The 8 Most Expensive Cat Breeds and 8 Most Expensive Dog Breeds

If you were to assume crossbreeding a wild cat with a domestic one would produce something quite special, you’d be right. And in this case, special also means expensive.

According to All About Cats, the two costliest cat breeds in America both have wild blood. Topping the list is the Savannah cat, a cross between a domestic cat and a serval: a large-eared, long-legged creature with cheetah-like spots, native to Africa. A Savannah’s price tag could run anywhere from $1500 to a staggering $50,000. In second place is the Bengal cat, whose origins date back to 1965, when a female Asian leopard cat and a male domestic cat—both owned by a woman named Jean Mill—mated. Mill continued to breed those hybrids, and Bengals have gained popularity ever since. Today, you can take one home for somewhere between $1000 and $25,000.

Compared to those estimates, the most expensive dog breeds seem pretty cheap. The Neapolitan Mastiff, known for its loose skin and ancient origins, averages about $3500—tying it for first place with the pointy-eared, pint-sized Norwich Terrier. French bulldogs, which nabbed second place on the American Kennel Club’s latest list of most popular dog breeds, came in third place here. The average price of a French bulldog is about $2800, just a few hundred dollars more than its English counterpart.

If you’re looking to get a pet because you love animals and/or could use some companionship, there are plenty of dogs and cats currently housed in shelters that would love for you to take them home—and they come with benefits that go beyond simply saving you a bunch of money. Even if you’ve had your heart set on owning a certain breed for years, it’s best to look into adoption first: Many purebred pets need homes, too. The AKC Rescue Network is a great resource for adopting rescue dogs, and Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue can match you with the perfect feline pal. There are also many breed-specific rescues throughout the country.

Or you could just head out to your local shelter and meet the animals in need of forever homes—you might find yourself bonding with an unexpected buddy.

Read on to see the full list of costliest cat and dog breeds, and learn more about pet trends here.

Most Expensive Cat Breeds

1. Savannah // $1500-$50,000
2. Bengal // $1000-$25,000
3. Persian // $500-$5500
4. Peterbald // $1200-$5000
5. Russian Blue // $400-$3000
5. Sphynx // $200-$3000
5. Scottish Fold // $200-$3000
6. British Shorthair // $500-$1500

Most Expensive Dog Breeds

1. Neapolitan Mastiff // $3500
1. Norwich Terrier // $3500
2. Norfolk Terrier // $3250
3. French Bulldog // $2800
3. German Pinscher // $2800
4. Xoloitzcuintli // $2750
5. English Bulldog // $2500
5. English Toy Spaniel // $2500