Pembroke Welsh Corgi: $1,000

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi hails from Pembrokeshire, Wales, where, according to legend, it served as a steed for fairies (hence the saddle-like pattern on its coat). It is also famous for being the favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who owns several, and has been the preferred pet of British royalty for over seventy years. Its price matches its elite status—corgis can cost up to $1,000!

Saluki: $2,500

Also known as the “Gazelle Hound,” “Arabian Hound,” or “Persian Greyhound,” the Saluki is believed to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated dogs in the world, appearing in Egyptian tombs as well as in the Bible. Its long lineage and graceful appearance has made it popular, but it requires a significant amount of maintenance: it needs room to run and can be picky about its food. Without taking into account the costs of its care, buying a Saluki can put you back $2,500.

Chow Chow: $1,000-$8,500

Like the Saluki, the Chow Chow is an old breed and has appeared on Chinese pottery dating back to 206 BC. Its Chinese name is Songshi Quan, meaning literally, “puffy-lion dog.” A friendly and protective pup, the Chow can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $8,500.

Egyptian Pharaoh Hound: $2,500-$6,500

It is thought that the Pharaoh Hound originated in ancient Egypt, where it served as the loyal companion to the royal pharaohs before being brought to the Mediterranean island of Malta. In 1974, the Pharaoh Hound was declared the national dog of Malta, as it had been exclusively bred there for 2,000 years. Because of its pure breed and relative rarity, an Egyptian Pharaoh Hound is usually priced between $2,500 and $6,500.

Old English Bulldog: $9,000

This roly-poly, wrinkly-faced chap may look tough, but the English Bulldog is known to be very sweet and easy-to-please. Because of its gentle temperament, its popularity as a family pet has grown a great deal in recent years. Believe it or not, a purebred dog from a well-known breeder can cost up to $9,000!

Canadian Eskimo Dog: $7,000

In the 19th century, the Canadian Eskimo dog was in high demand for polar expeditions, but the introduction of snowmobiles led to the breed’s decline. 1986 saw the renewal of the breed with the registration of a few Canadian Eskimo dogs with the Canadian Kennel Club, but despite breeders’ valiant efforts, less than 500 Canadian Eskimo dogs remain in North America. Because there are so few, you’ll have to pay around $7,000 for a puppy.

L?wchen: $5,000-$8,000

It is said that the L?wchen (“l(fā)ittle lion” in German) acted as a companion in Pre-Renaissance Europe; ladies groomed its hair to resemble a lion and warmed their toes on it like a walking footrest! Its popularity continued throughout the 1800s, but the population began declining after the two World Wars. Today it is regarded as very rare and can be priced between $5,000 and $8,000.

Samoyed: $4,000-$11,000

A fashionable pet and show dog, the Samoyed is friendly and energetic. Its love of running and herding harks back to its heritage in Siberia, where it helped to pull sleds and herd reindeer. Depending on which breeder you ask and where you live, the price for a purebred Samoyed can range anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $1,000-$14,000

This is another breed that has resided with royalty. Named for King Charles II, the spaniel was bred specifically to match the dogs depicted in Sir Anthony van Dyck’s portrait of the king. Perhaps because of its noble bearing, spaniels can range from $1,000 to $14,000.

German Shepherd: $230,000

Consistently one of the most popular breeds in the US, the German Shepherd is able to be both family-friendly and fierce. A purebred, registered dog can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $24,000; a trained guard dog, in contrast, is valued at $50,000, as much as a Land Rover! And here’s one to up the ante even further: a recent New York Times article featured Julia, a three year old German Shepherd guard dog who was purchased at the bank-breaking price of $230,000 to serve as a bodyguard for an executive and his family.

Tibetan Mastiff: $1.5 million

The Tibetan Mastiff serves as a status symbol among China’s elite. The cost of a typical one ranges between $2,000 and $7,000, but the most expensive mastiff ever sold was priced at an incredible 10 million Yuan, or $1.5 million. The mastiff, named Hong Dong ("Big Splash"), was raised on a diet of beef, chicken, abalone and sea cucumber; his price tag can be attributed to his superb lineage and breeding prospects. At least the new owner, a wealthy coal baron, will be able to make back some of his money by lending his dog to breeders, who promise to pay as much as $100,000 to have his genes added to their breeding lines.