In case, by any chance, you are also a cat lover and you want to learn more about some of the most expensive cat breeds in the world, feel free to check out this guide here!

So, without further ado, let’s see the world’s most expensive dog breeds to make your heart (and pockets) melt!

23 Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Gush Over

13. Akita

Price: $800 – $4,500

There are two types of Akita dogs on the puppy market nowadays. The first, and perhaps most popular worldwide is the Akita Inu, Inu being the Japanese word for dog. It is known for its statuesque and muscular build and white and tan coat.

The Akita Inu became popular due to the story of Hachikō, a remarkably loyal pooch that waited for its owner at the train station for nine years after his death. In Japanese culture, the dog is revered as a symbol of good health and happiness, and the protector of families.

The second type of Akita is the American variety, which is widely similar to its overseas counterpart in both physique and personality. Its burly floof appearance is matched by its profoundly loyal, courageous, and dignified conduct. However, I should note that the Akita is standoffish to both kids and strangers, which makes it more suited for a no-child household.

12. Chow Chow

Price: $900 – $1,500

Chow Chows aren’t just expensive, but they look and act the part as well. Possibly the world’s oldest breed of dog, its lineage has been tied to other spitz-types, such as the Pomeranian or Norwegian Elkhound. Favored by Chinese emperors, many dynasties came and went, but the Chow Chow stood strong.

The breed is described as being serious-minded, dignified, and aloof, which makes for quite the regal behavior. It is essential to note from the beginning that the Chow Chow is not a friendly or affectionate dog. However, when you finally win its respect, you win it for life.

The Chow Chow thrives in a single-owner household, and it doesn’t mind being left alone. In fact, it values its independence. You can still watch your precious pup via your new pet camera, but try to balance your discipline teachings and your interference with its need for independence. Nevertheless, bonding moments are very precious.

After all, all pups want our care and attention, and this miniature bear is no exception. Just be careful not to smother it with love. Being overbearing is a no-go with this particular breed.

11. Shiba Inu

Price: $1,400 – $3,500

Next on our list of the world’s most expensive dog breeds is the Shiba. Similarly to the Akita, the Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese dog breed. However, it differs in size, being a lot smaller, yet remarkably muscular. It is the most common companion dog in Japan, and it rapidly won over our hearts here in the West as well through the well-known doge meme. Such floof, much wow.

But the Shiba Inu traveled to America way before the doge meme was born. The breed was imported to America 60 years ago, and its popularity understandably grew steadily over these decades. Its marking and agile stride give it fox-like quality. In a nutshell, the Shiba Inu is one of the most adorable, but also expensive dogs out there.

The Shiba Inu’s personality is wonderfully tempered and adaptable, which is why it is an excellent dog for novice owners. It thrives in apartments and backyards alike, and it likes both affection and being alone. All in all, this is one balanced canine. Anyone will love to have it around after getting over its hefty price tag.

10. Irish Wolfhound

Price: $1,800 – $2,000

The Irish Wolfhound is believed to be an ancient crossbreed between Britain’s indigenous dogs and Middle Eastern coursing hounds. They were already there when the Roman Empire conquered the Isles. This may be a very good reason why this rare and precious canine is among the most expensive dog breeds in the world.

Legend says that a Roman consul even received seven Irish Wolfhounds as a gift, and all of Rome was astonished by their gentle nature and fierce hunting skills. However, they didn’t gain their name until the 15th century, when they started being used to control the alarmingly increasing wolf population of Ireland.

In spite of their impressive hounding abilities, Irish Wolfhounds are some of the friendliest and most affectionate dogs out there. They are great around kids and play well with other dogs, which makes them one of the best expensive dog breeds to own if you have a large family.

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Price: $1,800 – $3,500
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a show dog par excellence. It has been specifically bred to combine the athleticism of sporting King Charles Spaniels with the cuddly nature of toy dogs. Perhaps the most defining physical trait it has are its big, round eyes that give it the kindest, most heart-melting expression.

The coat of Cavaliers is distinguishable by four main color combos, namely Black and Tan, Ruby, Blenheim, and Tricolor. Black and Tan Cavaliers have tan markings on their face, chest, legs, and tail underside, with the rest of the fur being black. Ruby Cavaliers are the only ones with a luxurious, reddish-brown solid-colored fur.

