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 3 of 3)

ken Mar 17th 2011 12:39PM

cool dog not worth 1.5

jrdematteo Mar 17th 2011 12:41PM

I know this story is about a dog, but since China has virtually no labor laws and is one of the worst countries pertaining to Human Rights, you can only imagine how poorly paid and mistreated the Coal Miners are who work for this gluttonous "Coal Baron". I like animals but they should never live better than humans (unless you're a sicko or a violent criminal, then you should be treated worse). Ironically, the same "warm and friendly" dog lovers are also the same Environmentalists who would fight against a coal company, which in China can only be expending huge amounts of pollution compared to those in the US that are regulated to death. Heck, even Obama said he would "bankrupt" the coal companies if they didn't comply with his business killing standards set forth by his environmentalist base, but I guess it's alright for a Chinese Coal Baron to destroy the environment and make as much money as possible so he can buy a dog for a $Million. Don't report about that or the underage sex slave industry that is all but accepted in China. Apparently hypocrisy has no boundaries, but then again the dog is really cute so I guess that means it's OK.

bemystic11 Mar 17th 2011 1:34PM

This is not about coal politics. I doubt this coal baron cares about anything but getting rich. It disturbs me that anyone would purchase an animal as a status symbol. This Tibetan Mastiff is a beautiful dog, but you have to wonder how much he will be loved, rather than just being used for breeding. Believe me, the Chinese wouldn't lift a finger to help Tibet, especially a wealthy coal baron. There is no evidence that those in power in China care about people at all except to be exploited. If they don't care about people, why would they care about the environment? Frankly, it disturbs me that someone would pay this much for a pup when there are people in China breaking their backs to subsist and there are probably lots of dogs who are homeless and starving. On a more humorous note, while this dog is fabulous, the food bill alone when he reaches 280 lbs.....omigosh! But wouldn't you want to cuddle with him? He's fur is so luxuriant?

jrdematteo Mar 17th 2011 12:54PM

With no real protection for workers and it's poor standing on Human Rights, you can only imagine how underpaid and mistreated the Coal Miners who work for this gluttonous "Coal Baron" are. No regulations for pollution either, but hey, if he can make the kind of money he does to buy a $Million dog, then maybe we should honor him. I mean after all, he's obviously an upstanding citizen since he's rich, right? Maybe these rich people should spend their money trying to make the lives of people better, not animals. China is notorious for it's underage sex slave industry, how about doing a story on that?!

dange100 Mar 17th 2011 1:13PM

Yes, this is a lot of money for a tibetan mastiff. But I hear they are really delicious!

duckzgoequack Mar 17th 2011 1:32PM

Oh, holy to the freaking goodness sakes!
$1.5...million?
Not $150. Not $1,500. Not $15,000. Or $150,000. But $1,500,000!

Hold on. I need a breather.

kimichelee Mar 17th 2011 1:39PM

Wow... yeah. Just imagine what $1.5 million could do to help homeless animals in shelters. Go figure. This is absurd.

Heather Mar 17th 2011 2:09PM

It’s unfortunate that so many feel a sense of entitlement to fruits of someone else’s labor. None of us know how this gentleman came to be in his position as a coal baron and I can’t understand why people feel like because someone did well, it’s their obligation to single-handedly save the world. It Is EVERYONE'S duty (rich or poor) to contribute something to the world we all share, however, WHY do people think that contribution can only be a monetary one? There are many ways to enrich and improve people's lives that don’t require money. That being said, we all spend money on things we think are important to us and it’s all relative. The $150 someone with limited income blows at Wal-Mart is the same as someone who is extremely wealthy that blows $1.5mil on a dog. A person living a cardboard box in the alley might say, "Did you really have to spend $150 at Wal-Mart? Couldn’t you have given me $20?" And you know what the average person would say to that person? "I worked hard for my money; I should be able to spend it on whatever I want!" So it’s really all about perception and jealousy. Don't spend your time in that man's pockets accusing him of being a horrible person, maybe he HAS given money to less fortunate people, maybe he HAS built a school somewhere, instead worry about what you yourself is contributing to the world and try not to judge so harshly.

tracy Mar 17th 2011 3:14PM

Good points, but I still find the amount of money paid for the dog to be obscene. It isn't because I think he should do something else with it. I just think the asking price is ridiculous.

msmarlow2 Mar 17th 2011 2:25PM

I love him, I love him, I love him!

redroad9 Mar 17th 2011 2:42PM

Looks like a Big Red Chow. I hope the man who bought him will enjoy him. My dogs make my day.

Master Allen Mar 17th 2011 2:45PM

thats freekin crazy and people are starving

tracy Mar 17th 2011 2:58PM

The dog is very cute, but 1.5 million dollars? Beyond comprehension. Rich does not equal intelligent.

Koz Mar 17th 2011 3:16PM

Hope he done get hit by a car or something.

daheavenlyangelu Mar 17th 2011 3:22PM

W0W!!!!!!!!

seqsecltd Mar 17th 2011 3:29PM

I will like to have the breeder address as it will be good in Africa to eliminate poverty as everyone will start breeding the dog for China market

Annie123 Mar 17th 2011 9:35PM

AWWWWWWWWWW he's so cute!!!!! i wanna hug him!!
and what is that around his neck LOL. oh well, it's no matter. still a precious little dumpling :) no pun intended harhar :p