MyMost Expensive Dog and Cat Breeds to Own
The most expensive dog breeds to own in the US cost about $250 to $500 per month in 2026, and the most expensive cat breeds cost about $150 to $300 per month. A French Bulldog, an English Bulldog, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and a Great Dane are among the most expensive dogs, and a Persian, a Maine Coon, and a Sphynx are among the most expensive cats. The lifetime cost for the most expensive breeds is about $35,000 to $80,000 for a dog and $25,000 to $45,000 for a cat. Food, vet care, and insurance all cost more for these breeds, and the purchase price is high too, often $2,000 to $5,000 for a puppy.
Large dogs cost more than small dogs, because they eat more, need more medicine, and pay more for boarding and insurance. Breeds with known health problems cost more than healthy breeds, because they need more vet visits, more medicine, and more surgery. Long haired and curly coated breeds cost more than short haired breeds, because they need more grooming. Those three rules explain the whole ranking. A large, unhealthy, long haired dog is the most expensive pet to own. See our cheapest breeds guide for the other end of the ranking, and our French Bulldog cost guide for the most expensive small breed.
Every price here is a range checked in Nov 2026. Published sources disagree because the price depends on size, age, and location. Use the ranges to plan, then get local quotes for food, vet care, and insurance where you live.
Most expensive dog breeds to own, monthly cost
| Breed | Per month in the US | Lifetime cost | Why it is expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Bulldog | $300 to $500 | $40,000 to $80,000 | Breathing, skin, joint problems |
| French Bulldog | $180 to $320 | $25,000 to $45,000 | Breathing, skin, spine problems |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $250 to $400 | $30,000 to $50,000 | Large, cancer risk, short life |
| Great Dane | $250 to $400 | $30,000 to $50,000 | Very large, eats a lot, bloat risk |
| Chow Chow | $200 to $350 | $25,000 to $45,000 | Joint, eye, skin problems, grooming |
| Standard Poodle | $220 to $370 | $25,000 to $40,000 | Grooming, joint problems |
| Typical range, most expensive dogs | $250 to $500 | $35,000 to $80,000 | Size, health, grooming |
English Bulldogs are the most expensive dog to own in most rankings, because they have breathing, skin, joint, and eye problems, and they often need surgery. A single breathing surgery costs $2,000 to $5,000, and a single joint surgery costs $3,000 to $7,000. French Bulldogs are the most expensive small dog, at $180 to $320 a month, for the same breathing and skin reasons. Bernese Mountain Dogs and Great Danes are expensive because they are very large, they eat $80 to $150 of food a month, and they have a high cancer risk and a short life of 7 to 10 years.
Most expensive cat breeds to own, monthly cost
| Breed | Per month in the US | Lifetime cost | Why it is expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persian | $120 to $210 | $20,000 to $35,000 | Grooming, breathing, kidney problems |
| Maine Coon | $110 to $190 | $16,000 to $32,000 | Large, food, heart problems |
| Sphynx | $120 to $200 | $20,000 to $35,000 | Skin care, food, heart problems |
| Bengal | $110 to $200 | $18,000 to $32,000 | Food, activity, heart problems |
| Typical range, most expensive cats | $150 to $300 | $25,000 to $45,000 | Health, grooming, food |
Persian cats are the most expensive cat to own in many rankings, because they need daily grooming, they have breathing problems from a flat face, and they have kidney problems. A professional groom for a Persian costs $50 to $100 per session. Maine Coon cats are expensive because they are large, they eat more, and they have heart problems. Sphynx cats are expensive because they have no fur, they need weekly baths and skin care, and they eat more to stay warm. See our Persian cost guide and Maine Coon cost guide for the full breakdown.
Why these breeds cost so much
Health is the biggest reason. English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs have flat faces, which cause breathing problems, and many need surgery at $2,000 to $5,000. Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high cancer rate, and cancer treatment costs $3,000 to $20,000. Great Danes have a high bloat risk, and bloat surgery costs $2,500 to $7,000. Persian cats have kidney disease, and kidney care costs $1,000 to $3,000 a year. Insurance for these breeds costs more too. An English Bulldog costs about $70 to $120 a month to insure, a French Bulldog costs $55 to $95 a month, and a Persian cat costs $25 to $50 a month. See our pet insurance cost guide for prices by breed and age.
Size is the second biggest reason. A Great Dane eats about $80 to $150 of food a month, and a Bernese Mountain Dog eats about $70 to $120 a month. A large dog needs more medicine, a larger dose of flea treatment, and a larger crate, bed, and carrier. Boarding a large dog costs $50 to $75 per night, while boarding a small dog costs $30 to $50 per night. Grooming is the third reason. A Standard Poodle needs grooming every 4 to 6 weeks at $80 to $140 per session, and the yearly grooming cost can reach $720 to $2,160. A Persian cat needs daily grooming at home and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
Can you afford an expensive breed
Ask three questions before you commit. Can you afford $250 to $500 a month for 10 to 12 years, plus the puppy price of $2,000 to $5,000. Can you afford one emergency bill of $5,000, or will you buy insurance and keep an emergency fund. Do you have the time for daily grooming, training, and vet visits that these breeds need. If the answer to any of those is no, choose a cheaper breed. A Beagle costs $100 to $180 a month, and a domestic shorthair cat costs $50 to $100 a month, and both make wonderful pets. See our cheapest breeds guide for the full ranking, and our hidden costs guide for the costs that first time owners miss.
Most expensive breeds in the UK
In the UK in 2026, the most expensive dogs cost about £220 to £450 a month, and the most expensive cats cost about £130 to £270 a month. An English Bulldog costs about £280 to £450 a month in the UK. A French Bulldog costs about £160 to £300 a month. A Great Dane costs about £220 to £380 a month. A Persian cat costs about £100 to £190 a month, and a Maine Coon costs about £90 to £170 a month. London and the south east are the most expensive regions. Insurance for an English Bulldog in the UK costs about £60 to £110 a month. See our UK dog cost guide and UK cat cost guide for the full UK breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive dog breed to own?
An English Bulldog, at about $300 to $500 a month in the US in 2026, with a lifetime cost of $40,000 to $80,000. Breathing, skin, joint, and eye problems drive the cost.
What is the most expensive cat breed to own?
A Persian, at about $120 to $210 a month in the US in 2026, with a lifetime cost of $20,000 to $35,000. Daily grooming, breathing problems, and kidney disease drive the cost.
Why are French Bulldogs so expensive to own?
Because they have breathing, skin, spine, and eye problems. Insurance costs $55 to $95 a month, and breathing surgery costs $2,000 to $5,000.
Do large dogs always cost more than small dogs?
Usually, yes, because they eat more, need more medicine, and pay more for boarding and insurance. But a small unhealthy breed, such as a French Bulldog, can cost more per month than a large healthy breed, such as a Labrador.
Should I avoid an expensive breed?
Not always, but go in with your eyes open. If you can afford $250 to $500 a month for 10 to 12 years, plus insurance and an emergency fund, and you have time for daily care, an expensive breed can be a wonderful pet. If not, choose a cheaper breed.
Related guides and calculators
Sources and how we priced this
Prices in this guide are ranges, not single facts, because published sources disagree. We used the American Pet Products Association 2025 and 2026 industry figures, Rover 2026 cost of dog ownership reports, the PDSA PAW Report and PDSA cost guides for the UK, the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Research Council feeding guidance, and published insurer and vet price lists in the US and the UK. All prices were checked in Nov 2026 and are shown in US dollars unless a UK section says pounds. Where a source gave one number, we widened it into a range to reflect size, breed and location.