It is an exciting time to bring home a new puppy. A new family member can take over and become a much-loved member of your family. When choosing a breed for your new puppy, you might have found that some options are far more expensive than others and wondering, what are the most expensive dog breeds?
In this article, we discover some of the rare and expensive dog breeds in the US and why specific breeds are more expensive.
Some dogs are considered the most expensive breeds in the US. While you can adopt wonderful puppies from shelters for a much lower price, perhaps less than $200, many people are prepared to pay a significant sum for the puppy of their dreams.
What makes a breed one of the most rare and expensive dog breeds?
Some dogs are just rare, and their inaccessibility can increase the price. Breeds such as Löwchen, Azawakh, or Canadian Eskimo Dogs have limited populations worldwide. There are some breeds for which there are few breeders and small numbers of litters. If there is high demand, breeders can ask for a higher amount.
Often, these rare dogs are pedigree and have a particular genetic lineage. The puppy's parents may have won championship show titles, be working dogs, or have specific skills that they are likely to have passed on to their offspring. A long breeding line of dogs with excellent genetic screening and great long-term health can also have an impact on the most expensive dog breeds.
Some very expensive dog breeds have specific grooming needs and specialist diets. The high cost of caring for these breeds reflects the lifelong expenses required to keep the breed in great condition. They will also have higher costs for the breeder to care for the parents.
Breeders sometimes mention that one of their breeding dogs is of imported stock. Many of the rarest and most expensive dog breeds are bred outside the US, for example, in Europe or Asia. Importing a dog into the country is very expensive due to the documentation, customs, and health checks. The breeder may be getting a dog with excellent lineage and pedigree, but these costs will be passed onto the puppies to help recoup the expense.
Finally, most rare and expensive dog breeds are often bred by responsible and ethical breeders, though not always. You should still make all the necessary checks. But they will invest heavily into maintaining high breed standards of pedigree dog breeds.
There are many breeds considered the most expensive dog breeds. Here are a few of them.
The Tibetan Mastiff is very expensive. It is a large dog breed originally bred to guard livestock and property in the Himalayas. It is considered a luxury dog with very high costs to keep, especially for insurance. They are loyal, protective, and territorial dogs. In the US, puppies can typically cost between $6000 and $10,000. The price increases for a rare red coloration, championship bloodlines and pedigree.
The Chow Chow is recognizable with its fluffy lion-like mane. They can be a challenging breed to own. They tend to be fiercely loyal to owners and may be aloof with others, or they could be independent. They have considerable ongoing costs for their care, particularly in grooming. Pedigree chow chows with healthy genetics and championship winners in their line can all help to make the chow chow one of the most expensive dog breeds fetching up to $10,000 for a puppy.
This beautiful fluffy white coat dog breed is generally friendly and affectionate. It is also one of the most expensive dog breeds in the US. Costing up to $10,000 for a puppy, especially one with great genetics and has been bred by an experienced individual who is in high demand. Their grooming requirements are one of the reasons they are so expensive, but they are also a very striking breed with a great temperament.
This elegant and sleek dog has been bred in West Africa and is one of the most expensive dog breeds. Those looking to bring one into their family will find it comes with a higher price point. You may have to pay up to $9500 for a puppy. This breed was utilized for hunting, and although they can be aloof, they are very loyal to their families. They are very lean and have a very distinctive-looking appearance.
These dogs can cost up to $8500 as they are also a rare breed of dog. There are very few Canadian Eskimo puppies registered annually. They do require the right climate and an active lifestyle to thrive.
The Pharaoh Hound is a striking and rare dog breed. A puppy can set you back up to $7500. It is the national dog of Malta. Bred for hunting, it is very energetic and can adapt well to family life in an active home. They have an amber coat and upright ears with a slender build.
It can be a serious cost commitment to own one of the most expensive dog breeds. They often have very particular needs and requirements, though they likely come with an excellent heritage and pedigree. Ensure that you are purchasing a puppy from a responsible and ethical breeder who has the health and well-being of their puppy at the center of their breeding business. Take a look at the breeder profiles on Puppy Hero!
03 July, 2025