Dog breeds come in all different shapes and sizes with individual needs and care requirements. Introducing a pet into your home is a wonderful, exciting event filled with joy, however, it can get pricey. It is one thing to purchase a dog and deal with that cost, but to take care of them throughout their lifetime is an entirely different expense. It is the mix of these two factors that determine what the most expensive furry new best friend is. 

A lot of jobs around animals exist, however, pedigree breeders are the wealthiest. Pedigree breeding is a high-paying job without qualifications other than having the necessary resources to breed dogs. The most expensive upfront initial purchase costs are typically determined whether a dog is purebred or not. Purebreds are not only expensive at initial cost, but they can also be predisposed to many health issues depending on the breed. 

On average, investing in a rare breed can tally up to paying up to $8,000 for your new pet and paying thousands more for medical bills over the years. It is a big investment, but it brings people a lot of joy. The top six most expensive dog breeds are all purebred, rare animals that require a lot of care and time.

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiffs originate from Tibet, China. They are very large dogs ranging in height between 25 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm) and weighing between 140 to 170 pounds (64 to 78 kg). Their lifespan is typically between 10 to 14 years. While they were originally bred to be protective guard dogs, they are very friendly, cuddly pets who get along very well with children and other pets. 

They do not have a lot of health issues throughout their long life and do not need an excessive amount of exercise. They are highly intelligent, but hard to train. These dogs have a lot of fur, so grooming them and cleaning the house from the fur they’ve shed is a constant battle. These giant bundles of joy are usually sold for between $2,000 to $6,000, however, these dogs have been sold for millions in the past, the highest price being $1.5 million, holding the record as the most expensive dog in the world.

Löwchen

Löwchen, or the “Little Lion Dog” originates in Europe, most likely from France, but its first origins are unknown. They were companions of the elite Germanic people in the 1800s and were imported to the USA and the UK in the late 1960s, early 1970s. These dogs are small, standing at a height between 10 to 13 inches (25 to 33 cm) with a weight between 9 to 18 pounds (4 to 8 kg). 

These dogs are very friendly and are perfect house pets as they get along very well with children and other pets. They are low-maintenance but active little dogs. They are typically very healthy and have a long life expectancy of an average of 15 years. These dogs are very rare, with only a few hundred of them in the world, as a result, Löwchen puppies are usually sold for between $4,000 to $8,000.

Canadian Eskimo

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a large, rare breed. On average, the males stand at a height of around 24 to 29 inches (61 to 73 cm) with a weight between 66 to 88 pounds (30 to 40 kg). They are very loyal, intelligent, and affectionate animals. They have a thick coat with a dense undercoat and shed reality in the spring, needing regular grooming. These dogs need a lot of exercise and don’t do well with being locked inside for hours at a time. 

They are not the best with children or other pets, as they have predatory instincts, but are very loyal to their owner. They have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. These animals are very rare, with less than 500 of them existing in the USA, this hikes up the price of Canadian Eskimo puppies. They are typically sold at prices ranging between $3,500 to $8,000.

Samoyed

Samoyeds originate from Siberia, Russia, and are friendly, intelligent, and energetic dogs. They are a medium build with males around the height of 21 to 23.5 inches (53 to 60 cm) with an average weight of 45 to 65 pounds (20.5 to 30 kg). 

They are highly affectionate and are very pet and child friendly, making a great addition to your family. They need a lot of exercise and shed a lot. They have a thick coat of fur and constantly need to be groomed. They may fun into some health problems as they get older so they need to be taken to annual checkups to make sure they are healthy. Samoyed puppies are usually sold for between $1,500 to $3,000, and pedigree show dogs can be sold for a price up to $6,000.

Afghan Hound

Originating from Afghanistan, Afghan Hounds are often recognized as the most beautiful, regal-looking dogs. Their long hair and long limbs make them incredibly elegant. In contrast to their elegance, they tend to be clumsy, goofy dogs who are fiercely loyal to their owner. They might not get along very well with other pets or children, but they make good pets for single people or those without children. 

These are very tall dogs standing at a height between 27 to 29 inches (69 to 74 cm), yet they are not heavy compared to their height, weighing on average between 50 to 64 pounds (22 to 34 kg). The models of the dog world have beautiful long hair and need constant grooming. They are very active animals and need to be taken for runs on a daily basis. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and are typically healthy animals. 

Afghan Hound puppies tend to be more expensive than an average puppy and are usually sold for between $2,500 to $3,500. There are prestigious breeding farms where pedigree puppies can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000.

Chow Chow

Chow Chows originally come from China. These dogs are not the best for a home environment with children and other pets as they are not so friendly or affectionate creatures. They are very fluffy and have a lot of thick fur, needing to be groomed constantly. They are quite lazy dogs and are very loyal to their owner with a life expectancy between 8 to 12 years. 

They are medium-sized, with the males standing at a height between 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) and weighing about 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 32 kg). These puppies are typically priced between $1,200 to $2,000, however, show dogs can cost up to $4,000.