Blenheim Cavaliers are perhaps the most recognizable in pop culture, as Charlotte York of acclaimed sitcom Sex and the City famously adopted one in the show. They have chestnut markings on a pearly white background. Tricolor Cavaliers have a predominantly white coat, with white and tan spots in various places.

8. Pharaoh Hound

Price: $1,800 – $6,500

The Pharaoh Hound is one of the most interesting and expensive dog breeds in the world in the hound category. It is the direct descendant of the ancient Egyptian hounds the Phoenicians brought to the Mediterranean more than 2,500 years ago. This is what recommends it as one of the oldest domesticated dogs in our planet’s known history.

This is how it made its way to Malta, where it was used to hunt down rabbits. Then, it became the country’s national dog in 1979. Its appearance emanates power and grace due to the dog’s supple silhouette and remarkable agility. The American Kennel Club describes it as a smart, noble, and friendly dog, which is an apt portrayal.

7. Azawakh

Price: $2,000 – $3,000

Does this name sound unfamiliar to you? It is perhaps because this rather rare dog belongs to the most expensive dog breeds that are hard to foster at home. The story of the Azawakh began in the south Sahara with the blue-clad Tuareg nomads. In their native tongue, they are called “idii n’ illeli,” which translates to “sighthound of the free people.” For hundreds of years, this independent, yet deeply loyal and loving dog has guarded the encampments of this traveling people, sharing a roof with them as part of their family.

For this reason, the Azawakh is primarily a hot weather dog that has low cold tolerance. Due to its passion for running and chasing moving objects, it is the ideal companion for an avid jogger or someone with an overall active lifestyle. What’s more, it is an excellent guard dog. He has a longstanding history of protecting property.

6. Portuguese Water Dog

Price: $2,500 – $2,800

The Portuguese Water Dog earned its name by herding fish into nets and delivering messages between ships and the shore along the coast of Portugal. This was possible due to its coat being waterproof, as well as non-allergenic and non-shedding. Nowadays, its duties have been taken over by technology, but the Portie is still a beloved floof in many parts of the world. No matter its popularity across the globe, the Portie is still among the crazy expensive dog breeds you could find.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an incredibly athletic animal with a burly appearance complemented by rich black fur that sometimes has white markings on it. In spite of its stature, it isn’t a fierce canine by any means. In fact, it is incredibly affectionate towards children and loves to socialize with other dogs too. Strangers should practice caution, however.

While it is one of the costlier dogs on this list of rich dog breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog more than makes up for it through its easy-going and eager to please nature. It is incredibly easy to train a Portie, so once you lay down some ground rules, you’ll have one well-behaved pooch.

5. English Bulldog

Price: $2,500 – $3,200

Did you know that English Bulldogs were once bred to participate in bullfights in 13th century England? Fortunately, those days of unimaginable animal cruelty are far behind us. Nowadays, this goofy and lovable pet is as mild-mannered and affectionate as they come.

The Bulldog’s appearance is unmistakable. Its flat nose, floppy skin, and wrinkly forehead aren’t just distinctive, but also cute as a button. Regardless of their color, English Bulldogs have short and glossy fur that emphasizes their short and stout bodies.

Unlike pugs, English Bulldogs can grow to weigh as much as 50 pounds. That’s why they require regular exercise and a proper dog diet to thrive and stay fit. Other than that, this friendly doggo is a dream to care for, as it is easy to train and groom. Shedding might become a problem if you skip out on its weekly sessions though, so be mindful of that.

4. Tibetan Mastiff

Price: $2,500 – $7,500

You might know of the Tibetan Mastiff as being the world’s most expensive dog. Back in 2014, a rare golden-haired pup was sold for the whopping purchase price of 1.95 million dollars. Fortunately for dog enthusiasts who fall in love with its leonine appearance and luxurious coat, standard Tibetan Mastiffs go for a lot less than that.

Still, it is a rather exclusive and high-maintenance dog, mostly due to its luscious mane. The Tibetan Mastiff’s fur is double-coated, which means that it has a wooly undercoat covered with coarse guard hair. Therefore, brushing with the right kind of dog brushes is required multiple times per week. However, you will be relieved to find out that the big guy doesn’t shed that much if cared for properly.

3. Rottweiler

Price: $2,500 – $8,000

The Rottweiler’s distant ancestor was crossbred in the Roman Empire with the help of Asian mastiff-type dogs. These robust and courageous dogs were used to herd cattle, and one day, they found themselves doing this in the German town of Rottweil. You can probably see where this story is going, as that’s how these loyal doggos earned their name.

