The Most Expensive Dog Breed In The World

There's nothing like putting a price on something priceless like pet ownership. Humans are the kings of commoditization, however, so if it can be qualified and quantified, we'll slap a price tag on it and start hawking sales like viscous loogies. It should come as no surprise then, that we price dogs according to their breed, and that one typically fetches more money than any other. That dog breed is the Samoyed, which is ranked by Outside as the most expensive dog breed.

These snow-white beauties cost anywhere from $4,000 to $11,000 for a purebred specimen. According to the American Kennel Club, these cumulus clouds of white fur are renowned for both form and function, with their beautiful white coats allowing for hard work in the cold of Siberia, where they were initially bred. That work can include "agility, herding, weight pulling, sledding, pack hiking, and conformation shows," according to Outside. Samoyeds boast a stout frame well-suited for all of the above, with females weighing up to 50 pounds, and males reaching upwards of 60. Their brains are no slouch either, and their intelligence lends itself to a personality type that is simultaneously smart, social, and mischievous. Other qualities described on the AKC website include "gentle, adaptable, eager, friendly," and "conservative but never shy." They're also good with children and other dogs. In fact, just about every element of this dog is a positive. To quote AKC: "Even their most delightful feature, a perpetual smile, has a practical function: The mouth's upturned corners keep Sammies from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on the face." Just make sure that if you spring for a Samoyed, you don't leave it chained up in the yard, where it will become a "miserable and destructive creature."

While Samoyeds are awesome dogs and rightfully command the highest average price for a purebred, the Washington Post reports that a Tibetan Mastiff sold for nearly $2 million at Chinese pet fair, likely making it the most expensive dog of all time. But at the end of the day, you can't put a price on love, so remember that no matter where your canine came from, it is precious and deserving of your love!