The Most Expensive Dog Breeds To Own Which Pups Are The Priciest?

BY | August 05 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
A Rottweiler

Dogs make wonderful companions and family members, and like any family member, thereโ€™s a cost associated with their care. Before buying or adopting a dog, you should be prepared for the financial commitment, and the breed you end up with can have an impact on how much youโ€™ll be spending. Find out which dog breeds are the most expensive.

A dog is a big commitment, and one of the most important factors to consider when buying or adopting a furry friend is the cost. There is not only the upfront cost of buying or adopting the dog, there are also lifelong expenses, including food, veterinary care, medicine, and other supplies. According the ASPCA, you can expect to spend $1,580 in the first year alone for a medium-sized dog (not including the cost of buying the dog), and about $695 every year that follows.
 
These numbers can vary, of course, and one factor that can impact the lifetime cost of a dog is their breed. Some breeds are just more prone to health problems, which can translate into high healthcare costs. Trupanion released a list of the most expensive breeds based on insurance claims submitted to their company. So what are the most expensive dog breeds to own?
 

Bernese Mountain DogBernese Mountain Dog

These large, handsome dogs are extremely loyal and make wonderful family pets. But they can also be expensive to care for, as they are prone to cataracts, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and mast cell tumors. The average claim according to Trupanion is $412.85, and the total amount spent on the breed between 2000 and 2010 was $553,660.57, with 76% of that amount associated with illnesses
 


BullldogEnglish Bulldog

English Bulldogs are famous for their adorable wrinkles and loving demeanors. They are also playful, friendly to strangers, good with children, and if introduced early, can get along well with other pets. However, these dogs are also prone to a number of health issues, including brachycephalic syndrome, cherry eye, elongated soft palate, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and stenotic nares. Trupanion puts the average claim amount at $370.57, and the total amount spent on the breed from 2000 to 2010 at $1,152,947.32, with 84% related to illnesses.
 

French BulldogFrench Bulldog

French Bulldogs are small, boxy dogs with darling snub noses and large bat-like ears. They are natural clowns and very curious, and they love to play and cuddle up to their owners. If the French Bulldog sounds like the ideal dog, consider the cost: according to Trupanion, the average claim is $355.63, and the total amount spent on French Bulldogs between 2000 and 2012 was $384,325.78, with 87% associated with illnesses. French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, and like their English cousins, brachycephalic syndrome, hip dysplasia, and stenotic nares.

Great Dane

The โ€œGentle Giantโ€ gets its nickname from its incredible size (males can weigh up to 200 pounds) and its friendly, laid-back demeanor. These dogs can also be gigantically pricey. Trupanion puts the average claim at $385.49, and the total amount spent on the breed at $462,204.97, with 77% associated with illnesses. Common health issues that plague the Great Dane include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, and gastric torsion.
 


RottweilerRottweiler

Rottweilers donโ€™t have the best reputation, but in reality these dogs are loyal, gentle, and even act like goofballs around the people they know best. They are also natural guard dogs, and with the right training can be taught to protect your family but not be aggressive at the wrong times. The costs of owning a Rottweiler can be high, however. They regularly suffer from allergies, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and gastric torsion. The average claim amount? $567.53. And Trupanion policyholders spent $532,261.93 on this breed between 2000 and 2012 -- 63% for illnesses.
 
The dog breeds listed here can all make wonderful pets, but be prepared to budget for potential medical issues. You may also want to consider pet insurance or a membership plan, which can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.

The Most Expensive Cat Breeds

The price of a cat, or any pet for that matter, does not just include the initial cost of purchasing or adopting the animal. Thereโ€™s the lifetime costs of feeding, providing a home for, and caring for the little guy. Thinking of the cost of pet ownership in these terms, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals tabulates the initial year of cat ownership to cost, on average, $1,035 (price of the cat not included) and every year after that to cost about $670.

What about the cats themselves? According to the Humane Society of the United States, up to 25 percent of animals in shelters are purebreds and these pets are usually less expensive than those purchased (or even those that are gifted) because the cost of vaccinationsspaying or neuteringmicrochipping, and deworming are often included in adoption fees. On the low end of the spectrum, Kiplinger lists the average lifetime cost of a cat around $7,760 and on the high end, for more expensive cat breeds, around $15,260โ€”not including unforeseen healthcare costs for either number. So what are the most expensive cats out there?

So How Do Lifetime Expenses of Cat Ownership Vary by Breed?

Trupanion, the pet health insurance company, has released a list of the most expensive breeds, based on pet insurance claims submitted by their owners.

Siamese

Over the course of this catโ€™s life insurance claims total, on average, $74,638. According to Trupanian statistics, more than three-fourths of the costs are associated with illness, and less than a quarter are tied to accidents. Known health issues for Siamese include respiratory problemscardiomyopathy, and anesthesia sensitivity.




Bengal

With a history of health concerns like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, health insurance claims for this breed can total to $73,408 over a catโ€™s life, with nearly all claims being related to medical issues and less than five percent related to accidents.




Himalayan

For this breed, eighty-nine percent of healthcare related costs, amounting to $69,449 over a lifetime, are tied to disease. Illnesses common to Himalayans include joint problems, polycystic kidney disease, idiopathic facial dermatitis, and more.




Maine Coon

This third-most popular breed in 2012 is also the fourth most expensive breed in terms of lifetime healthcare costs, coming in at around $63,683. Ninety percent of those insurance claim expenses are tied to illnessโ€”of which this pet is known to inherit gum, heart, and liver disease, along with hip dysplasia.




Ragdoll

Due to health related costs, these cats generally set owners back $40,442 over their lives. Cardiomyopathy is the primary disease associated with this breed.







The Most Expensive โ€œDesignerโ€ Cat

The cost of purchasing โ€œthe worldโ€™s most expensive cat,โ€ as dubbed by Metro, the Ashera, starts at $27,950,  but some have reported the cost to be as high as $125,000. This large, leopard type cat is a new breed and is not yet recognized by The International Cat Association or by The Cat Fanciersโ€™ Association.

More on Dog Breeds

Popular Designer Dog Breed Facts
Choosing The Right Dog For My Family
Rare Dogs You'll Love

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