Discover the Top 16 Most Expensive Large Dog Breeds

If you’re a fan of large dog breeds, you might be wondering which ones could make for a viable and affordable pet. These big pups are known to create some havoc when poorly trained. They’re also known for eating folks out of house and home. But if you love them, well, you’ll live with the issues! But which ones make the most sense for your house? Let’s check out the most expensive large dog breeds around the world and see what lines up for you.

Why Are Some Breeds So Expensive?

A lot of pooches go for a reasonable price, but some fetch a whole lot more than others. Why is that? The main reason some cost a lot more is the purity of their bloodlines. A highly reputable breeder will produce much more costly pooches than the average shelter rescue dog. This is because the breeder invests a lot of money into the breeding, birthing, and rearing of pups to get them ready for new homes. They also have to follow strict breeding regulations for the given breeds they work with, including selecting proper parents for the bloodlines.

Rarity of the breed is another major factor in the costs. Some pups are super popular and so tend to be easier to come by. Others, however, can be far more difficult to locate and may need to be shipped or picked up from a great distance away.

Most Expensive Large Dog Breeds

These are some of the most expensive large dog breeds in the world. Rankings fall from least expensive to most expensive in the list, but prices do vary from breeder to breeder. These are the basics most folks will find.

German Shepherd — $800 to $2,000

While not as expensive as say an Irish wolfhound, the German shepherd is still a pricey pooch, especially if you’re seeking a purebred. The average dog runs between $800 and $1,000, but purebreds will cost a lot more, like $2,000. The German shepherd’s level of training will also raise its cost quite a bit, in some cases.

The traditional herding dogs have become popular for their gentle, good-tempered nature, easy training, and good looks. But they’re also going to cost about $75 to groom each visit and they have potentially astronomical medical bills sometimes reaching as much as $20,500 for treatment of common to rare conditions like hip dysplasia, perianal fistulas, and others.

Great Dane — $1,000 to $2,000

The famous Marmaduke dog, or Great Dane, comes at a pretty hefty price, as well. These gentle giants typically cost folks between $1,000 and $2,000 as pups. They have huge appetites, though, so feeding them their entire lives (about 7 to 10 years) winds up costing what feels like a small fortune. Grooming bills (about $65 a pop) and medical bills are the other major expenses to keeping these massive pooches around.

Dogo Argentino — $1,200 to $8,000

On the low end, Dogo Argentino dogs run at “just” $1,200. On the other end, for purebreds from hard-to-find bloodlines can cost as much as $8,000. The large dogs were first bred in Argentina, as the name implies, intended for hunting big game, and specifically wild hogs. They frequently are employed as both companions and protectors by folks all over the world, though. The affectionate, muscular dogs can be pretty intimidating, so it’s no surprise. Beware, though: it’s illegal to own these pooches in Colorado, New York City, and the United Kingdom.

Newfoundland — $1,500 to $2,500

Next up, we have the Newfoundland, a large dog known for its gentle ways. The friendly giants typically run between $1,500 and $2,500 each, but they’re the perfect breed for keeping around children, scaring off intruders (who don’t know better!), and keep you active. They require a good bit of exercise, so be prepared to get a lot of walking in. They don’t drool a lot like some other big breeds and they don’t shed much.

St. Bernard — $1,500 to $3,500

The St. Bernard dog might be most famous for a barrel of brandy around its neck or as a giant composer-named menace. But these beautiful dogs may not live up to legend of the brandy (monks deny they carried the liquor!) but they do live up to the hype. These beautiful, gentle giants love their people tremendously and make for amazing pets. That is, if you’re up for pooches carrying 120 to 200 pounds on their frames and a bit of excessive drool along the way. These incredible dogs generally cost between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on the purity of the breeding and the location you find them in.

Akita — $1,500 to $6,500

One of the most expensive large dog breeds of the world comes from Japan. The Akita, a beautiful dog, is known for its beauty, loyalty, and intelligence. The average price for these dogs starts at about $1,500 but could climb up to $6,500, depending on its ancestry. The Japanese Akita is typically costs significantly more than the American Akita, as well.

