Some dog breeds don’t just look luxurious – they also come with luxury-level price tags. In the US and UK, certain dogs can cost several thousand dollars or pounds to buy, and even more to maintain over their lifetime through food, grooming, insurance and vet care.
In this guide, we’ll look at 15 of the most expensive dog breeds when you combine:
Typical purchase price from reputable breeders
Grooming and coat care costs
Food, insurance and vet bills (especially for large or health-prone breeds)
If you’re considering one of these dogs, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get them – but you should plan your budget realistically before you fall in love with those big eyes or fluffy coat.
Overview: Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Own
| # | Breed | Type | Why It’s Expensive | Ongoing Cost Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tibetan Mastiff | Giant guardian | High purchase price, huge food and vet costs | Very high |
| 2 | Samoyed | Spitz, heavy coat | Expensive puppies, intensive grooming | High |
| 3 | French Bulldog | Small companion | Very high demand, frequent medical issues | Very high |
| 4 | English Bulldog | Companion, brachycephalic | Costly to buy and insure, health problems | Very high |
| 5 | Chow Chow | Spitz, heavy coat | High purchase price, grooming and health care | High |
| 6 | Bernese Mountain Dog | Large working dog | Big size, health issues, shorter lifespan | High |
| 7 | Irish Wolfhound | Giant sighthound | Enormous food and vet bills | Very high |
| 8 | Afghan Hound | Sighthound | Show-style grooming, high breeder prices | High |
| 9 | Saluki | Sighthound | Rare, high breeder demand | Moderate–high |
| 10 | Pharaoh Hound | Sighthound | Uncommon, import costs, careful breeding | High |
| 11 | Portuguese Water Dog | Working water dog | Low-shedding coat with heavy grooming needs | High |
| 12 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Toy companion | Popular, plus serious inherited health issues | High |
| 13 | Pomeranian | Toy companion | High purchase price for tiny “teddy” types | Moderate–high |
| 14 | Rottweiler | Large guardian | Large size, training, insurance and vet bills | High |
| 15 | Great Dane | Giant companion | Huge food intake, short lifespan, vet costs | Very high |
Note: Purchase price and costs vary widely by country, breeder quality and individual dog. This list is a general guide, not an exact ranking.
1. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs are legendary for their lion-like mane and guardian instincts – and for their price.
Why they’re expensive to buy: Rare outside specialised breeders, some lines have sold for extremely high prices.
Why they’re expensive to maintain:
Giant size means very large food bills.
Need secure fencing and strong equipment.
Insurance and vet care for giant breeds can be costly.
Best for: Very experienced dog owners with space, time and budget for a powerful guardian breed.
2. Samoyed
Samoyeds are fluffy white “smiling” dogs originally bred for work in cold climates.
Purchase price: Usually high due to popularity and careful breeding.
Ongoing costs:
Heavy double coat requires frequent brushing and regular professional grooming.
Active dogs needing quality food and regular exercise.
Hidden costs: Grooming tools, de-shedding services, and extra cleaning for white fur and mud.
3. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are one of the trendiest small breeds in both the US and UK – and that demand drives prices up.
Purchase price: High demand, small litters and often high breeder pricing.
Why maintenance is costly:
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) anatomy can lead to breathing issues.
Common skin, allergy and spinal problems.
Pet insurance premiums are often among the highest.
Budget tips: Factor in possible surgeries (for example, airway correction) and lifelong insurance.
4. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is iconic but often fragile, with many breed-related health challenges.
Purchase price: Popularity plus expensive caesarean births for many litters.
Ongoing costs:
Breathing, joint and skin problems are common.
May need special diets and regular vet visits.
High insurance costs in both US and UK markets.
Reality check: If you love this breed, choose the healthiest lines you can find and be ready for long-term medical bills.
5. Chow Chow
With their lion-like mane and blue-black tongue, Chow Chows look like living teddy bears – but they are expensive to maintain.
Why they’re pricey: Distinctive appearance and limited reputable breeding.
Cost drivers:
Thick coat requires frequent grooming and sometimes professional de-matting.
Can be prone to joint, eye and skin issues.
Best suited to: Experienced owners who can afford grooming and are comfortable with a more independent, sometimes aloof temperament.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants with a striking tri-colour coat – and unfortunately, relatively short lifespans.
Purchase price: High due to popularity and limited, careful breeding.
Lifetime costs:
Large size = high-quality food bills and big doses for any medications.
Prone to joint problems and some cancers.
Emotional cost: Average life expectancy is shorter than many other breeds, which can mean more frequent loss over a lifetime.
7. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are among the tallest dog breeds in the world, gentle and impressive.
Purchase price: Relatively rare, usually from specialised breeders.
Why maintenance is so expensive:
Massive food requirements.
Giant-breed health issues (heart, joints, bloat risk).
Short lifespan, with potential for high vet bills in later years.
Budget note: Expect “giant breed” prices on everything – from crates and beds to medication doses.
8. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds are elegant sighthounds with long, flowing coats that require serious maintenance.
Purchase price: Show-line puppies can be very expensive.
