Most precious pawprints on our hearts come from the most expensive dogs

Published on August 22, 2022 19:25 PM by FactsWOW Team

It doesn't matter whether you choose fluffy dogs, toy dog breeds, dogs that look like teddy bears, smart dogs, or loyal dogs; you'll have to pay some kibble for any dog. Veterinary care, food, toys, treats, grooming, dog boarding, and dog walking fees are also expensive. For this list of the most expensive dog breeds, we used the initial cost and the cost of purchasing the dog.

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To come up with an average puppy price, we pawed through puppy listings across the country since there aren't set-in-stone prices for dog breeds. When it comes to puppy listings, it's best to carefully research the breeder, read reviews, and ask as many questions as possible before choosing one.

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Several factors influence price. Whether the dog is bred to be popular, whether it is rare, or whether it comes from a high pedigree, the price is determined by several factors. This breed fetches a higher price tag for whatever reason, and dog lovers will swear it's worth it.

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It would help if you considered more than the dog's purchase price regarding dog ownership. It would be best if you also considered long-term costs. The price of some dog breeds is higher than others if you do a little research. Considering the purchase price of the dog, grooming expenses, and potential health care costs due to common breed-related problems, the following dogs are the most expensive to own.

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Portuguese Water Dog

The average Portuguese Water Dog costs $2,500, so you might want to consider adopting one instead. Its name suggests that this medium-sized dog loves water and costs around $53 to groom every time it goes to the groomer. The breed has an average life expectancy of ten to fourteen years and medical expenses of around $2,700.

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Irish Wolfhound

With an average price tag of $1,800, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the most expensive dog breeds to own and buy. Although this dog gets along well with everyone, it has a short life span of only six to ten years. You can expect to spend approximately $65 on grooming for this dog and around $7,700 on potential medical expenses.

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Saint Bernard

A Saint Bernard typically costs $1,500 and has a calm and patient temperament, making it ideal for families and dog show handlers. Generally, this giant breed costs around $60 to groom and lives between eight and ten years. A Saint Bernard's potential healthcare costs hover at approximately $8,600, which is why it is such an expensive pet.

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Golden Retriever

You can expect to pay around $1,000 for a purebred Golden Retriever, often referred to as the perfect family dog. You can expect to pay around $56 to groom this dog every time you take it to the groomer. A dog of this breed can survive for 10 to 12 years on average. However, it has a high risk of serious illnesses, including cancer, resulting in a medical bill of around $17,500.

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Old English Sheepdog

A great watchdog that’s great with kids, the Old English Sheepdog is a good choice. Typically, this breed costs $1,200, requires $88 in grooming fees per visit, and could cost $7,600 in healthcare costs. Dogs of this breed have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

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Newfoundland

A Newfoundland is a famous dog for its appearance in Peter Pan and usually costs around $1,500 to buy. Despite being gentle and trainable, this giant breed regularly requires regular professional grooming, which costs about $65 per visit. Several predisposing medical conditions could result in healthcare costs totaling $5,500, including cardiomyopathy and gastric dilatation volvulus.

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Black Russian Terrier

This large breed has a life span of 10 to 14 years, and professional grooming costs $105. It is one of the most expensive dogs on the market, with an average price of $1,800. Additionally, you should expect to pay about $6,000 in healthcare costs to handle common orthopedic and eye conditions.

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German Shepherd

Dogs of this breed are gentle and good-tempered, with an average price tag of $800. They need approximately $40 in grooming and usually live 10 to 13 years on average. One of the most expensive dogs to own is the German Shepherd. Still, it could cost as much as $20,500 to treat a variety of common conditions, such as hip dysplasia and perianal fistulas - making it one of the most expensive breeds.

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Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is a large breed that can cost around $1,200 to buy and live for up to ten years. You'll have to pay an average grooming bill of $36 for this short-haired dog. In addition, Rottweiler has several health concerns, making them expensive to own, resulting in potential healthcare costs of up to $7,800.

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Tibetan Mastiff

Dogs like the Tibetan Mastiff are the most expensive to own. They usually cost $2,500 on average. Known as an excellent watchdog, the Tibetan Mastiff needs about $70 worth of grooming per professional visit. A common health issue such as hip and elbow dysplasia can cost around $3,000, and the breed has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.

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Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are large dogs that cost around $1,200 as pets. These curious, energetic dogs average a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years and require grooming services that cost at least $85 each due to their heavy coats. The healthcare costs for this dog total $7,700 because he is at high risk for various diseases, including diabetes mellitus.

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Spinone Italiano

In addition to being priced at $1,500 on average, Spinone Italianos are family-friendly pets with a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years. Grooming these family-friendly pets costs about $55. Several common health problems, including hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation volvulus, result in average medical expenses of $3,000 for the breed.

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French Bulldog

In addition to being one of the most expensive dogs to buy, the French Bulldog doesn't require much exercise, is ideal for city living, and grooming costs an average of $35. Despite this, this breed is expected to have an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, with healthcare costs of about $4,300 on average.

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Bernese Mountain Dog

An average Bernese Mountain Dog costs around $800, making it popular as a family dog and show dog. In addition to elbow and hip dysplasia and aseptic meningitis, this large breed has a very short lifespan of 7 to 10 years, resulting in healthcare costs of around $6,500 for common issues. Dogs weighing 70 pounds to 120 pounds cost approximately $75 to groom.

