Top 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds In The World in 2024: Are Akitas Cheaper Than Samoyeds?

Dog is considered to be man’s best friend. Many people pick up a puppy from a dog shelter and try to give it a home and good care. But if you want to raise a pedigree dog and train it well to take part in dog competitions, be prepared to shell out a small fortune first. Taking care of a dog during its lifetime can cost you thousands of dollars as you need to pay for vaccines, food, and pet supplies. And you need to pay upfront to buy the puppy in the first place. The price of a pedigree dog usually depends on the purity of breed and rarity. In this article, we look at the most expensive dog breeds in the world. The leader on our list can cost as much as $10,000 for a pup. Are they really worth that price? 

10. Czechoslovakian Vlcak – up to $1,400

The Vlcak, also called the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, was created by mating Carpathian wolves with German Shepherds. You might have to travel all the way to the Czech Republic to get one as the Vlcak is mostly available only there. This dog looks similar to a wolf and has an active and lively personality. It is a very social dog and can be trained early to live with a family. The Vlcak rarely barks and is an expert at reading body language.

9. Saluki – about $2,500

The Saluki is also called the Royal Dog of Egypt. They have been man’s best friends since the days of the Pharaohs. Merchants on the ancient Silk Route in China as well as hunters chasing gazelles and hares are known to have used the Saluki, making it one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds. The Saluki is a long, tall, and slim dog that can grow up to 60 pounds in weight. It is independent and aloof in nature. The Saluki also needs plenty of exercise, so it’s a breed for active people who won’t constantly pamper their dog at home.

8. Peruvian Inca Orchid – up to $3,000

This breed is extremely odd looking as it is completely hairless but for a few random hairs on the head and feet. Its skin color is usually elephant grey with rare variations of chocolate brown or copper. In some dogs, the legs are mottled or have spots on them. The Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in three sizes ranging from a small nine pounds to a heavier 55 pounds. Since it is hairless, this breed’s skin needs great care to protect it from sunburn and clogged pores. During winter, you would need to invest in thick doggie coats to keep this dog warm.

7. Lowchen – more than $3,000

The Lowchen means “little lion” in German. They are small dogs growing up to only about 14 inches and weighing about 18 pounds (males). The Lowchen is a rare dog and only a few hundred puppies go for sale each year at kennel clubs worldwide. This breed was the best friend of royals in medieval Germany and France in the past. Dog of this breed are playful and friendly by nature, and love being in human company. They like children a lot so they may be a perfect companion for your kids.

6. Azawakh – above $3,000

The Azawakh is one of the few rare African breeds that is available for buying in the US and Canada. African nomad tribes originally bred the Azawakh and trained it for hunting and guarding. It can run faster than a greyhound and reach up to 40mph in speed. For this reason, the Azawakh was trained to hunt fast-running animals like gazelles and hares. It is a brave dog that can chase away even larger animals. This lean and tall breed usually has a sandy or brown color, and needs plenty of exercise plus love from the owner to be happy.

5. Akita – around $4,500

The Akita has become famous because it has featured in many Hollywood movies and has recently became widely recognized through a popular “doge meme”. Its origins are in northern Japan and there are two variations of this breed: Japanese and American. The purebred Japanese variety is the more expensive one. The Akita’s looks and temperament are similar to the Siberian Husky. It is a heavy dog with a big head and thick double coat, making it a suitable pet for cold climates. By nature, Akitas are reserved with unknown people, but protective of its owners. They are also fastidious about cleaning themselves after eating, much like cats.

4. Rottweiler – up to $6,000

The Rottweiler was originally trained by butchers to pull carts filled with meat to the market. That is why they are nicknamed butcher’s dogs. They were also used for protecting and herding stocks. The Rottweiler is a strong and intelligent dog. It can grow up to weigh about 130 pounds and will fearlessly protect their owner against enemies. Since they are protective about their territory, they need to be trained early. Though Hollywood has made the Rottweiler look like an aggressive and violent breed, it can in fact become a good family pet with enough love and training.

3. Pharaoh Hound – up to $6,500

The Pharaoh Hound is not the national dog of Egypt, but rather of Malta. This dog has royal looks, athletic build, and good intelligence. Its ears and nose start blushing when it becomes excited or happy. The Pharaoh Hound has a reddish coat and can grow up to weigh about 55 pounds. Females can reach about 21 inches in height, and males about 25 inches. This breed is independent and stubborn by nature, and therefore can be tough to train.

2. Tibetan Mastiff – up to $7,000

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the biggest dog breeds, with origins in China and Nepal. It can grow up to 33 inches in height and weigh about 160 pounds. This dog was originally trained to protect homes and flocks from wolves and leopards. By nature, the Tibetan Mastiff is strong-willed and stubborn, and therefore difficult to train. In 2013, a red-colored, rare Tibetan Mastiff was bought for $1.9 million in China.

