Tibetan Mastiff, 'Big Splash,' Becomes World's Most Expensive Dog

Well, this brings puppy love to a whole new level. An 11-month-old red Tibetan mastiff has become the world's most expensive dog after being purchased in China for 10 million yuan (just over $1.5 million).

Although the specifics of the sale are confidential, the seller divulged that a multi-millionaire coal baron from northern China purchased the Tibetan mastiff, affectionately called "Big Splash," or "Hong Dong" in Chinese.

"When I started in this business, ten years ago, I never thought we would see such a price," Mr. Lu of the Tibetan Mastiff Garden in Laoshan, told The Telegraph.

Tibetan mastiffs are an ancient breed long revered as adept guard dogs. This particular Tibetan mastiff puppy is considered "a perfect specimen," and Lu estimates that the buyer could recoup his investment in the dog in just a few years by hiring it out to other breeders for as much as 100,000 yuan each.

While Tibetan mastiffs have long been a cultural staple revered in Asia, they have increasingly taken on a more heightened role as a status symbol representing affluence in China.

With so many dogs around the world lacking homes and being euthanized in shelters as a result, is it acceptable to place such a high price on a single dog? Or should certain breeds be preserved and considered more valuable than others? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below.

And remember, if you have a welcoming home to offer to a new canine friend, you don't need to shell out $1.5 million, but could find a dog just as lovable and in need of a family for far less at PetFinder.com.

CLICK HERE for some adorable pics of Tibetan mastiffs.

Comments

[Kodi Baack]

01:50 PM on 04/23/2011

Wait till he throws up on the owner's $1.̲6 million rug!

[Richcrafter]

08:50 AM on 04/18/2011

Old news

[Kelly Cloud]

09:16 AM on 03/30/2011

Well isn't he a big pretty!!

[Steamboater]

01:38 AM on 03/30/2011

Mastiffs are huge. Considering the size of the breed, that buyer couldn't get a discount? Cost a bundle just to feed it.

[Steamboater]

01:21 AM on 03/30/2011

Price aside, that dog is a beauty. I just wouldn't be want to be around it when it sheds.Beautiful coloring and although a guard dog, looks like a real cuddler.

[jojobinx]

12:10 PM on 03/29/2011

My dog Joey was rescued from an extremely abusive man. It took me 5 years of working with him to help him get over his fear's which were many. He had never been indoors and was deathly afraid of carpet and was afraid of his food bowl so for a year I had to spoon feed him. The love he shows me
You could not put a price tag on. Shelter dogs just want to love you for saving them.

[Steamboater]

01:24 AM on 03/30/2011

Same with the lab I had. He was abused and very nervous when I adopted him but after 3 months you couldn't get him away from you and he turned into a great lap dog. Give them affection and love and that's all they really want. Not much to ask for at all and it's so easy to do.

[liberallibrarian]

01:14 PM on 03/24/2011

Anybody have weight/measurements on the dog in that picture? He looks like a crossbreed of Newfoundland and Brown Bear.

[tribilin219]

10:02 AM on 03/21/2011

Boy can't wait to order 2 or 3 of them,

[ducatigp]

09:37 PM on 03/20/2011

something is wrong 1.5 for a dog. Whats that tell you about the rich!!!

[stape45]

11:27 PM on 03/20/2011

Has to be a major tax write-off.

[fourtruth]

04:10 PM on 03/20/2011

Sad that dog breeding is an industry that in the USA contributes greatly to the 4 to 5 million euthanized every year. But I think in China they just eat them.

[Blarg]

02:39 PM on 03/19/2011

He looks like an orangutan. They should name him Dr. Zaeus.

[Seafarer61]

03:41 AM on 03/19/2011

I'd rather have the Tsunami dog.

[hugatree]

08:09 PM on 03/18/2011

This breed was almost extinct and has been brought back from the brink by dedicated breeders. As with all things economic, scarcity and demand dictate price. Not a backyard dog or a couch potato pet.

[stape45]

11:31 PM on 03/20/2011

Scarcity, demand and greed dictate today's prices.

[Conk]

11:47 AM on 03/18/2011

Wonder how he'll cook it?

[stape45]

11:29 PM on 03/20/2011

With great relishl!

[Alienhairdo]

11:14 AM on 03/18/2011

Keep the dog. Kill the master. Anyone who's greed for status and vanity so far exceeds their humanity and should be terminated with extreme prejudice.