In the early 20th century, the Rottweiler fell into a new career path, namely that of a police dog. Today, this confident guardian is a popular companion and guard dog. Nevertheless, Rotties aren’t particularly fond of strangers, or other dogs for that matter. Therefore, they might not exactly fit in at the dog park.

2. Löwchen

Price: $3,000 – $8,000

With a name that translates to “little lion” from German, the Löwchen is a toy breed who was popular among European noblewomen ever since the Middle Ages. It is now among the most expensive dog breeds in the world and for the right reasons, people say.

It has the same lineage as the Bichon Frise and Maltese. Moreover, you can observe in numerous paintings that the little guy hasn’t changed much in terms of appearance over the last five centuries.

The ideal companion dog, the Löwchen loves being around family members regardless of their age. It also enjoys socializing with other dogs and strangers, but not to the same extent. Due to the lack of extensive crossbreeding and genetic alterations, it is a healthy dog. Its life expectancy is of 15 years on average.

1. Samoyed

Price: $4,000 – $10,000

The final entry on this list of expensive dog breeds is the Samoyed, the most expensive dog according to average listed prices. It was originally bred by the Samoyede semi-nomadic people of Asia, who emigrated to Siberia one millennium ago.

Siberia is one of the coldest habitable places on Earth. Extreme values of -60 degrees Celsius are quite common. This is why Samoyeds needed to be resilient enough to withstand the cold. Nevertheless, the fluffballs slept inside with their owners during cold Arctic nights.

Needless to say, the Samoyed doesn’t tolerate hot weather in the slightest. However, it is a loyal, friendly, and kind doggo that gets along with anyone and everyone. Therefore, the sacrifice of owning one is worth it.

Other Expensive Dog Breeds You Might Want to Consider

For now, I will just list here more expensive dog breeds around the world that you might want to consider in case you still want to buy a pet rather than adopting one. If you want me to describe each of these breeds and dogs in detail, let me know in the comment section below! Without wasting any more of your time, here are my other choices (and secret loves) when it comes to the most expensive dog breeds in the world!

1. Saint Bernard – the famous barrel-wearing rescue and working dog
2. The Lakeland Terrier – a joyful but expensive British breed
3. The Black Russian Terrier – a military/working giant with a heart of gold
4. The Bedlington Terrier – a children’s favorite and a small jolly family dog that might set your family’s budget back around $4,000, not to mention it is among the rarest dog breeds in the world.
5. Saluki – one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world raised for hunting
6. The Afghan Hound – one of the most beautiful beasts in the world that might burn a $7,000 hole in your pocket, depending on where you take it from
7. Dogo Argentino – massive, muscular, impressive, and fierce while making one of the best family dogs in the world as long as you exercise it enough
8. The Canadian Eskimo Dog – looking like a Husky but being among the oldest and most expensive dog breeds in the world
9. Cane Corso – it does not cost as much as a Samoyed, but it is a very expensive dog breed and one of the most loved by athletic and dynamic people and families out there
10. Newfoundland – the dog made famous by the Peter Pan book and movie (it was the loving babysitter Nana), this dog may cost up to $1,500 upfront to buy and a couple hundred more each year to own.

So, Which Is the Most Expensive Dog Breed in the World?

By all accounts, the Samoyed is the most expensive dog in the world, with prices revolving around the sum of $10,000 and even more. By comparison, a Saint Bernard can go right into the category of least expensive dog breeds to get for your family. However, as people pointed out, the Tibetan Mastiff puppy sold a few years back for around $2 million is taking the cake.

Final Thoughts

Which of these dogs on the list would you want to buy? What is your favorite dog in the world – expensive or not? Is there any other breed you would add? In case you want me to discuss the other expensive dog breeds mentioned above, leave me a comment and I will update this article with cute photos and dog info.

My favorite canine on this top of most expensive dog breeds in the world has to be the Samoyed, in all its furry splendor. On the other hand, I would adopt a dog instead of buying one, but it is true I do not care much about pedigrees, dog shows, or competitions.

However, I wanted to ask you this: if you had one of these expensive dog breeds at home, would you give your pup a funny dog name or would you choose a serious, imposing name to rise up to the budget you spent on it?

So, if you have any comments or suggestions, let me know below. I’d love to read your thoughts on the matter.