World’s Most Expensive Dog Breeds

Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on March 9th, 2010

Look up “mastiff” in the dictionary and “large” and “powerful” will be among the first words you read. The different mastiff breeds have been bred for guarding and for fighting. The two most expensive dog breeds in the world are the Tibetan Mastiff and French Mastiff.

World's Most Expensive Dog Breeds - Tibetan Mastiff
A Tibetan Mastiff

The largest Tibetan Mastiffs can stand over 31 inches tall and the breed typically weighs over 140 lbs. The dogs can be black, grey, brown or even, in some rare instances, completely white. Best of all, their coats shed odors—they lack the troublesome aroma that afflicts other large dogs. In both their native Tibet and the West, they have been prized as livestock guardians and have even been reported to have killed tigers to protect their flock.

The world’s most expensive dog, Yangtze River No. 2, was a Tibetan Mastiff.

French Mastiff
A French Mastiff
(Image distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.)

Typically standing over 24 inches and weighing more than 100 lbs, the French Mastiff can be a terror if not socialized at an early age. The sport of dog fighting was popular in Bordeaux, France, and the Dogue de Bordeaux, as the breed is more properly called, proudly bears the city’s name. The expensive breed may trace its ancestry to the Alans/Alaunts, a breed of dog from the Middle Ages, or the Bulldog. It was known in France as early as the 14th century and was entered into its first show in the 1863. It wasn’t until the 1920’s, though, that the French Mastiff became a uniform breed. The dog was virtually unknown outside of France until the late 1800s and was threatened with extinction after WWII. In 1970, though, the Dogue de Bordeaux population began to grow again.

Famous French Mastiffs include Beasley, who starred alongside Tom Hanks in Turner & Hooch, and Mac, recently stolen from and returned to Dutch football player Andy van der Meyde.

The average price for a puppy from one of these expensive breeds is $750 to $1,000.

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(55) Comments

55 comments...What do you think?

  1. Posted by ScytheNoire 29th October, 2007 at 11:51 am

    co-workers family has one and as a puppy, it was adorable, but massive. now a few months old, it still thinks it’s a puppy and is just huge. i’m scared to see what it will be like once it’s fully grown.

    funny note, their other family dog, a chiuaua.

  2. Posted by Ivy 18th November, 2007 at 12:31 am

    I thought that the Norwegian Puffin Dog was the most expensive dog cause they are extremely rare.

  3. Posted by dumbdog 16th February, 2008 at 11:58 pm

    Hey I never knew that the dogs that live in my house are the MOST expensive dogs in the WORLD, our dog Boomer weighs in at 192 lbs.

  4. Posted by steve 18th March, 2008 at 11:56 pm

    Who cares about price for a dog. I picked up a big male purebred Wiemarainer at the local pound for $42. I live on Maui, and some moron got this dog for an apartment. This dog could hunt pig, would point, could flush, and he could retrieve on land and in water. At 110 pounds he was also an intimidating watch dog. I have owned a dozen dogs of different breeds and the Weimaraner whips them all !!

  5. Posted by French Mastiff Is the Most Expensive Dog Breed - bLavish 22nd May, 2008 at 9:37 am

    [...] what can you expect to pay for the most expensive dog breed around?  Try around $2300 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.  Ouch, how much are they at the [...]

  6. Posted by French Mastiff Is the Most Expensive Dog Breed | Schulmafia 29th May, 2008 at 9:07 am

    [...] what can you expect to pay for the most expensive dog breed around?  Try around $2300 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.  Ouch, how much are they at the [...]

  7. Posted by terrisa 22nd June, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    goldendoodles a mix of a golden retreiver and poodle sells for 3k. you can buy pure breed english bulldog for 5k and some greyhounds can cost well in to the 10k price range. so there really isnt a most expensive “breed” it depends on how popular, where you get it, and its blood line.

