Tibetan Mastiff: Man's Most Expensive Best Friend

The Tibetan Mastiff , an ancient breed of domestic breed originated, must be the world's most expensive dog. From the word itself, Tibetan Mastiff, this breed is widely known as a ferocious dog. This breed is known in many Asian countries and is given different names: Do-khyi, Zang’Ao in Mandarin Chinese, “bankhar” in Mongolia which means “guard dog”. However, it is the molosser type with which the modern Tibetan Mastiff breed is purportedly linked was recognized all throughout the ancient world by various names.


Historically, the first known record of a Tibetan mastiff was when a Chinese emperor was gifted with a dog trained for hunting. Marco Polo came across the large Tibetan dogs in his travels and compared them as “tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion.” Tibetan Mastiff were used as guard dogs outside the sacred city of Lhasa. It was only in 2008 that this breed had its first dog competition in the Westminster Club Dog Show.

At present, more wealthy Chinese buy Tibetan Mastiff to designate their status. For instance, in Sep 2009, a number of rich Chinese women were reported to spend more than USD 600,000 or 4 million yuan for an 18 month old purebred female Tibetan Mastiff that has not been spayed, No wonder, this is to this date the most expensive domestic dog.