Strong-willed, massive, independent, and intelligent, Tibetan Mastiffs are loyal and enchanting dog companions. With their lion-like manes, heavy coats, majestic presence, and bushy tails that coil to the back, these canines have attracted the attention of dog lovers.
Originating from China and Tibet, these mastiffs are built for the harsh and cold winter. Their massive bodies have a lot of furs that protect the dog from the cold. Just the sight of this breed will make people want to hug them. Add that to their lion-like appearance; everyone knew that Tibetan mastiffs were a sight to behold.
If people a pet lover know a thing or two about this breed, they will confirm that it is considered one of the most expensive breeds in the world today. Getting one will cost buyers a leg and an arm. One puppy from a well-known breeder will set buyers back at least one hundred dollars. Over the last couple of decades, people have read reports of this breed selling for at least a million dollars. The big question is, why is it very expensive?
Click this site for more details about the most expensive canine breeds in the world.
How costly are these dogs?
The most expensive mastiff was sold for a staggering $1.9 million. Others have been sold at $1.5 million. True, these are considered extreme. These dogs are thought to be one of the most costly types of canines in the world today. One pup can be worth $1,500 to $5,000 – depending on the breeder, pedigree, age, availability of medical records, immunization, care accorded, and training.
Why the price?
They are a prestige symbol for wealthy individuals
Maybe the main reason why these dogs are pretty high-priced is that they are a symbol of wealth in Mainland China. People that keep an eye on trending news may recall a story where a Chinese man went all out to display his wealth through his dog. The story caught the attention of dog lovers around the world.
The Chinese man from Qingdao sped a staggering 12 million Yuan or $1.9 million on his golden-haired, 200-pound Tibetan mastiff pup. The businessman made the sale at a prestigious dog fair event held in China. It was not the first time a dog from this line was bought for a lot of money.
Three years prior, another rich Chinese businessman parted with his ten million Yuan or $1.5 million for an 11-month old Tibetan mastiff. By that time, it was the highest-selling puppy in the world. Affluent individuals in China are willing to splash a lot of money on their dogs just to show off their wealth.
On the other side of the world, the rich and famous prefer to spend their money on sports cars, jewelry, and designer items. But China would rather spend a lot of money on their dogs. Indeed, this reason alone had made the price of this breed spiked through the roof.
Want to know the genetics of dog breeding? Visit https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetics-of-dog-breeding-434 for more information.
They are pretty rare
While these dogs have been around for many years, they were considered a shadow until 50 years ago. Part of this is because they were closed off from the rest of the world, and Tibet is not an easy place to visit. Even when this type of canine became popular, only a couple of dogs were in existence.
According to experts, only 5,000 Tibetan mastiffs were registered by the AKC or the American Kennel Club. The bad news is only 1,000 to 2,000 of them are alive today. The rarity of this breed, as well as its popularity, make them pretty expensive.
Expensive to breed
The cost of the puppy is determined by things like the kind of food offered, immunizations, the popularity of the dog’s breed, veterinarian visits, among others. Some pups are pretty expensive to reproduce. In the case of the $1.5 million canines, the breeder said that even if the Tibetan Mastiff puppy prices are high, it was worth it. The businessman spent a lot of money raising the pup, and they have employees who need salaries.
To start with, these dogs eat a lot. Even as a pup, they consume tons of food. Reputable sellers put them on quality and nutritious food that does not come cheap. Growing, immunizations, training, flea treatments, and insurance also cost a lot.
A pure bloodline
This canine is believed to be from the general mastiff family of canines. After living in isolation for many years, they did not get to breed with other canines. Sure, breeders these days are too money-driven that they have created mixed canines to earn more, but purebreds are still around.
These dogs are more expensive because they are pedigree animals. Their lineage has not been tinkered with. Purebreds come with a lot of advantages, including predictable health, assurance of good breeding, and stable temperament. On the flip side, these canines come at an expensive price tag.