Red Tibetan Mastiff: World's Most Expensive Dog Sells for $1.5 Million

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed)
Mar 16th 2011 at 12:35PM

A coal baron living in northern China just spent $1.5 million to buy what is considered the world's most expensive dog, a red Tibetan Mastiff. It's hard to know precisely where in that sentence you spurt out your mouthful of coffee: that a dog is worth that much or that there is a millionaire willing to buy one in China.

In any case, the 180-pound 11-month-old red Tibetan Mastiff known as Big Splash, or "Hong Dong" in Mandarin, just earned the title of the world's priciest pooch. The breed can grow to be 285 pounds, and according to the breeder, Big Splash is such a perfect specimen that the eyeball-popping price is justified. It is believed the breed descended from wolves 58,000 years ago.

Big Splash is a kind of cute fellow -- big and bulky, although in most photos he looks like he's having a bad hair day. The breed has become a status symbol in China, replacing cars and expensive bling as a way for the uber-rich to show off their new-found wealth. Red is considered a lucky color in Chinese culture and Tibetan Mastiffs are thought to be holy animals, bringing riches and good health to their owners, which helps explain the country's interest in the dog and the run-up in price. But given the size of most Chinese apartments and the size of these dogs, don't expect to see them bought by the masses; Tibetan Mastiffs are truly only for China's rich.

In time, Big Splash might fetch $15,000 a pop to breed with a female. Nothing like earning his keep.

Tags: dogs, mastiff, most expensive dog, pets, tibetan mastiff

Filed under: Pets

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Dee Dee Rhodes Mar 16th 2011 4:34PM

the rich just keep on proving their rich..didnt they just have an earthquake over there...and he want to spend a milly on a dog. WOW...animal lovers!

rstevenrivera Mar 17th 2011 7:22AM

The earthquake was in Japan not China,duh

staf46 Mar 17th 2011 7:26AM

The earthwake was in Japan not China, two different countries.

willemaket Mar 17th 2011 9:23AM

Both of you are half right and half wrong!. The earth quake occured off the coast in the pacific ocean which impacted both japan and china. being the most damage occured to japan due to the epicenter being closer to japan. However major buldings in china were also damaged.

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rls2nh Mar 17th 2011 6:52AM

I'll take 2!

Sharon Mar 17th 2011 7:20AM

First of all I am an extreme dog lover- I have 8 of my own. BUT, to spend THAT much money on a dog ( I don't care how MUCH money and right to spend it any way you want, you have) - how can you justify it in a time when there is so much devastation and poverty going on in the world today. I makes no sense.

Steve Roberts Mar 17th 2011 8:48AM

Think it out Sharon - the money wasn't "burned", it simply traded hands. Now a Tibetan dog breeder has the $1.5 M instead of the coal baron. As you would prefer - it is now the breeders "responsibility" to give the money to the world's poor and needy. Or better yet, the breeder may be using the money to free Tibet.
In which case your humanitarian demands may have already been met.

TIGERZ Mar 17th 2011 10:43AM

You have 8 dogs??????? You're looking at poverty soon!

sevnwolves Mar 17th 2011 11:34AM

I just hope the breeder and the 'coal baron' both end up so hungry someday they will wish they had that dog to eat. Can't figure out how people can look in the mirror when they live so ultra extravagantly. They should be ashamed of themselves.

wab119 Mar 17th 2011 11:54AM

Sharon, I so agree with you. There are so many homeless pets that are in need of love and a good home so even if I had the money I would take as many homeless animals as I could. animals are for love not a status sumbol

CAROL ANN Mar 17th 2011 1:38PM

I stand in agreement with you! The dog looks so adorable but the money could have been used to help those just hoping to get water and food and to find loved ones missing still due to the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the lands....my heart goes out to them and so many more that don't have the blessings many of us have of basic needs and so much more...please continue to pray for others less fortunate and let us extend our love as we are led to do so in whatever way we are able to. Thanks for your comment and may God bless you and your family and all of His children across the nations!

sup mandyro? Mar 17th 2011 7:35AM

Dang, they should have just gone to a shelter and given a needy dog a loving home. But I guess if he breeds the Hong Dong for 15,000 each time he's def getting some of his money back. Cute dog though, so fluffy like a big teddy bear. :)

1 smart cookie Mar 17th 2011 7:56AM

He's a very handsom guy..Too bad the owner had more money than he had sense.

cris Mar 17th 2011 8:26AM

I'll bet you anything Martha Stewart will be getting one..she loves Asian breeds.

tvjlov25 Mar 17th 2011 8:32AM

Good morning good peoples =)

First of all im not going to pay 1.5 million for a damn dog. I don't care how much your a dog lover you are with that kind of money I would by me a house nd nice as car pay my bills and then give some money to the homeless shelter.. The dog is not even cute... I just dont understand this world that we live in and i guess i never will =/

inf4m0usd4nxd Mar 17th 2011 10:38PM

The guy probably has several Mansions, and more Super Exotic Cars than you can imagine... This dog is not for those who NEED to buy a house, or get a new car... People have money, get over your selves.

billfish1956 Mar 17th 2011 8:56AM

the good part......he'll cost just as much to feed as any other dog. roooof!

Sunestate Mar 17th 2011 9:01AM

i think that a cute little doggy and i would pay 200 dollares and not a penny more. If they could make a dog that doesn't poo, shed, pee, bark, or eat then i would pay up to 400. now china should invent such a doggy and i would go to china and buy this kind of doggie. but not this one, he still does poo right?