Rottweiler — $1,500 to $9,000

Some folks might find it surprising, but rottweilers are among some of the most expensive dog breeds in the world. That is, if they’re purebred. These dogs, as the name implies, come from Germany originally, but being widely popular the world over, you can find a good Rottie almost anywhere. They make excellent guard dogs, police dogs, therapy dogs, and other workers. They typically ring in at $1,5000 to $3,000, but high end breeders may charge as much as $9,000.

Old English Sheepdog — $1,800 to $3,000

An excellent watchdog, companion, and work animal, the Old English Sheepdog makes for an amazing pet. These beauties became famous back in the day of the original “The Shaggy Dog” films starring Tommy Kirk. The gorgeous, shaggy dogs run between $1,800 and $3,000 on average, and have some hefty healthcare price tags. Often, folks wind up spending around $8,000 caring for their shaggy dogs by the end of their 10 to 12 years.

Golden Retriever — $2,000 to $,3000

On average, a beautiful golden retriever will cost you between $2,000 add $3,000. Not the most expensive dog overall, but certainly up there, especially considering the popularity of the breed as a family pet. The breed is one of the most popular in all of America, serving as therapy dogs, shepherds, service dogs, and many other roles. The good-natures, easy-going dogs, loyal to a pain, offer some of the most wonderful companions around, no matter your age. Primarily, it’s the purebreds that will cost you multiple thousands, while crossbreeds will be more likely to be affordable for most folks.

Irish Wolfhound — $2,500 to $3,000

Typically running between $2,500 and $3,000 each, the tall, wire-haired dogs don’t necessarily look cute and cuddly, but they are wonderful dogs. The looks of their coats can be misleading, as well, because they’re actually quite soft. The large dogs are gentle and happen to be one of the tallest, heaviest sighthound breeds. That means these pooches rely more on their sense of sight than of smelling. They’re often used for hunting, though, and tend to be extremely loyal, strong, and intelligent. They’re great with kids and families of all ages and function well as guard dogs.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog — $2,500 to $3,000

Another of the most expensive large dog breeds is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. These large, sturdy dogs have dense coats in black and white with red markings. The intelligent, highly loyal dogs have long functioned as working dogs but today have become popular family dogs. You’ll likely pay between $2,500 and $3,000 for one of these beauties.

Bernese Mountain Dog — $2,500 to $3,500

Another stunning, most expensive large dog breeds choice is the Burnese Mountain Dog. These working dogs originated in the Swiss Alps. With beauty, intelligence, and intense loyalty, they make for amazing companions and pets. They also thrive in cold weather, so if you’re in freezing regions, they’re a great choice. These dogs will typically cost you between $2,500 and $3,500.

Alaskan Malamute — $2,500 to $4,000

Often confused with huskies by folks less knowledgeable, the Alaskan Malamute has longed served in a similar role, These are the largest and oldest breed of sled dogs and one of the most expensive large dog breeds in the world. The strength and loyalty, coupled with their double-layered coat, help to make them perfect for service in the frigid Artic. You’ll find these beautiful dogs run between $2,500 and $4,000.

Afghan Hound — $2,500 to $7,000

A stunning, intriguing dog, the Afghan Hound comes in beautiful, silky, flowing coats. Known for beauty and grace rather than aggression, these large dogs look more emotionally intimidating than physically scary. Originating in the mountains of Afghanistan, the beautiful dogs typically run between $2,500 and $7,000 each.

Black Russian Terrier — $3,000 to $5,000

Originating in Russia, as their name implies, the Black Russian Terrier is known as a working dog with great intelligence, strength, and loyalty. The dogs serve as guard dogs and pets. They aren’t like other terriers, in fact being one of the most expensive large dog breeds around. They can weigh as much as 140 pounds and stand at 30 inches at the shoulder. They’ll run you between $3,000 and $5,000.

Tibetan Mastiff — $3,000 to $1.5 million

The number one, most expensive large dog breed — or any breed, actually — is the Tibetan Mastiff. These giants from the Himalayan country is both majestic and noble, as well as easy-going and affectionate. They look a bit terrifying but the dogs love their humans and their animals faithfully. They were bred for protecting sheep from predators like wolves and leopards. So, if you need a protection dog, you’re in luck! If you need one affordably, though, you may need to look elsewhere. On the low range, these pups go for about $3,000. On the high end, you could find one of the winners worth more than a million dollars. Yes, you read that right. A red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash actually sold for $1.5 million dollars.