Most Expensive Dog Breeds: Here Are the Pups with the Highest Price Tag

Choosing your new four-legged best friend often comes with a cost, and it can be quite hefty. While adopting a pup from a shelter remains one of the best options available for you, many prefer to buy their canine companion from a qualified dog breeder.

But this can come at a serious cost, and you’d better prepare a generous amount of money if you want to choose one of the 20 most expensive dog breeds featured in this article. You might also want to consider getting a dog insurance to cover their medical costs.

Read along to discover the breeds that can cost up to $8,000! Please note that the price of each dog depends on the breeder, the lineage and your location. 

25.) Canadian Eskimo Dog

• Price: $1,000–$1,500

Behind the snow-white coat of this Arctic working dog hides one of the rarest and oldest remaining purebred indigenous domestic canines of North America. This alone justifies why it’s one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world.

This friendly dog has a strong pack attitude, so if you already have dogs in the house, this breed might not be ideal for you.

24.) Irish Wolfhound

• Price: $1,500–$2,000

These lovely giants are one of the tallest dog breeds in the world, and they can reach up to seven feet in length.

Irish wolfhounds are nonaggressive and gentle with kids; however, they are well-known for their relatively short life expectancy (from six to eight years): something to be considered when purchasing these adorable goofballs.

23.) Bernese Mountain Dog

• Price: $800–$2,000

Used as all-purpose dogs in the farms of Switzerland long ago, they’re today the 27th most popular dog breed in the U.S.

When buying these versatile pups, you also need to consider other costs. They have a gorgeously thick and bright coat that requires frequent grooming and a big appetite to be satiated.

22.) French Bulldog

• Price: $1,500–$3,000

Who could have predicted that these wrinkly doggies would win over the hearts of so many people? Their small size, playful nature and melancholic eyes allowed them to score the 4th position in the most popular dog breed rankings.

This could explain why top-quality French bulldogs can go from $5,500 to $10,000!

21.) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Price: $1,800–$3,500

This dog has a name fitting the royal and noble vibe this dog radiates! With his affectionate personality, the cavalier is a perfect companion for adults, kids and other pets.

Due to their show dog status, cavalier spaniels are quite pricey. They’re also the 19th most popular dog breed.

20.) Azawakh

• Price: $2,000–$3,000

This regal-looking breed is a real showstopper. Azawakhs are Afro-Asiatic sight hounds with light and swift movements who can develop strong emotional bonds with their humans. Real BFF material!

They’re also independent, guarded with strangers and like to be the dominating dog if they’re paired with other pets. Alphas to the core.

19.) Yorkshire Terrier

• Price: $800–$10,000

Behind their glossy coat and playful figure, Yorkshires hide feisty personalities. If you’re on the hunt for a devoted and fun dog, Yorkies are the way to go.

Although jumping from a price of $800 to $10,000 might seem a bit of a stretch, it’s actually perfectly justifiable: It all depends on the lineage of the dog. As you can guess, purebreds are staggeringly expensive.

18.) Dogo Argentino

• Price: $1,200–$3,900

If the Dogo Argentino casts a strong hunter-like aura and explosive energy, this shouldn’t overshadow its cheerful temperament and social behavior.

This Argentinian big-game breed is expected to live for 12 to 14 years and needs a lot of activity to stay healthy. This breed is perfect for outdoorsy people and those who can’t stay still.

17.) Akita

• Price: $1,500–$4,500

Whose eyes were dry during Hachi: A Dog’s Tale? If there is one thing we learned from that tearjerker, it would be that akitas are some of the most profoundly loyal dog breeds out there.

The detail we missed, though, is that they come at a hefty price and are one expensive dog.

16.) Thai Ridgeback

• Price: $2,400–$5,000

Who can resist the strong build and pricked ears of the Thai ridgeback? Tough, alert and smart, this splendid dog is considered one of the oldest breeds and is rarely spotted outside of its native country, Thailand.

Getting it out of the country will cost quite a fortune.

15.) Portuguese Water Dog

• Price: $2,500+

The Portuguese water dog is a breed that will rock your boat if you like water games! They were first used on Portuguese water boats and helped fishermen tremendously.

Today, they’re perfect companions for active families and children, thanks to their exceptional sense of humor, even if these qualities come at a high price.

14.) Saluki

• Price: $2,500–$5,000

Graceful, charming and imposing, Saluki dogs are devoted creatures that will thrive within a family. They make brilliant watchdogs but aren’t well versed in the act of protecting their owners.

