Purchasing a dog can be a really tough decision. Do you want a dog that is small, large, mid-sized, a working dog, a companion–there are so many choices to make. Then, you have to factor in the time that you have to spend with them, how much their food will cost, what supplies you need for them, and veterinary bills on top of everything else. When it comes to dog breeds, these are the 11 most expensive breeds you can buy before considering the other costly factors.
German Shepherd
This breed is widely popular for their use as guard dogs. As such, It can be expected that this breed can be very pricey. For $50,000 you can purchase a fully-trained German Shepherd, although, you could also get this breed for anywhere between $1,000 to $24,000 without the training. They are a very energetic and outgoing breed and can become very fond of children as long as they are well socialized. They are also highly intelligent which is why they are often used in military and police forces as drug search dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guard dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This adorable breed is an eternal puppy that can cost you between $1,000 to $14,000. They are incredibly friendly and love to lounge around with their owner. They are often used as therapy dogs but they can also be used as hunting dogs. This breed is considered a toy but is one of the largest in its type. They generally live for 9 to 15 years and are known to be very happy companions.
Samoyed
This breed was originally used in Siberia as a herding dog but has since been domesticated. They make a friendly companion and love to pull sleds. Between their sled-pulling hobby and sweet disposition, they make great companions for children, especially during the winter. They tend to keep up their playful attitude long into old age and are known for their fun-loving personality. This childhood friend can cost between $4,000 to $11,000.
English Bulldog
Affectionately known as Bullies, this breed is known to be quite lazy. You’ll often find them napping on the sofa but they do have bursts of energy when they’ll enjoy running around and playing with their owner. Bullies are very friendly and calm companions with a thick skin and heavy-set build. This breed should be walked regularly to avoid any obesity issues. The cost for this low-maintenance companion is about $3,000.
Chow Chow
This bear-like breed can cost about $3,000 to $8,500. Chow Chows aren’t a very friendly breed and don’t adapt well to other animals or members of a household. This breed also doesn’t require much exercise but can be very difficult to train. If you’re searching for an affectionate pet that you can cuddle up with, this isn’t the breed for you. They have a very independent personality but are not aggressive. This breed also has a tendency to pick favorites and will generally attach to one member of the household and be very protective of that person. The most defining traits of this breed are their deep-set eyes and black tongue. Chows also tend to be very territorial so a home with a lot of foot-traffic wouldn’t be the best fit for this breed.
Lowchen
Lowchens have a fantastic temperament and are decently active for a dog of their size. They enjoy playing and are very energetic. This breed is also highly affectionate and outgoing so they will get along with other pets, strangers, and children. This breed is highly aware of its attractive appearance and loves to have you make a big deal about it. Though they are loyal, they don’t usually pick favorites and will give affection to whoever returns it. This jovial breed can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000.
Rottweiler
If not properly trained and socialized, this breed can grow to be very aggressive, hence their bad reputation. Although, with the right amount of attention and training they can be a very loving companion. Rotties are often used as search and rescue dogs, police dogs, guard dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. This breed was historically a herding dog but has since been domesticated. This breed should be supervised around young children as they tend to attempt to herd the children, similar to others of its type. If this breed doesn’t get enough exercise then they are at risk for obesity and other health issues that come along with being overweight. This breed can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.
Tibetan Mastiff
This breed was historically used as a guard dog by farmers to protect their cattle from leopards in India, though they originate from Tibet. Tibetan Mastiff’s require a lot of land to roam on and are not very good for apartment-style living. They are generally very easy-going and sweet-tempered with humans but are also very territorial. This breed is technically nocturnal, though they tend to sleep through most of the day in order to keep watch and protect their family and property at night. A Tibetan Mastiff can cost between $2,000 and $7,000.
Canadian Eskimo Dog
This breed is said to be North America’s oldest, living, native breed of dog. They are currently in threat of becoming extinct and as of 2008 there were only about 300 purebred dogs left. This arctic breed is loyal and intelligent but still very gentle and affectionate with it’s owners. It has a tendency to develop an intense attachment to one person. This breed can cost about $7,000 due to its rarity.
Egyptian Pharaoh Hound
Affectionately called the Pharaoh, this breed originated in Malta and is still the country’s national dog. This breed was historically used for hunting so they have a high prey-drive and despite their name they have no connection to Egypt. This is a high-energy breed and can even blush with their ears and noses when they become excited, much to their owner’s delight. Pharaohs can cost between $2,500 and $6,500.
Akita
This breed is known for it’s size and comes from the northern region of Japan. This is a very independent dog and is cautious towards strangers. Aside from their hesitance, they are very affectionate with their owners and other family members. They are known to be hard to train and therefore not recommended for inexperienced dog owners. This breed is also very territorial and doesn’t get along well with other dogs of the same gender. This breed can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $4,500.