Costliest & Cheapest Dog Breeds
Dogs are undoubtedly a man’s best friend. Their affection, love & company is second to no other animal & most definitely cannot be measured in terms of price. Regardless of which breed you have; a dog is an infinite bundle of joy that can never get exhausted. Having said that, for some pet parents, owning a dog is a matter of social stature, hence they adopt or purchase a rare or an expensive breed with high grooming requirements. Contrarily, a family with a limited income would either opt for adopting from a shelter or purchase a less expensive breed with minimal grooming requirements.
This blog covers the monetary aspects of various dog breeds; what factors make a particular breed expensive, the 10 Cheapest & 10 Costliest breeds available around you & how do grooming, gender & outside influences affect the cost of a breed.
But what makes a particular dog breed expensive? There are numerous variables that determine the price of a dog / puppy. Let’s take a look: -
- Demand & Supply
The first & foremost factor is “Demand & Supply”. In other words, more common the breed, lesser the price or more options available at a lesser price. Similarly, rarer the breed & the price would be higher. In addition, if the demand of a breed suddenly rises, then its prices would soar.
- Purity / Lineage
The unending debate of pure breed dogs versus mixed breed dogs comes into play here. While some people are “purists” & believe that dogs pure-breed lineage are genetically superior; the other school of thought either believes that mixing breeds strengthens dogs’ genes or is indifferent. Regardless, “pure breed” dogs are more expensive while local crosses are available at cheaper prices.
- Gender
Males from every breed are costlier than females. This is due to myths about female dogs and misconceptions & misinformation about their body, pregnancy, periods etc.
- Registered Animals
These puppies / dogs are certified for their breed & purity which enables sellers to ask for a considerably higher price.
- Local Availability
Specific breeds of dogs aren’t subject to availability in a particular region anymore. Especially, in Metro cities like Delhi & Mumbai you’ll find all kinds of dogs ranging from Mountain Dogs to indies to the rarest breeds. Despite that, if someone wishes to purchase / adopt a particular breed that isn’t available locally, then they may have to shell out a lot more money.
- Celebrity Status
The Pug from Vodafone advertisements & Paris Hilton’s famous Chihuahua got so famous at one point that their demand suddenly soared & their prices skyrocketed & availability dropped in a short span of time. However, these fads didn’t last long & as time progressed, their prices normalised.
- Food + Grooming
This is the logistical aspect of having a dog in the family. Any dog would cost you some kibble. However, bigger dogs usually require higher quantities of food. Grooming is a factor which Pet Parents really should consider before buying a particular breed. It all adds up; Products, Professional Servies, Training, Grooming, Food.
- Training
This is something that a lot of pet parents either take lightly or omit or think that they don’t need a professional trainer. Big and energetic breeds require more control & training, it’s wise to consult a professional trainer early on.
- Health
Your pet’s health is a vital aspect. Dogs are different than humans in a lot of regards. Despite their best efforts, sometimes Pet Parents find themselves in tough situations if their pet falls sick or falls prey to predisposed ailments. There are some health issues which can be categorised as tendencies with breeds. For example, big, heavy dogs develop Joint issues & Arthritis, Great Danes are predisposed to have gastrointestinal problems.
After considering all these factors, let’s take a look at 10 Most & Least expensive dog breeds.
10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds
- Tibetan Mastiff.
Despite their intimidating size they’re actually very affectionate family dog breeds, albeit a bit territorial & standoffish with strangers. They’re one of the biggest breeds with the longest coats. Natives of Tibet, Ladakh & other such high altitude areas, Tibetan Mastiffs are one of the most expensive breeds to groom and even more expensive to buy if you’re going for a “pure bred” Mastiff dog.
Picture Courtesy: Pinterest
A Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash is the most expensive dog ever sold. His new owner shelled out some $1.5 million to take home a then 11-month-old, 180-pound puppy.
2. Black Russian Terrier
We usually think of Terriers as small and cute dogs, but the Black Russian Terrier is a “big” exception. They can weight as much as 140 pounds and stand 30 inches tall. They’re a big and strong breed, well suited for guarding and protecting. Also, they’re super smart and need consistent physical & mental stimulation.
3. Samoyed
Famous for their cheerful & contagious smile, this adorable and fluffy Russian dog breed is one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world. They have really long hair and require a lot of grooming. Samoyeds are gentle, enthusiastic & excellent playmates for kids and adults alike.
