10 of the Most Expensive Dog Breeds That Are Worth Every Penny

Pedigree, location, and demand can make some breeds more expensive than others.

Before you can bring your new pup, you’ll need to prepare your bank account, too, especially if you're bringing home one of the most expensive dog breeds.

The initial cost of purchasing a dog can vary wildly depending on where you live, as well as whether you adopt from an animal shelter or buy from a reputable breeder. The price also varies from breed to breed, with some trendy pups topping out at more than $4,000.

Curious to know which pooches command the highest prices? Here’s a snapshot of some of the most expensive dog breeds around, based on average prices currently listed on Good Dog, a platform for breeders, shelters, and rescues.

Expensive Dog Breed Characteristics

The most expensive dog breeds are typically rare or in high demand. Some pups are also more costly to breed, and those extra expenses are reflected in the initial purchase price. Cost can also vary depending on pedigree—for example, if you want to be able to trace your pup’s lineage back several generations, you’ll likely pay more. Puppies whose parents have won dog shows and competitions also usually cost more.

Prices vary greatly depending on the location, breed lineage, and other factors. If you’re interested in a particular breed, shop around to get a sense of the going rate for a dog in your area. Always research a potential breeder to avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders.

Bulldog (English Bulldog)

Average Price: $4,250

With their wrinkly faces and stocky frames, English bulldogs are downright adorable. Their calm, gentle demeanor also makes them a top pick for families. These popular pups are also relatively low-maintenance—so long as you don’t mind cleaning up a little slobber from time to time. One big reason this breed can be so pricey? Because of their anatomy, most are conceived via artificial insemination and delivered via Cesarean section, which adds to the cost of breeding them.

Breed Overview

Group: Non-sporting

Height: 14 to 15 inches

Weight: 40 to 50 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Friendly, gentle, laid-back

Energy Level: Low

Coat and Color: Straight, short, and smooth. Red, white, fawn, or pale brown. Brindle, flecked, speckled, piebald, black masks, black tipping.

Life Span: 8 to 10 years

French Bulldog (Frenchie)

Average Price: $4,250

One look at a Frenchie and you’ll likely fall in love. These small, flat-faced dogs are irresistibly charming, which is a big reason why they’re the most popular breed in the United States for the second year running. Like English bulldogs, Frenchies require extra care and attention from breeders, which boosts the price. Females usually have to be artificially inseminated, and puppies are typically born via C-section. Though they’re wildly popular, Frenchies also tend to have small litters—and the limited supply coupled with high demand means you’ll pay a pretty penny for one.

Breed Overview

Group: Non-sporting

Height: 11 to 13 inches

Weight: 19 to 28 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Cuddly, social, loyal, calm

Energy Level: Low

Coat and Color: Short and smooth. Brindle, fawn, white, or a combination of these colors.

Life Span: 10 to 12 years

Tibetan Mastiff

Average Price: $4,000

With their lion-like manes and huge size, Tibetan mastiffs are an impressive sight to behold. These guardian dogs have strong instincts when it comes to protecting people and property, which can make them seem standoffish and disinterested in affection. They’re rare, which is one reason why they’re so expensive. But they’re also costly because of their pure bloodlines: In 2014, one in China sold for $1.95 million.

Breed Overview

Group: Working

Height: 24 to 26 inches

Weight: 70 to 150 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Protective, aloof, independent, wilful, intelligent

Energy Level: Low

Coat and Color: Thick and straight. Double outer coat, plus under coat. Black, brown, blue, gray, or gold

Life Span: 10 to 12 years

Samoyed (Sammie)

Average Price: $3,750

Fluffy white Samoyeds are friendly, playful companions that always seem to be smiling. These thick-coated pups are ideal for active families who love to bring their four-legged friends on adventures whenever possible. Sammies are among the most popular breeds in the United States—number 50, according to the latest stats from the American Kennel Club—and this demand contributes to their high price.

Breed Overview

Group: Working

Height: 19 to 23.5 inches

Weight: 35 to 60 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, hardy, playful, upbeat

Energy Level: High

Coat and Color: Thick and straight double coat. Bright white, cream, or biscuit.

Life Span: 12 to 14 years

Biewer Terrier

Average Price: $3,500

These tiny pups are likely to melt your heart with their big personalities. Personable and outgoing, Biewer terriers (pronounced like “beaver”) are one of the newer breeds on the block, having been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2021. But, already, they’re becoming highly sought-after dogs. Their popularity and novelty mean breeders can charge more for these spunky, tri-color pups.

