15. Tibetan Mastiff

The title of the Most Expensive Breed in the World goes, inarguably, to the Tibetan Mastiff.

Also known as the Guardian Dog of Tibet, the Tibetan Mastiff has a somewhat cloudy past. The American Tibetan Mastiff Association says this breed may have existed as early as 1100 B.C. in China because of written records that refer to “large dogs” and due to the large canine skulls that have been excavated in the region. Tibetan Mastiffs may have traveled with Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan in Europe.

Regardless of their history, however, this large breed dog has reached famous popularity. Crowned the most expensive dog in the world, it was a Tibetan Mastiff that was sold in March of 2014 for a whopping $1.9 million. According to Huff Post, the sale took place in China at a luxury pet fair and involved a one-year-old golden Mastiff. The dog weighed nearly 200 lbs, and was purchased by a property developer.

This breed has become the poster child for the insanely rich and wealthy, with other Mastiffs selling in China for similar amounts of money. It’s the dog’s great size and resemblance to a lion that make it so sought after.

For those of a more normal financial situation, owning a Tibetan Mastiff is a big responsibility. This breed is intelligent and often aloof. It was originally bred with guarding and herding in mind which makes it a good, but often noisy, guard dog. Because they grow so large, Mastiffs need a lot of room to run and play.

The Tibetan Mastiff breed also sheds significantly during certain times of the year. However, to their credit, this breed’s coat has a tendency to shed both dirt and odor, unlike other dogs of great size. It’s not a smelly dog by any means, and though it’s actually more of a mountain-type dog than it is an actual Mastiff, it’s moniker remains – mistakenly bestowed upon it by early Western visitors to Tibet.

Tibetan Mastiffs are bred in such a way that, like the Pharaoh Hound, they have a natural resilience to genetic diseases. They have been known to suffer from thyroid problems, skin allergies and dental issues, including malocclusions.

Just like with any other breed, you must have a vet on hand to handle these issues as they arise.
These dogs can be stubborn and strong-willed, but they’re also good with children and make great family members. If you think a Tibetan Mastiff looms in your near future, start saving now. A well-bred puppy will cost you around $10,000.