A Tibetan Mastiff puppy once sold for close to $2 million, making it the most expensive dog ever recorded. In this list of the 15 most expensive dog breeds in the world, you'll find the typical purchase price, origin, and a few surprising facts for each breed, from the loyal Doberman all the way up to the record-holding Tibetan Mastiff.
Quick facts: what drives the price of expensive dog breeds
- The Tibetan Mastiff is widely considered the most expensive dog breed in the world, with a purebred puppy once selling for an estimated $1.5 to $1.95 million in China, where the breed is seen as a status symbol.
- Typical purchase prices for the breeds on this list range from around $600 to $12,000, with the final number driven mainly by rarity, pedigree, and demand rather than size alone.
- Several of the priciest breeds, including the Löwchen and the Chow Chow, are considered rare or historically endangered, which is one of the main reasons reputable breeders charge a premium for them.
Summary table: the 15 most expensive dog breeds
| Rank | Breed | Typical price | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Doberman | $700 – $2,000 | Germany |
| 14 | Jack Russell Terrier | $800 – $1,500 | United Kingdom |
| 13 | English Bulldog | $800 – $2,000 | England |
| 12 | Saint Bernard | $1,000 – $2,000 | Switzerland / Northern Italy |
| 11 | Czechoslovakian Wolfdog | $1,000 – $2,500 | Czechoslovakia |
| 10 | Afghan Hound | $1,500 – $2,000 | Afghanistan |
| 9 | Pomeranian | $600 – $3,000 | Germany / Poland |
| 8 | Akita Inu | $1,000 – $3,500 | Japan |
| 7 | Chow Chow | $2,500 – $5,000 | China |
| 6 | Rottweiler | $1,000 – $6,000 | Germany |
| 5 | Pharaoh Hound | $2,500 – $7,000 | Malta |
| 4 | Samoyed | $2,800 – $9,000 | Russia |
| 3 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $1,500 – $10,000 | United Kingdom |
| 2 | L̦wchen | $7,000 Р$10,000 | Europe (France/Germany) |
| 1 | Tibetan Mastiff | $3,500 – $12,000 (record sale: ~$1.9 million) | Tibet |
The 15 most expensive dog breeds in the world, ranked
15. Doberman
The average price of a Doberman starts at $700 and can go up to $2,000. The breed originated in Germany around 1850, when Friedrich Louis Dobermann created it specifically to be a personal protection dog.
Its coat is short, in colors that include black, brown, blue (a light gray), black with red markings, white, and light brown. Males typically stand around 70 cm at the shoulder and females around 65 cm, with the breed weighing between 32 and 45 kg. Dobermans are known for being extremely loyal and highly intelligent watchdogs.
14. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers typically cost between $800 and $1,500. Originating in the United Kingdom, this breed tends to be mischievous, active, curious, intelligent, and affectionate. They stand 25 to 30 cm tall and weigh around 5 kg.
Their coat is usually short and hard, most commonly white with black or reddish spots, though other coat variations exist. One notable fact about this breed is how often it shows up in movies and advertisements, thanks to its high intelligence and trainability.
13. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs typically cost between $800 and $2,000. One notable fact about this breed is that it's considered the national dog of England.
The English Bulldog has a distinctive wrinkled face and a very friendly, affectionate temperament. It's common for the breed to have respiratory issues due to its flat face, and it tends to be fairly low-energy and sedentary.
12. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards typically cost between $1,000 and $2,000. The breed originated in Switzerland and Northern Italy, developed around 1660 as a mountain rescue dog.
The breed needs regular care around the face, eyes, and eyelids, and exercise should be kept moderate, since Saint Bernards can be prone to bloat (a twisted stomach). Adults typically stand 70 to 75 cm tall, with weights ranging from 63 to 81 kg; females tend to weigh less, usually around 63 kg.
11. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
This breed typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500. It was developed by crossing German Shepherds with Carpathian wolves, combining the German Shepherd's pack mentality, trainability, and temperament with the wolf's strength, stamina, and build.
Physically, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog closely resembles a wolf. It's a loyal, intelligent, and highly active breed that needs consistent physical and mental stimulation.
10. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000. This hunting breed is native to Afghanistan and is known for its long, silky, fine coat, which needs regular care to avoid tangling and keep its shine. Afghan Hounds are also notably agile and fast.