Breed Overview

Group: Toy

Height: 7 to 11 inches

Weight: 4 to 8 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Social, loyal, cuddly, smart

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Long, silky single coat. Blue/black, gold/tan, or white

Life Span: 14 to 16 years

Portuguese Water Dog (Porties)

Average Price: $3,500

The Obamas helped introduce these lovable, athletic dogs to the world: The family had two Porties living with them during their time in the White House, Sunny and Bo. But beyond their recent presidential publicity, Portuguese water dogs are also popular because they’re smart, eager to please, family-friendly, and affectionate. As a hypoallergenic breed, they’re also a top choice for allergy sufferers.

Breed Overview

Group: Working

Height: 17 to 23 inches

Weight: 35 to 60 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Spunky, playful, outgoing

Energy Level: High

Coat and Color: Wavy or tightly curled. Black, black and white, brown; Sometimes white- or silver-tipped.

Life Span: 10 to 13 years

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Average price: $3,450

With their goofy personalities and soulful brown eyes, Greater Swiss mountain dogs are worth every penny of their high price tag—and then some. Originally bred for pulling and herding, Swissies still love having a job, whether that’s being a therapy dog, helping out with search and rescue missions, or just guarding a property. They also love spending quality time with their human companions.

Breed Overview

Group: Working

Height: 23.7 to 28.5 inches

Weight: 85 to 140 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Playful, outgoing, loving

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Short and smooth. Black, red, and white.

Life Span: 8 to 11 years

Irish Wolfhound

Average price: $3,250

Don’t let their stature fool you: These long-legged pups are gentle giants who make great companion animals for families. High upfront costs aside, these extra-large dogs also require a pretty big food budget—as you might imagine, they eat a lot. They also need plenty of room to roam around so, ideally, you’d also have a spacious home and property, too.

Breed Overview

Group: Hound

Height: 30 to 25 inches

Weight: 105 to 180 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Calm, gentle, friendly

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Medium-length and wiry. Black, blue, cream, fawn, gray, red, white, and brindle.

Life Span: 6 to 10 years

Newfoundland (Newfie)

Average price: $3,250

Newfies are another hefty dog breed with a hefty price tag. These sweet, even-keeled dogs spend much of their time lounging around—even when there’s chaos all around them. But, be forewarned: Despite their enormous size, many Newfoundlands consider themselves lap dogs. The Newfie’s “love language” is definitely physical touch.

Breed Overview

Group: Working

Height: 26 to 28 inches

Weight: 100 to 150 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Calm, affectionate, loyal

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Long, thick doublecoat. Black, brown, gray, white and black.

Life Span: 8 to 10 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Average price: $3,000

Blame this breed’s high price tag on its royal roots: These tiny pups were beloved by King Charles I and King Charles II, hence their regal name. They’re also incredibly popular, coming in at 14 on the American Kennel Club’s most recent list. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are eager to please, easy to train, and adaptable to a wide array of situations. Just be sure to save up some extra cash for grooming, as their flowing locks need regular maintenance.

Breed Overview

Group: Toy

Height: 12 to 13 inches

Weight: 13 to 18 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Social, playful, gentle

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Long and silky. Tricolor, Blenheim (red and white), ruby, and black and tan.

Life Span: 12 to 18 years

Lifetime Costs of Owning a Dog

Whether you choose an expensive or inexpensive breed, remember that the cost of owning a dog goes way beyond the initial purchase price. Before you commit to your next pet, consider the ongoing costs of caring for one. You’ll need to spend money on food, municipal licensing fees, vaccines, dental hygiene, grooming, toys, beds, leashes, boarding for when you go on vacation, and more. And those are just the routine costs of pet ownership—don’t forget to save a little extra for surprises, like emergency vet visits (pet insurance can help with this, too).

So, how do you know when you’re financially ready to adopt a dog? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but a good place to start is by taking a closer look at your income and expenses. How much money do you have coming in every month, and how much are you spending? And how might those expenses change once you bring a pup home?

“The costs can add up, but budgeting for them can help,” says Brandi H. Munden, a spokeswoman for the American Kennel Club. “Most people tend to overlook one aspect or another, but each of them is important to ensuring that we give our pets the best life possible because they deserve it.”

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.