The Most Expensive Dogs of the World
Money can’t buy you love, as the Beatles sang . . . but it can buy you some very pricey puppies. Pedigree pups aren’t cheap: after all, you’re paying for all the time and effort the breeder has put into breeding and raising the puppies. Certain canine bloodlines from champion dogs, whether it is for agility, hunting, or showning, often lead to increased prices. Both popular and rare breeds can be expensive, especially if there’s a demand for them.
Let’s count down the top five most expensive dogs in the world.
Imagine a dog. Now imagine a large dog. Now imagine a very large, very hairy, very rare dog. Now you have some idea of what a Tibetan Mastiff is like. These Himalayan dogs are intelligent, strong willed, and very determined. Originally bred to protect herds from predators such as wolves, leopards, and tigers, pure Tibetan Mastiffs are rare outside of Tibet. In 2011, a red Tibetan mastiff named Big Splash was sold to a Chinese coal baron for approximately $1.5 million, making him the most expensive dog in the world. However, this is a rare case, as these dogs generally cost up to $7000.
Czechoslovakian Vlcak
This pricey breed is also called the Czechoslovakian Wolf Dog. It’s hard to say how much one of these dogs will set you back, but your wallet will definitely feel a lot lighter after buying one. Firstly you’ve got to fly to the Czech Republic, as these dogs are rare and almost unknown outside their homeland. They were first bred there in the 1950s by crossing German Shepherds with Carpathian wolves. This produced a wolf-dog hybrid that is brave, lively, and full of personality, though it’s certainly not a dog for an inexperienced owner as they are often temperamental.
Azawakh
This African sight-hound originated in the Southern Sahara region of Africa. Nomadic tribes of the region used this dog as a guard dog and for hunting. Their incredible bursts of speed allow them to catch speedy prey such as hares. Their fiery courage means they will often face down larger predators.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
If you ever seen an advert for one of these, don’t let the name mislead you: you’re getting a dog, not a flower. Sometimes called the Peruvian Hairless Dog or Moonflower dog, this dog is completely bald except for its head, where fine wisps of hair grow. Loyal and affectionate, the Peruvian Inca Orchid’s ancestors lived in the homes of Incan nobility, and they may have origins as far back as 750 AD. Spanish explorers visiting South America in the early 1500s were probably the first Westerners to ever lay eyes on these hairless dogs.
The Spanish conquest of Peru nearly killed the breed, but fortunately the dogs in rural areas survived the devastation. In more recent times, a breeding program was set up in America; however, due to a limited gene pool, the Peruvian Orchids bred in America look a little different from the dogs that you would find in Peru.
Slim, silky, and stylish, Salukis are the supermodels of the dog world. Sometimes called Gazelle hounds, the Saluki is named after a now long-gone Middle Eastern city. They were treated like royalty in Egypt, where they were used for hunting. Many Pharaohs’ tombs contain the mummified bodies of these cherished dogs. Nomadic Muslim tribes valued them as gifts from Allah, letting them sleep in their tents. They would never sell them, but would only offer them as gifts of honour or friendship.
