Who doesn’t love dogs? But if you are planning to buy one or rather, another one, you will agree that the real cost of owning a dog cannot be determined by how much the pooch costs initially.
As important as the dog’s purchase price is, you also need to consider the total expenditure on pet food, grooming, healthcare, dog training, and the likes. Once you have taken into account all the various factors that go into looking after these pets to the best of your ability, you can decide whether it is good to bring that doggy in the window to your own home or not.
Nonetheless, the initial cost of purchasing a dog often plays a decisive role in which dog breeds you can keep as a pet. Although a pooch’s value is not a measure of how much love it can give, some species are valued much higher than others because of their looks, strength, intelligence or other similar traits.
However, if you are in the mood to splash the cash, buying an exclusive dog is the one thing you will never regret down the line.
Here we have rounded up some of the most exclusive dog breeds in the world that cost far more than an average house pet – because if you can spend some extra dollars, then why not?
Note that the actual price of these dog breeds can differ depending on factors such as the dog’s age, your location, breeder and the bloodlines of the breed as well.
Samoyed
With their price ranging in between $5,000 and $14,000, Samoyeds are beautiful dogs prized for their ‘smiling’ look. They are native to Siberia where the locals have long used these dogs to pull sleds and transport items across the snow-covered land.
However, it’s quite obvious why people love to bring these dogs home. Their pristine white fur and heart-shaped head gives them an exquisite look. Combine the good looks with their playful and fun-loving nature and Samoyeds are hands down one of the best pets that you can own.
The corners of their mouths are slightly upturned naturally, making them look like they are smiling all the time. It is for this reason that these dogs are often referred to by their universal nickname, Sammie or Smiling Samoyed.
The upturned corners basically prevent drooling which can lead to the formation of small icicles on the dog’s face in the extremely cold climate that it usually lives in.
Looking more like a cotton ball, a Samoyed puppy is bound to melt your heart instantly, but beware for it comes with a hefty price tag of at least ten thousand dollars.
Regardless of the purchase price, Samoyeds are becomingly increasingly popular amongst dog lovers because they have an average lifespan of about 14 years. Also, these social dogs are keen to follow orders, so training them is a breeze.
Tibetan Mastiff
Although it is one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world, the Tibetan Mastiff is more renowned for its rather gigantic size. Native to the Himalayan regions, specifically Tibet, these dogs are at least 2 feet tall and weigh an average of about 160 pounds when mature.
In its native region and surrounding areas like China and Nepal, this dog breed is commonly used to protect sheep and other livestock. However, in other regions, the Tibetan Mastiff is popularly kept as a show dog. Despite their strong build and large, intimidating size, Tibetan Mastiffs are extremely friendly and will follow you around happily.
Adult dogs can cost up to $20,000 but that’s a rather petty amount given the fact that a Tibetan Mastiff has been sold for as much as $1.9 million, breaking the record for the most expensive dog ever sold.
Keep in mind that as far as Tibetan Mastiffs are concerned, dog training is no joke. You might have to hire a certified trainer which further adds to the cost of owning these pets.
Akita
Native to Japan, Akitas are really fascinating dogs in terms of appearance and attractive physique. Japanese Akitas are commonly kept as a guard dog by the members of the local elite class because normally, only the royals in the country can afford it.
A related species, known as American Akita, is available at a relatively lower price but it is still much higher than the average cost incurred in owning other showy dogs such as Poodle or Sealyham Terrier.
What makes them all the most expensive is the fact that Akitas have thick, dense fur and maintaining it usually requires the services of a professional pet groomer (and they tend to charge a lot for such dogs). Plus, these dogs are prone to various health issues such as skin problems, knee injuries and hip dyslexia.
They might require a bit of extra love and attention but at the end, Akitas will make you pompously parade your new furry fellow all around the neighborhood.
The joys of canine companionship do not always come cheap. However, since dogs are a man’s best friend, it is well worth every single penny. All in all, buying a pricey pooch can be solid proof that money can indeed buy happiness!
Author’s Bio
Andrew Garf is a passionate pooch lover who has been training dogs for more than 10 years. He especially loves working with German Shepherds as his career in dog training started at a K-9 dog school. To learn more about how to handle and care for different dog breeds, check out his blog TrainYourGSD.com where he shares the valuable insights about dog training that he has gained over the years.