According to recent stats, there are an estimated 79.7 million households in the US with a pet. About 54.4 million of those homes has at least one dog.
With so much demand for man’s best friend, it’s only logical to think that the cost of these breeds would naturally rise. But it’s not just the price of a dog that’s rising — it’s the cost of caring for the pet. Long-term costs need to be considered. A recent study conducted by GoBankingRates found just which dog breed is the most expensive to own.
Expensive Dog Breed #5: Golden Retriever
A purebred Golden Retriever costs around $1,500.
While the breed has an average life expectancy of 10 to 13 years, unfortunately they’re predisposed to a number of serious health conditions, causing medical costs to reach sometimes as much as $20K.
And expect to spend around $56 every time you take this dog to the groomer and the amount of food the golden retriever usually eats.
Expensive Dog Breed #4: Irish Wolfhound
With an average price tag of $1,900, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the most expensive dog breeds.
This family-friendly dog tends to have a short life span — usually six to eight years on average — with grooming costs around $65 and potential medical expenses around $7,700.
Expensive Dog Breed #3: Portuguese Water Dog
With the typical purchase price of $2,500, the Portuguese Water Dog often needs constant grooming and upkeep.
Expensive Dog Breed #2: Black Russian Terrier
According to the research, “this large breed has an average life span of 10 to 11 years, and professional grooming costs average $105. Also, plan to pay approximately $6,000 for potential health care costs to manage common orthopedic and eye problems. ”
The average price tag of the Black Russian Terrier is $2,000.
Expensive Dog Breed #1: Tibetan Mastiff
Why is the Tibetan Mastiff the most expensive dog breed to own? It could possibly be do to their shear size or their appeal to children, but at $3,000, at least they are eligible for tax breaks.