Ongoing costs:
Professional grooming, bathing and brushing are often essential.
High-quality food and regular exercise to maintain condition.
Time cost: Maintaining the coat at home requires many hours if you don’t use a groomer.
9. Saluki
Salukis are graceful, lightly built sighthounds, considered one of the oldest dog breeds.
Why they’re expensive: Relatively rare, often from enthusiast breeders who keep litter numbers small.
Cost factors:
Need secure, fenced areas for running.
Often fed high-quality diets to maintain lean muscle.
Good to know: Minimal grooming compared to other long-haired breeds, but training and safe exercise spaces are key.
10. Pharaoh Hound
Pharaoh Hounds are elegant, short-coated sighthounds known for their “smiling” expression and glowing ears in the sun.
Purchase price: Uncommon and often imported, which increases cost.
Maintenance:
Less grooming cost, but still need good food and veterinary care.
May require specialist breeders and breed-knowledgeable vets.
Budget tip: Travel or import fees can significantly increase the initial cost if local breeders are limited.
11. Portuguese Water Dog
Known as an active, intelligent working dog, the Portuguese Water Dog became widely known after living in the White House with the Obama family.
Purchase price: High demand since gaining public attention.
Ongoing costs:
Low-shedding coat requires regular grooming and clipping.
High energy levels demand quality food and plenty of exercise.
Best for: Active families prepared for both mental and physical stimulation – and grooming bills.
12. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavaliers are small, affectionate companion dogs with big, soulful eyes – but they are notorious for health issues.
Purchase price: Popular with families and city owners, often with waiting lists for good lines.
Health and cost factors:
Heart disease (mitral valve disease) is common.
Possible neurological and eye conditions.
Long-term medication and specialist checks can add up.
Budget note: Even if the initial price seems reasonable, insurance and vet bills over time can be high.
13. Pomeranian
Tiny, fluffy and full of attitude, Pomeranians are fashionable toy dogs.
Purchase price: Very small “teddy bear” type Poms can be especially expensive.
Ongoing costs:
Professional grooming for full fluffy coats.
Dental care, as small breeds are prone to dental disease.
Hidden costs: Designer carriers, clothes and accessories are tempting for such a photogenic breed.
14. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are powerful, loyal dogs that require responsible handling and good training.
Purchase price: Well-bred working or show lines can be costly.
Maintenance:
Large body size = substantial food and medication costs.
Insurance can be more expensive due to breed stereotypes and size.
Training classes and possibly one-to-one sessions are highly recommended.
Budget advice: Don’t cut corners on training and socialisation – investing early can prevent costly behaviour issues later.
15. Great Dane
Great Danes are gentle, friendly giants – sometimes called “world’s biggest lapdogs”.
Purchase price: Not always the highest of all breeds, but still significant from responsible breeders.
Why overall costs are huge:
Enormous food intake.
Giant-breed health conditions and relatively short lifespans.
Everything from beds to vehicles needs to accommodate their size.
Reality check: Great Danes are wonderful companions, but they are not “budget” dogs in any way.
Why Are Some Dog Breeds So Expensive?
A dog’s total cost is influenced by:
Rarity and demand: Fewer breeders + high interest = higher prices.
Health testing and responsible breeding: Ethical breeders invest heavily in testing, quality food and proper care.
Size and lifespan:
Giant breeds eat more and often have more health risks.
Shorter lifespans can mean concentrated medical costs in later years.
Coat type: Long or low-shedding coats usually mean more grooming and higher ongoing costs.
Budgeting Tips Before You Choose an Expensive Breed
Before you commit to any of these dogs, ask yourself:
Can I comfortably afford:
High-quality food every month?
Grooming every 4–8 weeks (if needed)?
Insurance or a dedicated emergency fund?
Am I ready to pay for:
Unexpected surgeries or specialist visits?
Training and behaviour support?
If my financial situation changes, how will I still provide for this dog?
It’s far better to choose a slightly less expensive breed and give them excellent care than to stretch beyond your budget and struggle with basic needs later.
Adoption: A More Affordable Way to Love These Breeds
Many of the breeds on this list – especially French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Cavaliers, Rottweilers and mixed giant breeds – also appear in shelters and breed rescues in the US and UK.
Adoption fees are usually much lower than breeder prices.
Spay/neuter and initial vet work are often included.
You can sometimes adopt adults or seniors, which reduce some early-life costs.
However, ongoing costs (food, insurance, vet bills) are still linked to the breed, so always factor that into your decision, even if the adoption fee is low.
Final Thoughts: Trend vs Responsibility
Expensive dog breeds can be beautiful, impressive and very rewarding companions – but their price tags don’t stop when you leave the breeder or shelter. Real “luxury” for any dog is not a designer look; it’s:
Consistent, high-quality care
Time, training and mental stimulation
Regular vet visits and prompt medical treatment
Whether you choose a rare, pricey breed or a humble mixed-breed rescue, the most important investment is not money – it’s your commitment for the dog’s entire life. Plan your budget honestly, and you’ll be able to enjoy your best friend without constant financial stress.
