These Are The Most Expensive Dog And Cat Breeds To Adopt. Only Animal Lovers Will Spend This Much
Our furry friends can bring us lots of love and happiness but is that type of affection worth $20,000? That's the cost for at least one pet you can own today if money is no object and your love of a cat or dog knows no bounds. These are the world's most expensive cat and dog breeds.
We have staggered our findings with the "cheapest" of expensive cats and dogs listed first. While you may find some of these pets at lower prices, we've chosen prices offered for the highest of each breeds pedigree.
British Shorthair: $800 to $1000
The British Shorthair is an affectionate and adaptable cat that is generally considered very sociable. This particular breed tends to get along with other pets and is almost guaranteed to give you lots of love.
Originated from the Roman Empires domestic house cats, breeders have spent decades making sure this particular $1,000 breed is fairly resilient to health issues. As an added bonus, just look at how adorably chubby the British Shorthair is, in general.
Czechoslovakian Vlcak: $1,400
The Vlcak, commonly referred to as the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is the result of mating Carpathian wolves with German Shepherds. As the name suggests, these are not easy dogs to get your hands on and a trip to the Czech Republic could be necessary.
This breed at a high pedigree can usually be brought home for around $1,400. They are an active and social breed said to have a fun-loving personality. As an added bonus, they rarely bark.
American Wirehair: $1,200
Unlike many breeds on our list which were carefully cultivated by breeds over years, decades, and even centuries, the American Wirehair owes its breed to a random mutation that was first reported on a farm in New York around 1966.
This $1,200 breed is resilient to diseases and is considered generally playful and affectionate. They have even been referred to as little jokester because of their playful attitude. They are also a very smart breed that will try to solve puzzles you prepare for them.
Saluki: $2,500
The Saluki, also known as the Royal Dog of Egypt has been around since the age of the Pharaohs. The Saluki was often used by traders on the Silk Route in China.
These $2,500 dogs are known for being tall and slip while weighing in at around 60 pounds. If you spend the money on this breed you should also be prepared to spend a good amount of your time keeping them active since the breed requires daily exercise.
American Curl: $1,200
The American Curl is another cat breed right in the $1,200 range when a top pedigree is chosen. This playful and affectionate cat is defined by a silk flat-lying coat and a rectangular body with curling ears.
Fun fact, the cat's trademark curly ears were the result of a random mutation. If an American Curl is in your future just beware, they require a lot of grooming to stay healthy and happy. Commitment is what you'll get from this breed and they expect the same in return.
Akita: $4,500
The Akita is a favorite of many classic Hollywood movies. This breed originates from Japan and features two variations, Japanese and American. A top pedigree from this breed can easily fetch $4,500.
You can recognize the Akita thanks to its signature heavy dog, big head, and thick double coat. The design of this dog is perfect for colder climates where they really thrive. Fun fact, they insist on cleaning themselves after meals, much like a cat.
Russian Blue: $3,000
With striking green eyes and silvery-blue coat this cat breed is one of the easiest to recognize. The Russian Blue is considered a very smart cat and an excellent house pet that loves to socialize with its owners. This breed can be shy around strangers.
With a high-pedigree price tag of around $3,000 for a kitten, it's not a cheap breed to own. On another positive note, it's also not a high-maintenance breed. Fun fact, they are sometimes referred to as the "the Archangel cat" because their origin dates back to Archangel in Russia.
Peruvian Inca Orchid: $3,000
This breed is almost completely hairless except for a few stray hairs on its head and feet. The breed's skin color is usually grey although you may find variations in both chocolate brown and copper.
The Peruvian Inca Orchid also comes in a variety of sizes that range from about nine pounds to 55 pounds. Not only will you pay $3,000 for this breed you'll also spend a good amount of time protecting it from sunburn and clogged pores.
Scottish Fold: $3,000
The Scottish Fold has a very specific lineage that traces back to the Tayside region of Scotland in 1961. This cat's flexible ears that fold down and forward are one of its most revealing traits.
The Scottish Fold generally looks sad-looking which doesn't match its generally happy and energetic attitude. Just beware, this $3,000 breed, even in a high pedigree, can be hampered by degenerative joint tissues.
Lowchen: $3,500
The Lowchen is an incredibly rare dog with only a few hundred puppies per year sold through kennel clubs located around the world. That rarity helps explain this breeds $3,500 price. In a few cases rare pedigrees of this breed have fetched up to $12,000.
This breed grew in popularity thanks to German and French Royals taking a liking to the breed. The Lowchen is generally considered friendly and playful with lots of love to give to their human owners. This breed is also known to love children which makes them an excellent family dog in most cases.
Sphynx: $3,000
The Sphynx, thanks to its hairless appearance caused by a genetic mutation, is perhaps one of the most recognizable cats in the world. This $3,000 cat traces its lineage back to a domestic cat who gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Ontario, Canada way back in 1966.
If you want a solid investment on your $3,000 pet this is an excellent choice in cat breed. The Sphynx is considered a strong cat with no serious genetic or health issues. Despite the appearance of the breed they are generally playful and love to interact with their humans.
Rottweiler: $6,000
The Rottweiler is a popular breed that can often be found for prices lower than we've listed, however, a full top-tier pedigree can easily fetch upwards of $6,000.
This breed at the top of its game is considered an intelligent dog that can reach up to 130 pounds. As a dog originally bred to protect and herd stocks, it is still a fearless protector for its owners. When trained from an early age they are loving animals despite what their reputation often portrays.
Peterbald: $3,000
The Peterbald is a Russian breed with a velvety coat and a muscular build. Some cats in this breed even have a bristly beard. The breed is relatively new, dating back to 1988. Just like the Sphynx, the Peterbald has a dominant gene which leaves it hairless.
