepherds worldwide. Germany is also known as the birthplace of the German Shepherd in 1899. Since then, German Shepherds have been widely bred and raised worldwide.

Modern German Shepherds have a very different appearance from their ancestors in the early 19th century. They have broad heads, large ears, and curved backs, while the original Shepherd had a small head, small ears, and a straight back. This difference is because German Shepherds are increasingly bred for aesthetics rather than their working abilities. German Shepherds, due to their excellent qualities, are now popular worldwide and widely used in various professional forces such as police, military, and rescue teams.

Due to their extremely high sense of smell and sharp hearing, German Shepherds are often used in search and rescue missions, drug and explosives detection. They also have strong bodies, muscles, and agility, so they are often trained in combat, guarding, and crime suppression. German Shepherds are also very popular in Vietnam, selling for around 40 million VND, used as pets or serving in protective forces, police, and the military.

8. Pharaoh Hound - Pharaoh Hound

• Height: 59-63 cm
• Weight: 20-25 kg
• Lifespan: 11-14 years
• Price: 7,500 USD

The Pharaoh Hound originates from ancient Egypt, more than 3,000 years ago. They were considered the pets of the Pharaohs and were mummified upon death. Today, there are many artifacts such as reliefs, statues, and carvings that show their ancient presence.

The Pharaoh Hound has a sleek body with long legs, making them excellent runners and often used for hunting. This breed is not widely spread worldwide, but due to its rarity, it remains one of the top 10 most expensive dog breeds. Pharaoh Hounds command a high price in the market, around 3,000 USD (65 million VND) for one.

• Height: 43.18-50.8 cm
• Weight: 18-31.7 kg
• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Price: 11,000 USD

The Chow Chow is a breed originating from China. Historically, they were bred for various tasks such as hunting, pulling carts, and guarding, making them robust and quite fierce. However, their beauty and charming appearance have made the Chow Chow a favorite among the aristocracy. Even today, it remains a sought-after breed by many.

The Chow Chow maintains its price, despite its increasing popularity. The cost to own a Chow Chow is around 11,000 USD, and it can soar to hundreds of millions if the dog is fully certified. Furthermore, Chow Chows come in various sizes, with larger sizes being more expensive.

• Height: 27.94-30.02 cm
• Weight: 4.5-6.8 kg
• Lifespan: 15 years
• Price: 12,000 USD

The Löwchen is a small breed of dog, its name in German means 'little lion dog.' You might be disappointed when hearing the name and witnessing its real-life characteristics. In reality, the Löwchen only bears resemblance to lions in appearance, lacking the strong and majestic demeanor of actual lions. Löwchens are cheerful, gentle, and affectionate by nature. They are extremely sociable with everyone they meet, although they may be reserved around strangers.

The Löwchen is not only a wonderful companion but also an excellent guard dog. They bark a lot to alert about potential dangers. Although Löwchens enjoy this behavior, it can be quite bothersome for your neighbors. Despite not shedding much, Löwchens still require grooming to maintain their beautiful coats. To own a Löwchen, you need to invest a considerable amount, around 12,000 USD.

• Height: 58.42-71 cm
• Weight: 15.8-32 kg
• Lifespan: 12-14 years
• Price: 2,500 USD

The Saluki is a breed of dog with origins dating back to the time of the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt. They were primarily bred by the nobility, princes, and Egyptian nobility of that era. Salukis have slender bodies, making them extremely agile and resilient. They were often taken along on Pharaohs' hunting expeditions.

The Saluki gained recognition globally through the Silk Road. Merchants brought them here to exchange and trade with each other. Nowadays, with the limited number of purebred Salukis, this breed commands a fairly high price in the market. Approximately 2,500 USD for one.

• Height: 58-74 cm
• Weight: 17-25 kg
• Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
• Price: 3,500 USD

Azawakh Dog is named after the Azawakh Valley in the Sahara Desert. It's a swift and affectionate breed. However, Azawakh dislikes being touched by unfamiliar people. Being a hunting dog, Azawakh is skilled at chasing small animals like cats... The price for an Azawakh dog is around 3,500 USD.

The Azawakh dog has short, smooth fur with various colors including sandy, dark red, white, black, gray, brindle. Particularly, the belly area may be hairless. This breed doesn't require meticulous grooming like many others, but you should use gentle shampoo and wear gloves when bathing them to maintain their sleek coat.

• Height: 54-65 cm
• Weight: 30-43 kg
• Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
• Price: 8,750 USD

Canadian Eskimo Dog, also known as the large Canadian Inuit dog, weighs on average from 30 to 43 kg. Male Eskimo dogs usually have larger sizes than females. Their characteristic feature lies in naturally erect ears. They possess almond-shaped eyes in dark brown or amber, which are exceptionally beautiful. Occasionally, they may have blue eyes due to the presence of impurities.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs have coarse fur and come in various colors including white, blends of brown and gray, gray, gray and white, red, white and black, white. They usually shed twice a year. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are not very friendly with other pets such as cats, rodents. They perceive these animals as prey and often chase them. They are also quite territorial and will fight with their counterparts to gain dominance.

• Height: 64-69 cm
• Weight: 23-27 kg
• Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
• Price: 7,000 USD

Afghan Hounds are easily recognizable by their thick, long, and silky coats. This breed of hunting dogs was bred to preserve the unique characteristics of hunting dogs in the Afghan region. In addition to the distinctive thick and silky coat, the gaunt face is admired by many dog lovers as it is both beautiful and humorous.

Afghan Hounds were originally bred for hunting large prey in the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. Because of the extremely harsh weather conditions, having a thick, long coat is essential for this breed. Afghan hounds are fast runners and extremely brave when facing dangerous animals like leopards. They are also considered intelligent animals with little dependence on their owners. To own an Afghan Hound, you need to spend a relatively large amount of money, about 7,000 USD.

• Height: 61-69 cm
• Weight: 40-54 kg
• Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
• Price: $2,500 USD

The Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentine Mastiff, is a hunting breed created for tracking and hunting wild game such as wild boar and puma. Their coat is short and smooth, predominantly white in color. Dogo Argentinos have large, powerful bodies, leaving a lasting impression on those who admire dogs with great strength and energy.

The Dogo Argentino is a relatively new breed, compared to some of the older breeds, with a temperament not entirely suited for domestication. Historically bred for hunting fierce game, they can be challenging to train and domesticate. Their health is not always robust; like many white-coated breeds, they may suffer from deafness in one or both ears. Additionally, they are prone to hip dysplasia due to genetic predisposition. However, Dogo owners must carefully monitor their weight to prevent these breed-specific health issues.