Certain breeds cost more than others, and not every pet lover can own them. While almost all dogs generally offer loyalty, protection, and affection, certain other breeds offer just more than that, but in turn, they require your attention along with the high price.
Some of these breeds have a high cost due to their unique appearance or characteristics, while others are expensive to take care of due to their grooming requirements, high food intake, and high vet bills. Whether you are interested in their pedigree, unique appearance, or characteristics, it’s important to have detailed information about not only their cost but also their personality to understand which one is the most suitable option for you.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most expensive dog breeds and have a look at their personality along with the cost at which they come.
Expensive To Own Dog Breeds
1. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds are well known for their silky, soft, and long coat, which ranges in colour from black, red, blue, cream, to brindle. They have beautiful features marked by long ears, which are covered in even longer hair. They are usually as high as 27 inches, and their tail is beautifully curved like a ring. Their eyes look like almonds, and they are intelligent as well as mysterious by nature.
Their grooming requirements are very high because they need regular exercise along with quality food and nutrition to be maintained properly. Their beautiful coat is not easy to maintain, and professional grooming is necessary to maintain its appearance; therefore, Afghan homes are the best choice for those owners who can afford an expensive dog to maintain.
PetMD claims that their Afghan hound puppies cost $2,000 to $3,000, and the lifetime cost to own an Afghan hound that includes their healthcare, grooming, and other basic requirements is pretty high as well.
While they have a highly independent nature yet they have an affectionate personality towards their family. Due to their independence and smartness, they cannot blindly follow the commands; rather, they think for themselves. This unique combination of these qualities makes this dog breed distinct from the others.
2. Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is another breed that is not affordable to all. Their unique appearance and high maintenance restrict many people from buying them. For owners who can afford a dog with average to moderate expenses, they are the best option for them.
Their price depends on the lineage as well as the breeder’s reputation, however, they usually have a cost of $2,500 to $7,500. Their annual cost is attributed to their active lifestyle, including training, socialization, healthcare, and quality food. Their annual cost of essentials ranges from $1,500–$3,000.
AKC states that Pharaoh Hounds are friendly and smart. They form deep bonds with family and are affectionate by nature; they are even good with other dogs as well. These medium-sized dogs have long legs and different shades of coat available, including golden-red, tan, and chestnut. Grooming is not so difficult because their coat is smooth and short.
3. Tibetan Mastiff
Few breeds are as majestic and powerful as the Tibetan Mastiff. They are popular due to their lion-like looks and strong physique. They are usually 26 to 28 inches high and weigh around 92 to 150 pounds. Their unique and strong physique distinguishes them from other breeds. They have a beautiful, dense, and thick double coat along with a muscular and powerful body, due to which they have been serving as guardians for centuries.
Their cost is high due to the continuous care that this dog breed requires. Their purchase cost is usually around $2,000 to $6,000, but it depends on the location and pedigree. They don’t have a very high purchase cost, but still, they come into the category of the most expensive dog breeds because of their continuous and ongoing care. Additionally, due to their large size, their requirements for food are also very high, and regular grooming is essential for them to prevent matting.
Their personality as well as appearance are both highly impressive, not only are they loyal and protective towards their families and owners, but they are also natural guardians. They can be affectionately called a lion dog. They are highly independent thinkers, and because of their intelligence, proper training and early socialisation are essential for them.
4. Samoyed
Samoyed also tops the list of expensive dog breeds because of their high grooming requirements, as well as their high healthcare needs. Samoyeds from reputable breeders cost around $1,500 to $6,000, with show-quality dogs being the most expensive and even exceeding $10,000.
You might be thinking, why should you spend so much money on just a dog breed when you can have some other companion by your side for the low cost? The reason is not just their social and affectionate nature, but they have a signature “Sammie smile,” which is unique and makes them distinct from other breeds. This signature smile is made by their curved lips and dark puppy-like eyes. Their unique smile is a symbol of warmth.
They have a compact body, and their beautiful double coat is usually white, cream, or biscuit in colour. The inner coat is thicker, while the outer coat is used to repel moisture and dirt. Although they have many more qualities but dog owners think that the money is worth spending on them due to their distinct smile, which is the main reason that many owners want them as their companions.
5. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are identified as the tallest breed globally. It is as tall as 30 to 34 inches, and its weight is around 120 to 180 pounds. Their unique and strongly built physique clearly shows that they have a muscular and powerful body that is perfect for various dog sports.
They are also one of the dogs that have a double coat whose colour ranges from red, black, white, grey, brindle to fawn. Due to their large size, they have been used for centuries to hunt larger animals such as elk and wolves. They make great guard dogs and watchdogs, and their high cost is also due to their large size, which requires a significant amount of spending by their owner. The cost of show-quality dogs is even higher and exceeds $5,000.