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Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is the most inexpensive dog on the list, costing approximately $600, with an average lifespan of 12-15 years. However, grooming averages $60 per dog, and typical medical expenses average at least $7,000, depending on their health.

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Miniature Bull Terrier

Miniature Bull Terriers are small dogs with lots of energy, costing approximately $50 to groom. They are one of the most expensive breeds to own because of their average price of $1,200. These dogs generally live for ten to twelve years, costing around $50 to groom. They are generally healthy, and their healthcare costs average $1,500. Ensure you buy them from a reputable breeder to avoid high healthcare costs.

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Great Dane

In addition to costing around $800, Great Danes are relatively easy to groom, resulting in an average grooming cost of $48. Aside from being predisposed to many costly health concerns, these dogs have a shorter life expectancy of 7 to 10 years due to stomach conditions and cardiomyopathy. As a result, Great Danes are among the most expensive breeds to own — an average health cost of $7,100 is common.

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Bedlington Terrier

As one of the most expensive dogs to own, the Bedlington Terrier can cost up to $1,800 in the purchase and $3,700 in healthcare costs. This somewhat unusual terrier breed is excellent for apartment living despite its small size. It lives for 14 to 16 years, and grooming costs are approximately $50.

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Staffordshire Bull Terrier

These medium-sized, energetic dogs have modest grooming needs, requiring approximately $48 per grooming visit; The average price of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is $1,500. These dogs enjoy long walks and have modest grooming needs. If you buy one, you can expect your dog to live for 12 to 14 years. For general health issues, you should expect to pay $3,500.

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Afghan Hound

It is the longest, most glamorous coat of an Afghan Hound that requires daily grooming to keep its hair in good condition. Afghan Hounds cost about $2,000 to buy from a breeder. As one of the most expensive dogs to groom, professional grooming costs $65 per visit. The average lifespan of this breed is 12 to 14 years, which may result in $2,900 in healthcare costs if the dog develops cataracts or hypothyroidism.

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English Bulldog

This dog is one of the friendliest and can be acquired for approximately $1,250. The average grooming cost is $48. The English Bulldog makes a great addition to any family with children. Aside from their short life expectancy of eight years, they are also susceptible to many health concerns, making them one of the most expensive dogs to own - their average health costs reach $5,700.

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Lakeland Terrier

Some terriers have made owners millions of dollars, but be aware that they also tend to require expensive upfront and maintenance costs. A smaller breed with an average price tag of $1,200, the Lakeland Terrier was originally bred to hunt vermin in Northern England.

As a dog that loves people, it is among the most expensive to own due to its high grooming cost, which averages $65, and finding a groomer who understands the breed's distinctive style can be challenging.

Though the Lakeland Terrier breed is not prone to many health problems, you could spend approximately $1,000 on healthcare expenses for an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Its show dog status makes it one of the most expensive breeds. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are typical $1,200 dogs, but grooming them is relatively easy, costing $55 per visit on average.

Dogs of this breed typically live between 10 and 14 years and are prone to various health conditions so they might incur a $1,350 medical bill in the future.

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Pharaoh Hound

Intuitive, active, and friendly, the Pharaoh Hound is one of the most expensive dogs due to its average purchase price of $1,250.

There are possible issues that can cost approximately $1,500 to treat in this large breed, but grooming costs approximately $27 for this short-haired breed. The average life expectancy is 11 to 14 years.

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Ibizan Hound

Among the most expensive dogs to own is the Ibizan Hound, which costs $1,300 for its purchase price. It has a long-life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and is easy to groom with its smooth and wire coats, which cost $25 on average.

There is a low and medium risk of hip dysplasia and deafness for purebred Ibizan Hounds, which could result in $1,600 in healthcare costs.

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Dogo Argentino

Despite its hefty average purchase price of $1,200, the Dogo Argentino is an Argentinian big-game hunter and guardian breed. Generally speaking, this large breed can live up to 12 to 14 years, and its grooming costs are $35.

Healthcare costs to treat hip dysplasia and deafness, both conditions common to the breed, could be $1,600.

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Samoyed

There are many reasons to buy a Samoyed, which is known as a kind, loving, eager-to-please breed. It has a thick, white coat that needs to be brushed twice or three times weekly, and professional grooming costs about $60 per visit.

Dogs with this breed have a life expectancy of 12-14 years and are more likely to suffer from expensive medical conditions, such as corneal dystrophy and autoimmune conditions, which can cost more than $4,800.

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Akita

You can expect to spend about $62 each time you groom your family-friendly American Akita, which costs around $800 on average. These dogs shed in the spring and fall and have an 11 to 15-year life expectancy.

There are many health issues that Akitas can suffer from, including hip dysplasia, knee injuries, and skin diseases, resulting in an average cost of $4,500 in healthcare costs.

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Yorkshire Terriers

A Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, costs about $600 to buy and can live for 13 to 16 years on average. Because these tiny purse dogs are prone to several health problems, including eye and knee problems, they could cost you $9,800 in healthcare costs on average.

You can expect to spend about $31 per grooming session with this high-maintenance breed, even though it doesn't shed much.

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Chow Chow

It typically costs $900 to buy a Chow Chow, which finds a home in your backyard. It typically costs $90 to groom this medium-sized dog. Chow Chows have a life expectancy that ranges from 8 to 12 years, and typical healthcare costs can reach $11,000 per year.

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