Dogs are pretty expensive to own when you factor in the costs of food, care, toys, vet bills, dog beds and so on, but if you want a specific breed, you’ll have to pay extra just to acquire the puppy. The highest prices are paid for rare and pure breeds, and when you know what goes into just to ensure that “purity”, you’ll understand why these dogs are that expensive.

Dog breeds can go up and down in price based on their popularity, demand, specialization and specific tasks, such as hunting or police dogs that are really popular for this reason alone. Some breeds are more valuable because there are just a few dogs of that breed left in the world, while other breeds are considered status symbols due to some celebrity who owns them. Judging by all these factors, we’ve made a list with the 10 most expensive dog breeds in the world right now.

10. Saluki

One of the oldest domesticated breeds that are still present today in their purest form, the Saluki is also known as the Royal Dog of Egypt, being around men since the time of the pharaohs. You can find one today for somewhere from $2,000 to $4,000.

They were accompanying ancient hunters in their chase of hares or gazelles and today they still have have that instinct of chasing anything they see moving. They need a lot of exercise every single day.

9. Rottweiler

They were bred at first as pulling dogs, to carry loads of meat for butchers and they were also used for herding and protecting stock. They are very strong and highly intelligent, protecting their owners from any danger, being quite loyal and loving.

They were even used as police dogs, therapy dogs and service dogs but they also gained a reputation of being highly aggressive when they’re defending their territory. You can find a pure Rottweiler for somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000 today.

8. Pharaoh Hound

They have a history which traces them back to 5,000 years ago, but their name is deceptive since Pharaoh Hounds are actually the national dogs of Malta. They were named like this because of their royal look, athletic aspect and high intelligence.

Shaw said that “Man is the only animal that blushes or needs to”, but this breeds proves him wrong since when they are very excited their noses and ears blush as well. You can find one for up to $6,500.

7. Chow Chow

With prices ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, the Chow Chow is known for his lion-like aspect as well as their almost black tongue. They are very loving with those who they see as family, but quite reserved with strangers. The Chow Chow comes from northern China and is one of the few ancient dog breeds that still exist today, apparently evolving from wolves.

Due to their stubbornness they were sometimes described as dogs with cat-like personality. They aren’t too active either so it’s a good choice to have one in an apartment. When a bond is created between them and their family they quickly become overly protective and try to turn other persons away, making them a high-risk dog.

6. Bulldog

One of the most easily recognized breeds, the English Bulldog is a medium sized dog that was even the mascot of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, representing the defiance of Winston Churchill to the Nazi Germany.

Today it is a very popular breed since breeders tried to remove all aggression from them, leaving a friendly and patient dog that’s the perfect family pet, forming strong bonds with children as well as other pets. They sometimes become so attached to a human being that they won’t go out of the yard without a companion and prefer to sleep in your lap instead of anywhere else.

Also, keep in mind that the dog food for bulldogs should have natural ingredients and no cheap fillers as they have sensitive skin and allergic to some ingredients. Their price varies from $3,000 to $9,000.

5. Samoyed

Taking their name from the nomadic Samoyedic tribe of Siberia, these dogs were the reindeer herders of ancient days . They were also pulling sleds which means they were very enduring, strong and quite intelligent.

They are considered to have some of the best herding traits among all breeds and their friendly disposition makes them great as pets, but not the greatest of guard dogs. They are very energetic and their intelligence means that you have to keep them constantly in check. You can buy one for somewhere between $4,000 and $11,000.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are classed as toy dogs and they’re one of the most popular breeds in the U.K., continuing to grow in popularity every year due to their smooth coat and affection. They are very friendly and thus great for children, but they require a lot of human interaction, so you can’t ignore them for long.

They can adapt to most environments with ease, but when compared to other races they tend to live less and are prone to various health issues. Their prices range from $2,000 to $14,000

3. German Shepherd

Although it is quite a new breed, having their origins only in 1899, the German Shepherd is quite popular today all over the globe. Being working dogs developed for sheep herding, this dog breed is highly intelligent, obedient and strong, perfect for training as well.

They are the most used breed in search-and-rescue or assistance operations by the police or military and they’re also used in movies pretty often due to their versatility. They’re also great family companions, but they need a lot of exercise every single day. Their prices reach up to $24,000 if you want a pure blood that is also well trained.

2. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

This race is second on our list due to their rarity, being the national breed of Czechoslovakia since 1982 and thus a relatively new race. This interesting dog breed comes from an experiment done in the country back in 1955 when a working line of German Shepherd Dogs were bred with Carpathian wolves as an attempt to create a breed that would have the pack mentality of wolves and their stamina combined with the trainability of the German Shepherd.

They were created as attack dogs that would be used in military operations such as search and rescue, tracking, herding or hunting. Since they are almost unknown outside of their country you will need to fly there and buy one, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Prices could go way over $50,000 for one.

1. Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff originally comes from Nepal and China and it’s an ancient breed that was used to protect flocks from threatening leopards or wolves. One of the largest dogs in the world, this gorgeous dog can have a height of up to 33 inches, weighting close to 160 pounds. Due to their protective instincts this breed has became a symbol of status in the country of China. Prices for a pure Tibetan Mastiff start from $2,000 and could go up to… millions.

Back in 2014, a high-rolling Chinese businessman shelled out a whopping $1.95 million for a golden-haired Tibetan Mastiff pup, making it the world’s most expensive dog. According to AFP, the man, a successful property developer from China, paid exactly 12 million yuan for the 1-year-old mastiff at a premium pet fair in the country’s eastern province of Zhejiang. The pup had “lion’s blood” according to the dog’s breeder, and he’s a top of the range mastiff stud.