  8. Posted by Norfolk_lover 8th July, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    That’s not true! It’s not the most expensive!!! My dog was $3000 and the breed, Norfolk Terrier, ranges from prices $2750-$3500

  9. Posted by imbo 9th July, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Well is your dog a puppy?

  10. Posted by stan ellis 9th July, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    the dog in the picture is my dog, gibson.

    Check my website ( http://www.pbase.com/stanlsu )

    He’s over a year and a half now and weighs 125!

  11. Posted by Catalover 26th July, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    And I thought my black purbred akc chihuahua was expensive!!!

  12. Posted by Lavish Land » Blog Archive » Most Expensive Dog Breed: French Mastiff 29th July, 2008 at 5:43 am

    [...] what can you expect to pay for the most expensive dog breed around?  Try around $2300 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.  Ouch, how much are they at the [...]

  13. Posted by DESIRAY 13th September, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    I am not sure about this being the most exp. breed. Try looking up a while breed english bulldog. $2300 is cheep. They are both beautiful dogs!

  14. Posted by Massia 3rd October, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    Hi, sorry I don’t think thats true. I was passing a pet shop in L.A. the other day and an English Bulldog over 2 months old (the older the cheaper) that was already more expensive than $2300. And thats only from a shop not even breeder. In China, a pure breed Tibetan Mastiff can easily break our humble being’s bank, ranging from $100,00 to half a million. Feel sorry for dogs though, lots of them was bought not for love but for status. And finally, I love my dog and is so proud of her because she is so well behaved!!

  15. Posted by Melissa Chatham 16th November, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    I think that hes a really cute puppy but I dont think he would make a good pet.

  16. Posted by Daryl 25th November, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    I’m happy someone else knows what a Tibetan Mastiff is! I have an almost 2 year old purebred that I got when he was 12 weeks and I’m almost embarrassed by how much we spent on him!! They are definitely in the running for, if not the most expensive puppies in the world.

  17. Posted by breanna 16th December, 2008 at 11:39 am

    this is a cute puppy

  18. Posted by tucker 20th December, 2008 at 9:53 am

    well, those are some price shock tags for dogs… But the Ashera price tag is between 22k and 42k some wacky scientist cross breed an Asian lepord and a domestic cat and selling them as pets

  19. Posted by leelee 31st December, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    he’s really cute but Ive seen cuter dogs….for less

  20. Posted by Parker 18th January, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Okay everyone listen,

    You guys are absolute idiots. I am only fourteen and I know more about rare dog breeds than any of you here. Granted, my mother is a vetenarian but I have learned things for myslef. Dogue de Bordeux (a.k.a French Masitffs for those of you stupid enough to think they are two different things) are extremely loveable dogs. The first person who commented here- yeah guess what. Do be scared because I swear to god if you do not respect that dog you will be in for a huge surprise. And also, what’s the problem with a dog being big? Little dogs are just wimpy okay. And yes, they are expenssive but the money is well worth this dog. There were only about 500 in the U.S. UNTIL the movie Turner and Hooch came out. Then all of a sudden there was a mad rush to get them. Well guess what, I had a dogue de bordeux well before that movie and guess what, i Know more about this breed than any of you breeders or people who try to educate people on this breed with FALSE information. Do some research before you say anything, because even if you read all the books in the world you will never have the guts to buy one of these dogs becuase you find drool disgusting. That’s right the only real dog lovers here are clearly those who own this webiste or the second comment.

    By the way Boomer is my dogs name also, (also known as BOO)

    Hope you do some research. It will set you straight.

  21. Posted by Parker 18th January, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    oh and leelee, I just have one thing to say:
    A cuter dog? Wow that’s big of you.

  22. Posted by emma 30th January, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    it not the most expensive my dog was 6.5 million dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Posted by NORMA 21st February, 2009 at 9:25 am

    THAT DOG IS SO CUTE OMG

  24. Posted by daniel 24th February, 2009 at 11:47 am

    american bullies (apbt x amstaff) are more expensive, they range from $1500-$10,000+

  25. Posted by terryon 24th February, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    I have this dog and its a baby one and it is playful and when you run away from it will chase you and it will bark at you and when it mine barked at me i ran on my the couch and it barked at me loud but he is a good pet for me.