Their purchase price is usually around $2,000 to $4,000. Even before purchasing, their large size clearly shows that they have high food requirements, along with grooming and health care. They can even develop health issues, including heart disease and hip and elbow dysplasia; therefore, they require regular checkups and vet visits to stay healthy.
Their life span is also shorter and ranges around 6 to 8 years. Like many other dog breeds, they also form deep bonds with both their family and owner; they remain patient with children as well, but positive reinforcement is required to prevent any unwanted behaviour and make them a great guard dog and protector.
6. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs became well-known due to their remarkable strength in the 19th century. Pet MD states that they became increasingly popular among European herders and farmers, but over time, they became rare. They are usually very gentle and patient with children and make great companions for active households.
For well-bred ones, their purchase cost is around $1,500 to $3,000. Owners need to spend around $80 to $150 monthly to provide them with high-quality kibble. Moreover, $1,000 to $3,000 is required annually for their regular vet check-ups and surgeries if needed. Their lifetime cost usually exceeds $20,000 to $25,000. Now you must have understood why they are in the list of the most expensive dog breeds to own.
Not every pet lover can own them, but only those owners deserve them who are prepared to spend on their needs and requirements. They usually stay happy with kids and their owners because they have a family-oriented and dependable nature, perfect for owners who want a faithful and loyal dog.
7. Portuguese Water Dog
AKC reports that Portuguese Water Dogs are usually adventurous and athletic in temperament. While they are medium-sized in shape and body, they still need regular exercise and physical activity to stay engaged. Their coat comes in two textures, namely, loose waves and tight curls, which range in colours from black and brown to brown and white and black and white.
They are recognised as purebred dogs by the American Kennel Club, and they can be bought at a price of $2,000 to $5,000, and they involve average to high expenses for owners. Like other breeds, show-quality dogs are even more expensive, usually exceeding $6,000. If you are a dog lover and own a Portuguese Water Dog, then save some money for this companion of yours. You’ll need around $1,000 to $2,500 per year for their health care needs, including vet bills.
They lead an active lifestyle and are usually loyal as well as smart; therefore, they are best suited in active homes. They enjoy being around their families and owners, and they possess an eager-to-please attitude as well, due to which they can be trained to live with other pets and kids by providing proper training sessions. Otherwise, they may develop unwanted behaviours, so make sure to keep providing them with tasks to channel their energy into something meaningful.
8. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is another giant breed with an impressive size and a massive body. The height of their males usually ranges between 28 to 30 inches, while females are as high as 26 to 28 inches. They have beautiful brown eyes, which adds to their overall appearance.
You can buy a Saint Bernard at a price of$1,500 to $3,500. Over their 8 to 10 years of lifespan, their lifetime cost exceeds $20,000 to $25,000. Their high cost is also attributed to their large size, due to which the owners require more budget for transportation, as well as pet insurance. But the money spent on them is worthwhile because not only are they loving by nature, but their calm nature makes them a more suitable option to play with children as well.
One of their unique trait is the emotional intelligence they possess; it’s easy for them to understand the emotions of their counterpart and be protective towards them. For owners who want a lovely yet protective dog and can afford the average to high expenses, Saint Bernards are the best option for them.
9. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terriers have descended from the “Yorkshire Terrier” and they are commonly known as “Biewer”. Unlike Saint Bernards, Biewer Terriers are a small dog breed with an adorable and loyal personality. If you are a first-time owner and want a lap dog, they are a good option for you.
They have some distinct features, including a tricoloured coat, dark eyes, and upright V-shaped ears. They usually cost between $1,500 to $3,500, but the cost can be higher depending on the lineage. Their life expectancy is around 12 to 16 years, due to which they have moderate to high lifetime costs. Dog owners need to exceed $15,000 to $20,000 as their lifetime cost in which includes grooming, food, health care needs, as well as other essentials.
If you are bound by budget and still want a unique dog, then the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also among the best options for you due to its royal background. Whether it’s Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, well known for their exceptional strength, or Tibetan Mastiffs, popular for their lion-like looks, each of these breeds has something unique to offer in return for their pet ownership, which comes at a high cost
Conclusion
Not every dog breed is the same. While some are the least expensive dog breeds and offer loyalty and companionship, other breeds offer their unique appearance and traits in addition to these qualities, but at a higher price. But these breeds are not affordable by all because they not only come at a higher cost but their expenses over the whole life span come within moderate to high cost, for some exceeding $25,000.
If you are bound by budget and still want a unique dog, then the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also among the best options for you due to its royal background. Whether it’s Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, well known for their exceptional strength, or Tibetan Mastiffs, popular for their lion-like looks, each of these breeds has something unique to offer in return for their pet ownership, which comes at a high cost