This $3,000 breed has sensitive skin which requires a soft touch, making it a pet best suited for a house without children. The breed is also prone to sunburn which means it needs to remain mostly an indoor cat.
Pharaoh Hound: $6,500
The Pharaoh Hound, despite it's name, is the national dog of Malta and not Egypt. As pictured, this breed is athletic, it also features a high degree of intelligence. Perhaps the most endearing part of this $6,500 breed is that its nose blushes when it's happy or excited.
The breed can reach up to two feet in length and its known for being independent and stubborn, making it tough to train. We like to think of it as the cat of dogs.
Maine Coon: $3500
This New England native is an expert at hunting mice while living in colder weather. It's also a cat which is known to grow to upwards of 20 pounds! They might appear like any other cute and cuddly kitten at first but within three to five years they reach their full size.
The $3,500 price tag on the Maine Coon might seem steep but we've seen lesser pedigrees sell for around $1,000 which means you could get one at a steal.
Samoyed: $4,000 to $14,000
The Samoyedic tribe in Siberia trained this dog to herd reindeers and pull sleds. It has often been compared to Siberian Huskies and just like those dogs the breed is great in extreme cold. While they can grow to 66 pounds, this big dog is generally loving and friendly.
You'll notice that we placed a large range of $4,000 to $14,000 on this breed. The highest of pedigrees have fetched some mind-boggling prices. Fun fact, this breeds shredded hair is known to be used humanely in knitted scarves and gloves.
Persian: $3,500
Dating back to nineteenth-century Persia (Iran), this breed is most recognizable thanks to its long hair. It is a gentle breed with a friendly personality. It is also said to adapt well to active and noisy households, making it an excellent pet for a family with children.
You can easily pay $3,500 for a high pedigree, a small price to pay for this adorable cat with its trademark mushy face and fluffy hair. Plus, it loves to cuddly and we can't argue with that trait, even at the high price.
Bengal: $5,000
Bengal cats look like they could be feral but in reality they have been domesticated since the 1970s. The breed is the result of an Asian leopard cat mating with domestic shorthairs. We love this active and friendly cat but we don't love the $5,000 price tag a decent pedigree can fetch. We chose the average price for this breed because prices can swing wildly. Because it's rare we've seen Bengal's fetch up to $25,000!
For $5,000 you can also expect a lot of troublemaking from this breed, they are known for jumping up to turn off light switches and they have no problem diving into an aquarium to chase after fish. With feral origins this breed is bigger than most cat breeds. On a positive note, it's both kid and dog friend.
Tibetan Mastiff: $7,000
The Tibetan Mastiff is a fluffy dog with originals in China and Nepal. This beast of a dog can grow to 160 pounds. Fun fact, it was trained to protect homes and flocks from leopards and wolves. This upbringing explains the dog's protective nature. i
Tibetan Mastiff is strong-willed which means it can be hard to train. The price of this dog also varies based on its rarity. A red-colored Tibetan Mastiff sold in 2013 for $1.9 million but generally they push $10,000 with an average high pedigree price of around $7,000.
Savannah: $20,000
The Savannah is a hybrid of the wild African serval cat and a domestic Persian cat. This breed first appeared in 1986 and is credited to Bengal breeder Judee Frank. This extremely loyal cat is the most expensive of all cat breeds on our list, reaching prices in excess of $20,000. They are great with other pets and strangers if trained at an early age. However, they will often growl and hiss at people and pets they don't know. They are also super agile and will jump on top of your fridge and into open cabinets. F1-rated Savannah's which are around 50% serval can fetch $50,000. The average cat, however, will cost you around $20,000.
Afghan Hound: $7000
The Afghan Hound as its name suggests comes from the mountains of Afghanistan. They often score well in competitions and are considered among the most beautiful dogs in the world.
It's easy to spot this $7,000 breed thanks to long flowing coats and curly tails. That hair also means you need to brush them daily or their hair will become tangled and matted. It's a beautiful dog and if you're lucky you can sometimes purchase one for around $3,000, although its popularity and rarity usually fetches a higher sum.
Azawakh: $9,500
The Azawakh is a rare African breed and one of the few breeds from the continent that is available for purchase in the US and Canada. African nomad tribes trained this breed for hunting and guarding. Fun fact, the Azawakh is faster than a greyhound with speeds reaching upwards of 40mph.
The dog's speed meant it was trained to hunt hares and gazelles and therefore it has been known to chase off other large animals. It's a tall animal that needs a lot of exercise, and in return it will shower you with love. A high pedigree can cost $9,500 although you can sometimes find this breed for around $3,000.
Dogo Argentino: $8,000
The muscular stature of Dogo Argentinos was developed to allow this breed to hunt wild hogs in South America and Asia. The dog breed has been around since 1928 and its ancestor is the now extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog and the Great Dane.
This $8,000 breed was banned in the UK, Colorado, and New York City because of its muscular build. Along with paying $8,000 you can expect plenty of medical bills to deal with hip dysplasia and deafness. Daily exercise is known to help lessen this breeds health issues.
Canadian Eskimo Dog: $8,750
The Canadian Eskimo dog is considered one of the rarest breeds in the world. The breed is near extinction as fewer than 300 remained in existence as of 2018. It's a sad state for this beautiful animal which was first broth to North America from Siberian more than 1,000 years ago.
The breed, with an average cost of $8,750 is not cheap and honestly, they should be cared for by conservationists. Plus, they are prone to a ton of medical issues that will drastically increase the cost of ownership. They are also incredibly territorial and not great for families, especially those with children.
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