  26. Posted by Amber 9th March, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    There are more dogs that are cuter than this and they’re cheaper

  27. Posted by luke 13th March, 2009 at 1:49 am

    actually the most expensive dog was a labrador retriever, it was a clone that cost $155,000 :D

  28. Posted by jeremy 20th March, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Ah, but clones aren’t a breed. Check out our article on The Most Expensive Dog Ever Sold for information on the cloned retriever.

  29. Posted by samson G 24th April, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    my dog is a poodle and its annoying

  30. Posted by spirit 25th April, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    does it matter how much the dog costs ? i have a pack ( 6 ) rescue german shepherds that have cost me next to nothing in terms of money to buy them but many a sleepless month laying on the kitchen floor each night with bottles of med and hugs. i paid with tears and sleepless nights when vets thought my dogs would not pull through and i was paid in full each and every day when i watch them run free in the fields and wag there tail when i come home . there is no price on love all dogs need guidance love and a firm fair caretaker in a home where they are free from stress and neglect forget the price every wag of the tail is worth more than a million pound
    i came across this site while browsing if anyone wants to contact me my email addres is
    decayedsoultear@poetic.com

  31. Posted by leigh 28th April, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    What a load of bull. Dogs are for loving- not for status. Some of our best dogs have been dumped on us. By the way, little girl- small dogs are only small in stature. They have the hearts of lions. And as for me respecting the dog- the dog is supposed to respect ME. I am the Alpha dog in my house.

  32. Posted by Michele 28th April, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    GO CORGIs

  33. Posted by mia 1st May, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Some pit bulls range anywhere from 1200 to 6000 depending on the blood line.

  34. Posted by jim 5th May, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    That bratty 14 year old “Parker” who thought he knew everything about dogs is ill-informed and a liar. The movie Turner and Hooch came out in 1989; well before he was born. I was his age at the time.

  35. Posted by lokitOoOoOoO 26th May, 2009 at 10:17 am

    My friend has oun, and it’s a girl.
    it’s…sooooooooooooo cute and has blue eyes.
    Her name is Anala. And shis BIG AS HELL

  36. Posted by #1animal lover 25th June, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Dear comentors And Parker I’ve studied dogs all my life and had exsperianses with dogs and to belive me no breed of dog is mean all are misunderstud by there size origin of when breed and there back ground from dog owners simply that had a dog and treated it like trash And Parker what about the new coments I know probibly more than some people do that dogue de bordeaux are friendly but the commenters are probibly going by trained dogs to protection and hunting that just attackt the wrong thing at a matter of there love for there owner but calling someone an idiot gets you knowhere belive me Ive been throw people thinking one very kind breed is agressive

  37. Posted by #1animal lover 26th June, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    And “PARKER” I think you don’t know hardly anything about RARE DOG BREEDS or you would know small dogs aren’t WIMPY I bet Youv’e herd of the American Coker spanial A SMALL breed can carry game its own weight and size you are just trying to make people mad

  38. Posted by #1animal lover 27th June, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Dear luke and jeremy.A Clone is a breed its just that they have an animal that is pregnant then someone blast out the fathers DNA with The mothers DNA and the embryo grows until Its born and its a natural dog just stunned with todays tecnoligy

  39. Posted by Bob Marshal 10th July, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    Most expensive dog? Taking her Bichon Frise to the pound would probably cost me a minimum $1 Million in alimony

  40. Posted by donna 11th July, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    I don’t buy a dog that expensive! Paris Hilton can own that dog:D

  41. Posted by Brandon 27th July, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Its so ugly. Somebody kick it

  42. Posted by Anirudh 13th August, 2009 at 1:48 am

    Dude i never knew Tibetan Mastiffs were so damn expensive coz i am from india and have an orchard in the himalayan region and therefore the local dogs there are T.mastiffs and i own like 4 of them and trust me up here you get them for like 2K INR which is like $43 approx

  43. Posted by Jayna 15th August, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    Hope someone kicks you Brandon. Way to be mature. And if you ever have kicked a dog….I hope it bit the %^$# outta you

  44. Posted by jr 5th September, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    I hear you Brandon. It’s anyone close enough to kick it, it is very UGLY!!!!