1. Samoyed – between $4,000 and $10,000

This breed gets its name from the Samoyedic tribe in Siberia which originally trained this dog to herd reindeers and pull sleds. Thus, the Samoyed can be compared to breeds like Siberian Huskies which thrive in cold climates. Male Samoyeds can grow up to 66 pounds in weight. By nature, it is a strong and tough dog, but with a friendly and alert temperament. Since the hair of this dog breed is known to have hypoallergenic properties, its shed hair is used to make knit scarves and gloves in some parts of the world.

What are the long-term costs of owning an expensive dog breed?

Owning an expensive dog breed involves more than just the initial purchase price. Here are key long-term costs to consider for prospective dog owners:

• Food: High-quality dog food is essential for maintaining your dog’s health. Premium brands formulated for specific breeds or dietary needs can be costly. Depending on your dog’s size and nutritional requirements, you may spend between $50 and $150 a month on food.
• Grooming: Many expensive breeds, like the Samoyed or Afghan Hound, require regular grooming to maintain their coats. This can include professional grooming services, ranging from $50 to $100 per session, plus home grooming supplies. Monthly grooming sessions can add up significantly over time.
• Veterinary Care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care are necessary to ensure your dog remains healthy. Additionally, some breeds are prone to specific health issues that may require ongoing treatment. Budgeting for veterinary care can mean setting aside $500 to $1,500 annually, depending on the breed’s health needs.
• Training: Proper training is vital for any dog, especially for high-energy or large breeds. Professional training classes can cost between $100 and $500; additional private sessions may be needed to reinforce good behavior.
• Insurance: Pet insurance can help cover unexpected health costs, which can be incredibly high for specific breeds. Premiums typically range from $30 to $100 monthly, depending on the coverage level.
• Miscellaneous Costs: Don’t forget expenses for toys, bedding, accessories, and emergency care. These can add an extra $200 to $500 annually to your budget.

Key Insights

• Czechoslovakian Vlcak
  • Created by mating Carpathian wolves with German Shepherds.
  • Mostly available in the Czech Republic.
  • Resembles a wolf and is highly social and trainable.
  • Expert at reading body language and rarely barks.
• Saluki
  • Known as the Royal Dog of Egypt, used since the time of the Pharaohs.
  • Independent and aloof, requiring plenty of exercise.
  • Long, tall, and slim, weighing up to 60 pounds.
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
  • Hairless with elephant grey skin, sometimes with spots.
  • Requires careful skin protection and winter clothing.
  • Comes in three sizes, ranging from 9 to 55 pounds.
• Lowchen
  • Means “little lion” in German.
  • Rare breed with a playful and friendly nature.
  • Small, growing up to 14 inches and 18 pounds.
• Azawakh
  • Rare African breed available in the US and Canada.
  • Bred by African nomad tribes for hunting and guarding.
  • Lean, tall, and capable of reaching speeds up to 40mph.
• Akita
  • Originates from northern Japan, with Japanese and American varieties.
  • Famous through Hollywood movies and the “doge meme”.
  • Heavy, with a big head and thick double coat, suitable for cold climates.
• Rottweiler
  • Originally trained as butcher’s dogs for pulling meat carts.
  • Strong, intelligent, and protective.
  • Can weigh up to 130 pounds and requires early training.
• Pharaoh Hound
  • National dog of Malta, not Egypt.
  • Athletic, independent, and stubborn.
  • Reddish coat, weighing up to 55 pounds.
• Tibetan Mastiff
  • One of the biggest dog breeds, originating from China and Nepal.
  • Strong-willed and stubborn, making training difficult.
  • Can grow up to 33 inches and weigh 160 pounds.
• Samoyed
  • Originates from the Samoyedic tribe in Siberia.
  • Friendly, tough, and alert, suitable for cold climates.
  • Hair has hypoallergenic properties, used in knitting scarves and gloves.

FAQ

1. What factors determine the cost of a pedigree dog? The cost of a pedigree dog is determined by the purity of the breed and its rarity. Additional factors include the dog’s health, lineage, and the breeder’s reputation.
2. Why is the Samoyed the most expensive dog on the list? The Samoyed is the most expensive dog on the list due to its hypoallergenic properties, friendly temperament, and its origins from the Samoyedic tribe, which trained them for herding reindeer and pulling sleds.
3. What is unique about the Peruvian Inca Orchid’s appearance? The Peruvian Inca Orchid is unique for its hairless body, which usually has elephant grey skin. Some dogs have spots or mottled legs, and the breed requires careful skin protection and winter clothing.
4. Why might someone choose a Lowchen as a pet? Someone might choose a Lowchen as a pet because of its small size, playful and friendly nature, and its historical association with royalty. The breed is also rare, which can be appealing to dog enthusiasts.
5. How do the origins of the Akita influence its characteristics? The Akita’s origins from northern Japan influence its characteristics by making it well-suited for cold climates, with a thick double coat and a heavy build. Its reserved nature and self-cleaning habits are also notable traits.

By Allan Jay

Allan Jay is FinancesOnline’s resident B2B expert with over a decade of experience in the SaaS space. He has worked with vendors primarily as a consultant in the UX analysis and design stages, lending to his reviews a strong user-centric angle. A management professional by training, he adds the business perspective to software development. He likes validating a product against workflows and business goals, two metrics, he believes, by which software is ultimately measured.