However, they’re hunters at heart and live to chase.

13.) Rottweiler 

• Price: $1,600–$2,500

This devoted police animal will guard your loved ones ferociously. The rottie is a devoted and alert breed that can also be quite protective and territorial when meeting strangers.

There are some health concerns that can make owning a rottweiler expensive, as minimal health care costs can average a sum of $7,800. With a dog like this, pet insurance may be a good option.

12.) Pharaoh Hound 

• Price: $2,500–$6,000

Light on their feet, affectionate and loyal, pharaoh hounds will be your ideal housemates. Even if they’re fast sprinters, they don’t don’t require long hours of activity. Be warned though: They’re not the overly obedient kind!

Bonus info of the day: Pharaoh hounds are the national dog of Malta, and based on DNA tests, they can’t be linked to ancient Egypt.

11.) English Bulldog

• Price: $2,500–$9,000

As opposed to popular belief, these small bodybuilders are a kind and peaceful breed that make perfect companions.

Their stamina is ideal if you want an enduring dog, but remember that their strong stubbornness is one of their key personality traits.

10.) Samoyed

• Price: $1,600–$8,000 

Who’s hiding behind that dignified look and white coat? A bright and alert pup who’s eager to please.

This rare breed requires brushing two or three times a week and has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

9.) French Mastiff

• Price: Up to $5,000

How much do these lovable Frenchies cost? The French mastiff, also called Dogue de Bordeaux, is one of the most ancient French dog breeds and thus its lineage is extremely valued.

Despite their massive build and muscular body, French mastiffs are real sweethearts and vigilant companions. Their owners never fail to fall in love with them.

8.) Lowchen

• Price: $5,000–$8,000

Through history, only the wealthy could afford this toy dog, and considering its price, we can understand why.

These pups are very trainable, a quality you might be looking for if you’re a first-time owner.

7.) Chow Chow 

• Price: $1,000–$8,500

With a name that rightfully translates to “puffy-lion,” this compact doggo has a proud and independent demeanor. Don’t let that furry coat fool you; he doesn’t really like to be cuddled.

But if you’re looking for a loyal companion, the chow chow is the way to go.

6.) Tibetan Mastiff 

• Price: $2,200–$7,000

This goofy ball of fur is magnificent and oozes with charm and warmth. But there is more than meets the eye, as Tibetan mastiffs are also quite territorial and completely fearless when protecting their owners.

Pure Tibetan mastiffs are so rare that one of them, named Big Splash, was reportedly sold for almost $1.5 million in 2011. That has to make it close to the most expensive dog ever!

5.) Ibizan Hound

• Price: $1,300-$1,700

Ibizan Hounds are compete in lure coursing, agility, obedience, conformation, and tracking, in addition to being much-loved family companions.

Nicknamed Beezer by their fans, the Ibizan Hounds are playful and sometimes silly. They are not a touchy-feely dogs, but they enjoys snuggling with family members.

4.) Great Dane

• Price: $1,100-$1,600

A Great Dane is truly a great dog breed — large and noble, commonly referred to as a gentle giant or as the “Apollo of dogs.”

For all of their size, a Great Dane is a sweet, affectionate pet. They loves to play and is gentle with children.

3.) Black Russian Terrier

• Price: $1,000-$2,000

These majestic black beauties are highly intelligent, confident guard dogs who aren’t actually true terriers. Relatively new and still a rare dog breed, Black Russian Terriers are working dogs who can protect a home or business, play with the family’s children, and excel in agility and obedience competition

Known as the “Black Pearls of Russia,” they are people-oriented and want to be close to the action at all times. They tend to be a bit aloof around strangers, including dogs they don’t know, but they’re devoted to their families — and they don’t bark or shed much

2.) Old English Sheepdog

• Price: $1,250-$1,600

The Old English Sheepdog is a large, athletic dog breed with an unmistakable shaggy coat. The Old English Sheepdog was historically a drover, helping farmers drive cattle and sheep to the market.

Today, the good-natured Old English Sheepdog enjoys the comfort of home life and still competes in conformation, obedience, agility, and herding trials.

1.) Saint Bernard

• Price: $1,500.00 – $2,000

Saint Bernard enjoys the comforts of family life in many homes across the world.

They are versatile and excels in the show ring and in obedience trials, drafting (pulling a cart or wagon), and weight pulling competitions.

What do you think of these most expensive dog breeds? Would you like to purchase one of them, or do you already have a canine friend?