THE MOST EXPENSIVE DOGS

THE MOST EXPENSIVE DOGS

Recently a Chinese businessman bought an 80 cm-tall Tibetan Mastiff puppy weighing 90 kg for $2 million – the most expensive dog ever sold, breaking the previous record of 1.5 million. Bidness Etc presents a list of some of the most expensive dogs on the market

A variety of factors make a breed expensive. Rare and purebred dogs tend to cost more than their mixed-breed counterparts. Predictably, a dog’s value increases immensely when it is owned by or seen in the possession of a celebrity. Better still, even the offspring of prize-winning dogs are valuable commodities. In a society that loves its dogs, some dog breeds are now regarded as solid status symbols.Here is our list of the most expensive dogs available in the market today, ranked according to the average cost per canine.

7) Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff males can grow to around 83 cm in height, and those bred in the West can weigh between 45-68 kg (100-160 pounds). Unlike other large breeds, they have a long life expectancy: on average, they make it into double figures and can live up to the age of 14. The breed also has fewer genetic health problems compared to other dogs.

The large Mastiffs display a “noble bearing” with a large double coat -- and the royal aesthetics have an attached royal price tag.  Described as an aloof and observant breed, its dignified personality traits do not always allow it to participate in activities of obedience. The Mastiff is, on average, valued at $2,200-7,000.

Recently, however, a golden-haired Tibetan Mastiff puppy was reportedly sold for $2 million in China at a premium pet fair in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The hound was 80 cm tall and weighed 90 kg, and was compared to “nationally treasured pandas” due to its high price. Breeder Zhang Gengyun described Mastiffs as having “lion’s blood,” which seems a heck of a compliment for a dog.

Clearly Tibetan mastiffs are becoming a status symbol among China’s growing elite. In 2011, an 11-month old puppy named “Big Splash” was sold for $1.5 million.

6) Saluki

The Saluki (sometimes referred to as the “Royal Dog of Egypt” or the “Persian Greyhound”) is considered “one of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dog” in existence. Their history dates as far back as 10,000 BCE.  Salukis have appeared on artifacts from central Iran and potteries from Susa, Iran, and from the Middle Kingdom era onwards, they began to appear on ancient Egyptian tombs. They have even been found, mummified, next to the Pharaohs in the Pyramids.

Male salukis grow to be 58-71 cm tall and weigh around 18-27 kg, whereas females are slightly smaller. The head is narrow and the long tail is curved. Salukis are typically shaped like sight hounds and their coats come in a variety of colors – white, cream, fawn, etc – and may also vary in texture as either smooth or feathered.

They make for good pets and are known for their outstanding hunting capabilities, using their excellent speed and sense of hearing to great effect. However they require patient training and affection from their owners due to their gentle nature. Salukis have an average lifespan of 12-14 years; however, health issues such as cancer and cardiac problems are common. Salukis are sold, on average, for around $2,500.

5) Rottweiler

Rottweilers are patient, intelligent, and the most versatile of all breeds. They are often employed as search and rescue dogs, guide dogs for the blind, guard and police dogs, and also happens to be of the oldest of herding breeds that can adapt to work under a variety of conditions. They are excellent companions, as the cliché goes, and protective of their owners. The breed most likely dates back to the Roman Empire. Rottweilers are said to be descendants of ancient Roman drover dogs – which is where they get their intelligence and excellent guarding instincts.

An average male Rottweiler stands 61-69 cm tall and weighs 50-60 kg, whereas females grow to be 56-63 cm and weigh 35-48 kg. Their standard black and rust-colored coats make them very distinctive, as do their unique characteristics. The average Rottweiler lives up to 9-10 years, according to breed surveys in the US, UK, and Denmark. Although they are relatively healthy, some large breeds may face problems with hip dysplasia. Rottweilers can be bought for $2,000-$8,000, which is probably reasonable considering their intelligence, strength, and endurance.

4) Löwchen

Löwchen translates to “little lion” in German, a name it gets for its long flowing mane and talent for alertness. The breed is also often given a trim resembling a lion, with chains of hair around the ankles and tail. It is regarded as one of the rarest of all breeds: there are less than a 100 registered Löwchens each year, whereas in 1973 there were as few as 65. The breed is also one of the oldest, with its history tracing back to 1442. Löwchens have appeared in several artifacts including ancient paintings, tapestries, and engravings.

The pooch’s head is one of its distinctive features – usually short, with a wide skull and large round eyes. The coat is always long, flowing with a mixture of thick and fine hair, and in a variety of colors. The breed does not shed and is also known to be hypoallergenic, which is one of the reasons for its good lifespan of 12-14 years. The average male Löwchen stands 30-35 cm tall and weighs 5-8 kg, whereas the female grows to be 28-33 cm tall and weighs 4.5-6.8 kg. The friendly and happy dogs can be bought for $5,000-$8,000, and are considered excellent house pets: playful, active, intelligent, and very receptive of human love and attention.

3) Chow Chow

The powerful and sturdy Arctic breed originally came from Northern China, and has been referred to as “Tang Quan” meaning “Dog of the Tang Empire.” The breed is believed to be one of the earliest native dogs and is considered one of the traditional stone guardians of the Buddhist temples and palaces. There are also indications that it is one of the first primitive breeds to have evolved from the wolf.

The Chow Chow is usually square in profile, with a broad skull. It is popular for its thick double coat, which is particularly dense around the neck, and comes in a variety of colors including red, black, and cinnamon. The coat also varies in texture and can be either rough or smooth. However its most unique feature is its unusual blue or black tongue.

They can grow to be 43-51 cm in height; males weigh around 25-32 kg, and females can weigh up to 20-27 kg. One of the common characteristics of the Chow Chow is aggression, although some can also be aloof. The aggression is anyway usually directed toward dogs of the same sex and not humans.

Many famous people own or owned Chow Chows, including Sigmund Freud, who brought his dog – Jo-Fi – to all his psychiatric sessions and even admitted that he depended on Jo-Fi for help assessing his patients. Chow Chows have a good life expectancy, living 9-15 years on average, and are generally disease-free. Chow Chows are valued at $3,000-8,500.

2) English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is one of the most popular dogs in the US, with many American citizens willing to pay prices as high at $9,000 for this muscular heavy dog. The dog’s distinctive features include the thick fold of skin above the nose, the hanging skin under the neck, and the drooping lips and pointed teeth. They are also one of the few breeds whose tail is naturally short. A typical mature hound weighs 20.4-25 kg. The Bulldog’s coat is short, flat, and sleek, and varies in colors including red, fawn, and white.

A Bulldog’s lifespan is relatively short, with the dogs showing signs of aging at 5-6 years. Some 39 American universities use the Bulldog as a mascot, including the prestigious Yale University.

1) German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is regarded the most expensive dog breed in the world. They can adopt many roles, including being trained as rescue dogs, guide dogs, personal protectors, and even as actors. They are able to pick up almost any kind of scent, which is why they are often used as sniffer dogs. This relatively new breed originated in the 1890s in Germany following World War I.

Male German Shepherds can range from 60-65 cm in height, and weight 30-40 kg, whereas females can grow to be 55-60 cm and weigh 22-32 kg. The German Shepherd’s characteristic features include its strong jaws, large, erect ears, long necks, and bushy tails. Their double coat may vary in color but is most commonly tan/black or red/black.

As of 2012, German Shepherds are considered the second-most popular dog in the US, and can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $24,000. A dog training institute in Germany claims to train the best rescue dogs and sells them for $24,000. They are generally energetic and healthy, but may face problems of hip dysplasia during old age. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9-13 years.