The ultra-affluent love their dogs just as much as they love driving fancy cars, spending lots of money on lavish dinners and living in the manors that they call "humble homes."
So it makes perfect sense that they'd overspend on a pet. Right?
This begs to ask the question: What is the most expensive dog in the world, and how much does Fido cost?
The answer: it's a Red Tibetan Mastiff, which was recorded as being sold for a whopping $1.5 million; pocket change for the rich, but a cozy retirement for the other 99% of society.
The Red Tibetan Mastiff is native to the Himalaya region, where its large size has helped it protect flocks, towns and people, including royalty, for over 5,000 years. They were once upon a time used as dogs of war, and in some areas were later worshiped. An intelligent breed, they are the genetic ancestors to the Saint Bernard, Great Dane and Newfoundland dog.
The sale of the century we're talking about, the most expensive dog in the world, is recorded as being that of an 11-month-old Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash. He was recently purchased by a wealthy businessman in China for $1.5 million.
Considered the top dog of his breed (don't pardon the puns), the breeder estimated that the owner could recoup his investment by studding the dog out for as much as $100,000.
But for the new owner of the dog, he's got no intentions of breeding him or studding him out. Nope. He's just a new million-dollar-plus pet. Luckily for the dog, he will live in the lap of luxury; even if he can't ever hope to sit on a person's lap.
When fully grown, a Tibetan Mastiff can weigh as much as 286 pounds. They require a spacious yard and plenty of exercise. One can only imagine how much this costs in food per week (I have a 160-pound female English Mastiff who eats me out of house and home).
Looks like Clifford The Big Red Dog has a new playmate.