9. Pomeranian
Pomeranian prices can range from $600 to $3,000. This breed tends to be very active, outgoing, and can be temperamental if not properly trained, so consistent socialization from puppyhood is important to prevent overly dominant behavior.
8. Akita Inu
Akita Inus typically cost between $1,000 and $3,500, and can reach up to 70 cm in size. This breed works well as a guard dog and is usually very patient with children. There are two recognized types, the American Akita and the Japanese Akita, with the Japanese line generally considered the more prized of the two.
7. Chow Chow
Chow Chows typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000. With its thick, dense coat, this breed's physical appearance is often compared to a small bear. Chow Chows tend to be reserved, alert watchdogs, but they're also loyal and make good companions for families that understand the breed's independent streak. They're famous for their blue-black tongue, and, unlike almost every other dog breed, Chow Chows are typically born with 44 teeth instead of the usual 42, though most lose the extra pair along with their other baby teeth.
6. Rottweiler
Rottweiler prices typically range from $1,000 to $6,000. This breed is affectionate and protective, and while well-trained Rottweilers are not inherently aggressive, they're often used in police work and as service or rescue dogs.
5. Pharaoh Hound
Pharaoh Hounds typically cost between $2,500 and $7,000. The breed has a sleek, elegant build with short, shiny, smooth hair, and was originally developed for rabbit hunting. One notable fact: despite its name, the Pharaoh Hound doesn't actually originate from Ancient Egypt, as many assume — it's a Maltese breed and part of the sighthound (greyhound) family. It needs a lot of physical activity and tends to be very sociable.
4. Samoyed
Samoyeds typically cost between $2,800 and $9,000. The breed originated in Russia, where it was developed as a companion and sled dog. Samoyeds are highly active, love playing with children, and tend to stay energetic well into old age. Their coat is long, dense, and white.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. Originating in Great Britain, this breed is considered one of the friendliest and most affectionate companion dogs, and despite its small size, it's fairly active and needs regular exercise.
2. Löwchen
The Löwchen typically costs between $7,000 and $10,000. Its name, which translates to "little lion dog," comes from how the breed has historically been depicted in paintings, styled to resemble a small lion. Fully grown, a Löwchen reaches a maximum size of about 35 cm and can weigh up to 8 kg. The breed is typically gentle, affectionate, and playful, and its rarity, only a few hundred puppies are born worldwide each year, is a major factor behind its price.
1. Tibetan Mastiff: the most expensive dog breed in the world
The Tibetan Mastiff tops this list, with typical purchase prices ranging from $3,500 to $12,000. As the name suggests, the breed originates from Tibet, where it was traditionally used to guard livestock and monasteries in the Himalayas. Tibetan Mastiffs can weigh up to 90 kg (roughly 200 lbs) and are known for being deeply affectionate with their families, though territorial and wary of strangers; the breed generally doesn't do well with young children. Owners are typically advised to vary their walking routes, since Tibetan Mastiffs can become overly territorial about a fixed route. The breed's reputation for record-breaking prices comes from a single, widely reported sale in China around 2014, when a red Tibetan Mastiff puppy reportedly sold for between $1.5 million and $1.95 million, making it the most expensive dog ever sold — though that figure is a rare outlier rather than a typical purchase price.
Frequently asked questions about expensive dog breeds
What is the most expensive dog breed in the world?
The Tibetan Mastiff is widely considered the most expensive dog breed in the world. While typical purebred puppies sell for $3,500 to $12,000, one red Tibetan Mastiff reportedly sold for close to $1.9 million in China in 2014, making it the most expensive dog ever recorded.
Why are Tibetan Mastiffs so expensive?
Tibetan Mastiffs are expensive mainly because of their rarity, imposing size, and cultural status. In China, owning a purebred Tibetan Mastiff, especially one with a rare red coat, is considered a symbol of wealth and status, which has driven prices for top-quality puppies far above what most purebred dogs command.
What is the most expensive small dog breed?
Among small breeds, the Löwchen and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are typically the most expensive, with prices reaching $10,000 for well-bred puppies. Both breeds combine a small size with real rarity: only a few hundred Löwchen puppies are born worldwide each year, which keeps demand well above supply.
What makes a dog breed expensive?
A dog breed's price is driven mainly by rarity, pedigree, and demand rather than size or popularity alone. Breeds with small litters, a limited number of reputable breeders, specific health-testing requirements, or cultural cachet (like the Tibetan Mastiff in China) tend to command the highest prices, regardless of how large or small the dog is.
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