Purchasing a pedigree pup can be the start of a wonderful life together, but hold on before you go for a gigantic, long-furred, or destructive breed, as you may find them financially draining to care for. Whether it’s costly nutrition, expert grooming, regular veterinary care, or acres of space, here are 18 dog breeds that may require a trust fund to maintain!
Tibetan Mastiff
If you can afford to buy one of these fluffy Asian giants, then make sure you can afford the running costs, too! CNBC reports they’re the most expensive breed in the world, with one Chinese pup selling for $2 million! Males can weigh up to 200 pounds, so expect to pay a lot for food. Also, consider grooming fees for their thick double coats and space requirements.
Samoyed
Spitzpedia warns that it’s not just the initial purchase price that makes the adorable “Smiling Samoyed” so expensive. While soft and beautiful, their thick double coat is pure white, requiring expensive grooming to keep it maintained. They also require extensive exercise and are prone to health conditions like skin allergies and hip dysplasia—costly conditions to treat.
Chow Chow
Another large Asian fluffball, the blue-tongued Chow Chow can be yours for $1,500–$3,000 in the U.S. But that’s just the beginning! Their unique coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming every 4–6 weeks. They can also be stubborn and independent, making costly training and dog handling another potential expense.
Rottweiler
This powerful and intelligent breed can grow up to 130 pounds, which can be expensive when buying pet food. ManyPets adds that everything for bigger dogs costs more, from harnesses, leashes, and crates to surgeries, medications, and even dog beds! They are prone to certain health concerns (e.g., hip dysplasia and bloat), which can be expensive to treat.
Akita
A majestic Japanese giant, Akitas look like Huskies but are larger and were bred for hunting in cooler climates, not pulling sleds. Their thick double coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming every 4–6 weeks, not to mention the extra cleaning your home will need due to all that shedding fur! They can also be expensive to train and feed.
Bullmastiff
Costing up to $4,000 to purchase in the U.S., this large bull breed can be costly to feed, with some males weighing 130 pounds. Pets Radar warns that expensive, sturdy large-dog equipment is required, as well as regular cleaning and attention to deal with their constant drooling habit!
Saint Bernard
These gentle giants, known for their rescue work in the Alps, are one of the heaviest domestic dog breeds and require a large living space and a substantial food budget. Their thick, double coats require a lot of maintenance and shed heavily. Health concerns like hip dysplasia and bloat are also common, potentially requiring costly veterinary care.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Weighing up to 150 pounds, this gentle giant doesn’t live long but is very expensive to care for well. They require mountains of nutritious food and experience skin problems and hygiene concerns due to their wrinkled faces and drooling jowls! Sadly, they often suffer from heart problems, eye infections, and hip dysplasia.
Irish Wolfhound
These scruffy-looking hounds can be expensive to purchase from a breeder and grow to an impressive 3 feet tall! That translates to a huge food budget and associated requirements for strong leashes, crates, and other equipment. Although they don’t demand professional grooming, they do need regular grooming and plenty of exercise.
Great Dane
According to ManyPets, Great Dane puppies can cost as much as $2,000 to buy in the U.S. Similar in height to Wolfhounds, they are sturdier and more powerfully built, so they require even more food but less grooming (thanks to their smooth coats). They have relatively short lives and are prone to bloating, heart problems, and bone cancer.
Dogue de Bordeaux
This French breed is very similar to the Neopolitan Mastiff in size and appearance and has similarly high maintenance costs, including a gigantic food budget and vast space requirements. Their wrinkled faces and constant drooling often cause them to suffer from skin infections and other irritations, resulting in expensive trips to the vet and extra cleaning requirements.
Komondor
This Hungarian herding breed is renowned for its distinctive coat of dreadlocks. They are relatively large (up to 115 pounds) and can cost almost $6,000 to buy from pups. They need professional grooming at least twice a year, and their strong herding instincts require experienced owners who can afford professional training.
Scottish Deerhound
This gentle and dignified breed may look scruffy, but their mass of gray or white fur can become a knotted nightmare if left without professional attention from a groomer. Although not a gigantic breed, they’re still large and incur all the usual expenses associated with size. Their high prey drive also necessitates secure backyards with tall, strong fencing to keep them in.
Pharaoh Hound
Elegant and kingly, the Pharaoh Hound won’t require expensive grooming due to its smooth, sleek coat. However, they are expensive to buy (up to $3,000) and require a lot of time and energy to stay stimulated and content. They also suffer from health issues like allergies and eye problems.
Chinese Crested
This breed is typically hairless, apart from the ears, feet, and tail. Although hairless pups don’t require much grooming for obvious reasons, they are very costly to buy, with puppies costing around $3,000. Their hairlessness necessitates sun cream in summer and a coat in winter, plus they suffer from skin complaints, separation anxiety, and dental problems.
Brussels Griffon
This tiny terrier is known for being mischievous and can cause significant damage to a home through digging, chewing, and other destructive behavior—especially if left unattended for long periods. Their flat, brachycephalic faces can lead to breathing difficulties and overheating, requiring vet visits, while their coat also requires professional grooming.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These gentle, charismatic dogs may be charming to look at, but they can leave a hefty hole in your wallet. After the $2,000 purchase fee, owners must pay for regular grooming to keep their pet’s luxurious, silky coat in prime condition. Problems with inbreeding by unscrupulous breeders have also left the breed with heart problems, brain malformations, and eye problems.
Afghan Hound
Even if you can afford the shockingly high cost of a puppy (up to $7,000 in the U.S.!), you’ll need extra cash to keep this majestic, glossy-coated hound in good health. Their long, silky coats require a lot of attention, such as daily brushing and regular visits to a professional groomer. Their relatively large size also makes food and veterinary bills costly.
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