Like having a child, bringing a dog into your life is a commitment, and, ultimately, an expensive one. The amount of money you spend on your four-legged friend can vary wildly depending on which breed you choose. The following 10 breeds are among the most costly to own.
1. English Bulldog ($3,000)
With their stocky builds and Churchill-like faces, English Bulldog remains to gain popularity with dog owners. In addition to the cost of a bulldog puppy, which can easily reach up to $3,000, owning an English Bulldog require lots of money over its lifespan. As English Bulldog is prone to a multitude of medical problems than a typical breed, more vet bills need to be spent on such potential maladies such as joint problems, heart conditions and more.
2. German Shepherd Dog ($2,500)
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world, and also one of the most expensive to own. In addition to the initial cost, which is about $2,500, a purebred shepherd is pretty rare. German Shepherds are prone to allergies, bloat, cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, and more, which result in far more trips to the vet than other typical breeds.
3. Chow ($1,000)
The Chow breed, also known as the Chow Chow, is excelled at herding, hunting, pulling, and guarding. The upfront price to buy one of these purebred pooches is steep, about $1,000. However, the breed is prone to an array of health issues that might result in hefty vet bills through their lifespan. Meanwhile, the thick coat makes Chow more prone than other dog breeds to flea infestations and require regular grooming.
4. French Bulldog ($1,500 – $8,500)
Just like their English cousins, French Bulldogs are often prone to a multitude of diseases that will require a big vet bill. Besides, these small dogs have a big price tag, ranging from about $1,500 to all the way to $8,500. Despite all of this, the French Bulldog is still popular.
5. Rottweiler ($1,500 to $2,000)
Being popular and highly intelligent, a Rottweiler is nonetheless expensive to purchase, with a well-bred puppy ranging from $1500 to $2000. Since many are bred for their working ability, the cost has gone up substantially. However, it doesn’t mean you will purchase a healthy one, as there are many health conditions that Rottweiler are susceptible to. The most common disease is cancer, which comes with extremely high cost treatment.
6. Basset Hound ($1,200 to $1,500)
Basset Hound is a large breed in a small body bringing with it a multitude of health problems as they become older. They are prone to the same diseases found in larger dogs, as a result they require large meals and more expensive medication. Their large, floppy ears and droopy eyes become easily affected, meaning that they require additional trips to the vet.
7. Bernese Mountain Dog ($900)
Popular as both a family and show dog the Bernese Mountain Dog can cost up to $900. This large breed has a short life span of up to eight years, due to a multitude of health problems, including hip dysplasia and aseptic meningitis, bringing potential health cost care expenses for common issues around $6,500.
8. Irish Wolfhound ($1,900)
This gentle giant is one of the most expensive dog breeds you can buy and own, with an average price tag of around $1,900. The family-friendly dog is prone to getting along with everyone, but has a very short life span of just six to eight years. Measuring one metre in height and up to two metres from nose to tail, these gentle giants can coat their owners big bucks (more food, larger crates, boarding costs, and more.)
9. Great Dane ($600 to $3,000)
While the Irish Wolfhound is known as the world’s tallest dog, the Great Dane is the world’s largest, but the the cost of owning a Great Dane is similar regarding food, crates and boarding costs. Purchasing a Great Dane can cost you anywhere from $600 to $3,000. Prepare for the vet bills. As Great Danes get older, they are more prone to diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, and heart conditions. They don’t live long compared to other breeds, with an average lifespan ranging from seven to eight years. They are also one of the dog breeds most likely to run away.
10. Tibetan Mastiff ($2,000)
In 2014, a purebred Tibetan Mastiff puppy was purchased for a remarkable $1.9 million. Tibetan Mastiff puppies can cost up to $2,000, and purebred ones are exceedingly rare, and can be dubbed the most expensive dog, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Tibetan Mastiffs are large guardians, with thick coat. Health issues don’t pop up often, there are still some few of the major problems such as skin problems, allergies, eye conditions cancer, and epilepsy.