  45. Posted by Blade 6th September, 2009 at 10:33 am

    Uhhh, it said most expensive BREED… “goldendoodles”, “puggles”, cockapoos” and all those other fad dogs are glorified mutts, and are not yet an established breeds (maybe if the people who breed them would quit giving them such ridiculous buzz names, the AKC might take them seriously…) Its just a shame that people fall for it; I’m not saying that mixed-breeds don’t make great pets too, but $3,000 for a dog you can’t even enter in a dog show? mmmmm, no. lol

  46. Posted by east 14th September, 2009 at 9:50 am

    Usually the inital cost of a puppy is just a drop in the bucket compared to the cost if caring for them for their lifetime. So whether the dog is free or $3000 it is pretty much a wash. When I paid for my puppy I was paying for predictability of what he would be as a dog, size, coat and temperment. I got what I paid for. Unlike other dogs at the dog park who were supposed to be 20-30lbs (based on what the humane society or causal breeder told them) and now tip the scales at 60-80 lbs.

  47. Posted by robert 14th September, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    this dog is cute(:

  48. Posted by lexi 16th October, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    expensive does not equal cute and even if the dogs ugly kicking one would just be wrong but heads

  49. Posted by Lisa 10th November, 2009 at 12:40 am

    I have 3 of these beautiful dogs currently and they are hands down, the best dogs I’ve ever owned. I’ve had everything from Doberman, ChowChow, German Sherperd, Collie and Rotts. You can’t beat their temperment, how they are with kids and how protective they are. My male puppy is now 8 months old and 135 lbs. I don’t care how much they cost me, they’re worth every penny.

    Brandon sounds like he’s been kicked a time or 40.

  50. Posted by holly 24th November, 2009 at 5:51 am

    i have he most beautiful dog in the wold she is a Yorkshire terrier caled princess diva lea she loves to have all the attention on her she loves to go out with her friends she loves to be pampered and loves her nails done

  51. Posted by lee isaac 28th December, 2009 at 4:28 am

    why is that dog expensive? that dog is just a ugly stupid. my dog is 67 years

  52. Posted by #1 animal lover 4th January, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    Why would someone kick a poor pup just because its ugly people think since they are smarter than all living things they can punish anything that they think its ugly. just because someone thinks its they can kick it, and if they did in some areas in the US would be arrested for Animal cruelty.

  53. Posted by MWAHAHA! 10th January, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    cute puppy ^_^ but not a cute price -_-! i rather get a small lapdog i got my yorkshire terrier for $600 wen he was 6 weeks *yound i noe but his mom got an operation and culd no longer take care of them* and hes 7 months turning too 8

  54. Posted by Trish Watson 12th January, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    I believe the Mi-ki is also up there in price. They are a designer rare toy breed>>NOT A HYBRID. They are a recognized breed. Not yet established as an AKC Breed. They are considered a young breed having been introduced to the US about 30 years ago. They are like little teddy bears. They come in long and smooth coats. The sole purpose of the Mi-Ki is that of a companion and house pet. The “pet price” is normally $2500 for males and $3500 for females. “Breeder” prices can be expected to be at least double the pet price. Everyone who meets a Mi-Ki instantly falls in love. So even at such a designer price, many old ladies just can’t resist these adorable cuddly companions. And yes, I have one :-)

  55. Posted by Snow Lion 18th January, 2010 at 12:48 am

    A pair of the rarest dogs in the world, Snow Lions, (aka: white Tibetan Mastiffs) are for sale for $1.2 million. They are the only breeding pair outside of China in the entire world.

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