4. French Bulldog
An adorable, short-legged breed, the French Bulldog is short haired and doesn’t require too many trips to the groomer. However, they do require more grooming than expected. They’re super playful and aren’t rambunctious barkers; not to forget that they’re famous for their cute snorts & snores.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Large, in charge & doesn’t care if you’re the President of Ireland!
Picture Courtesy: NDTV
Bernese Mountain Dogs, aka Berners, are a big black ball of fur who’re constant attention cravers, great around kids but require regular grooming and care.
6. St. Bernard
Natives of the Swiss Alps, big, rugged breed that loves adventure, St Bernards are a really good breed to have if you live in a cold area. However, given their huge, 150-pound frame, they require a lot of grooming which makes them number 6 on our most expensive list.
7. Golden Retriever
Considered the perfect family dog, especially in India, a purebred Golden Retriever, purchasing cost & constant grooming makes them a fairly expensive breed to raise. Apart from frequent trips to groomers, Goldens are predisposed to quite a number of health conditions, including cancer, causing medical costs to soar.
8. German Shepherd
Traditionally termed as herding dogs, German Shepherds are gentle & good-tempered dogs. They have high grooming costs, added to medical bills, as they are host to common conditions like hip dysplasia and perianal fistulas.
9. Rottweiler
A large breed, Rottweilers are fierce, protective, alert & intelligent. High grooming bills with high healthcare & feeding costs make Rottweilers an expensive and tough to train investment.
10. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are large breeds that are curious & energetic by nature with an average life span of 11-15 years. Due to their heavy coats, they require frequent visits to the groomer.
Now let's take a look at the10 Least Expensive Dogs that are best suited for Indian households and do not require extensive costs.
1. Beagle
First on the list is a friendly & happy dog breed – Beagles. This long-eared breed is one of the most sought-after breeds in India. They have a short coat and adapt well to Indian households with minimal cost.
2. Chihuahua
These tiny dogs became famous after becoming purse-sized companions of rich celebrities. Despite their temporary celebrity status, Chihuahuas require minimal exercise, food & grooming.
3. Dalmatian
These spotted, medium-sized dogs are known for being athletic and got recognition after their appearance in Disney movies. They have a very short coat and easy to train.
4. Border Collie
Smart & active, Border Collies are an adorable breed to have. Just look out for hip and eye health issues, which can progress throughout their 12 to 15-year life expectancy.
5. Dachshund
Dachshunds were initially bred to hunt badgers but in the modern world, they’re characterised by their hotdog shape, short legs & fun spirits. They’re fun to raise and inexpensive to own. Just be careful of potential back problems that this breed faces, in general.
6. Pug
Made famous by the Vodafone advertisement, the Pug quickly gained recognition and became one of the most sought after breeds in the world. Pugs have a super short coat and are super playful and gel well with humans. They’re able to adapt well to Indian climate and require minimal grooming.
7. Doberman
Intelligent & courageous, Dobermans are naturally gifted for protection and extraordinary sixth sense & reflexes. They’re the most sought after breed for military & police services all over the world. They are fearless, sturdy dogs, but they need moderate exercise and daily long walk or running. Although they’re easily available in most major Indian cities, they’re not suited for extreme & fluctuating weather conditions.
8. Labradors
The most famous breed in the world & in India, and rightly so, the Labrador Retriever is easy to train, friendly and intelligent. They’re available in almost all major cities in India, need moderate grooming and are super fun & easy to train,
9. Corgi
Even though Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis may have the best life, but their ancestors were used extensively for herding cattle in Europe. Corgis are affectionate, charming and a calm breed. Just be careful of them packing extra pounds because overweight Corgis develop risks of Arthritis, Kidney Disease, Diabetes etc.
10. Greyhound
Last on our list a breed that is low maintenance and gentle; Greyhounds can be the perfect low cost breed for you. These fast sprinters are remarkably calm and graceful indoors, making them perfect apartment dogs. They’re not frantic barkers and are low maintenance.
This completes our effort in creating an extensive database of various breeds which, on the basis of food, grooming & training requirements, can be categorised into most & least expensive. Hope this blog helped you in making a better & more educated choice in choosing a breed best suited for your lifestyle.
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