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It is estimated that Americans will spend more than $52 billion on their pets in 2012. If that figure isn't staggering enough, imagine thousands and sometimes millions of dollars going to just one adorable animal. That's a lot of kibble. Hold onto your wallets and count down the top 10 most expensive pets with us.
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10. PRINCELY PUP
The Pet: Prince the Chinese Crested
The Price: $400/month
The Purpose: Prince's owner, Emma Butarrazzi, makes sure her pooch gets treated like royalty. The dog goes through a bubble bath, conditioning treatment and moisturizing ritual every morning. Prince also has a palatial wardrobe, collecting more than 200 pricey outfits. His closet is only getting more crowded, because Butarrazzi loves scouring sites for new clothes and spending money on her pup. This dedication has earned Prince the title "Most Pampered Pooch in Britain". (Daily Mail)
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9. SEEING DOUBLE
The Pet: Double Trouble the Lhasa Apso
The Price: $50,000
The Purpose: Danielle Tarantola was so enraptured with her dog Trouble that when he passed away at 18, she decided she couldn't go on without him. To fill the doggie-shaped hole in her life, Tarantola shelled out major bucks to have a clone of Trouble made in South Korea. The genetic replica pup was born without incident. Tarantola is pleased with her pet payment, because she says she can barely tell her new pup, Double Trouble, from his predecessor. (TODAY)
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8. TWO CATS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
The Pet: Maine Coon Little Nicky
The Price: $65,000
The Purpose: Similar to Tarantola, animal-lover Julie was seriously missing her deceased pet cat, Nicky, and decided to look into cloning. Julie went to San-Francisco-based Genetic Savings and Clone to create another Nicky. The owner had to surrender a severe amount of cash to get the copy cat, especially since he was the first commercial pet clone. Regardless of what her bank account now reads, Julie believes Little Nicky was worth every dollar. (ABC News (Australia))
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7. SORT OF CELEB PET
The Pet: Cousin to Blake Lively's Malitpoo Penny
The Price: $65,000
The Purpose: Doesn't it seem like celebs always snag the cutest pets? Well, Annelise Peterson certainly thought so. She paid $65,000 to get an adorable Maltipoo pup from the same bloodline as Blake Lively's dog Penny. Paws crossed that this pooch becomes a big star, so he can help pay back some of his price tag. (PawNation)
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6. LIVE IN STYLE
The Pets: Bull Terriers Juice, Minter, and Callum
The Price: $82,000 each
The Purpose: While much is still left unanswered about Alexander McQueen's life, the deceased designer was always clear about his love for animals. To ensure his pups' safety and happiness, he left each terrier a good sum to help them get through the rest of their dog years. McQueen also generously donated to several animal charities in his will. (BBC News)
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5. DANE DUO'S SWEET DIGS
The Pet: Two lucky Great Danes
The Price: $417,000
The Purpose: One English dog owner decided to be a true gent and build his two Great Danes the ultimate abode. This nearly $500,000 house comes complete with temperature-controlled beds, a sound system, flat-screen TVs, spa bath and private playground. We wonder if we can get invited to a house party. There certainly is no other way to get in; this pad also is complete with retinal scanners that only allow the two Danes entry. (This Old House)
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4. MILLION DOLLAR MUTT
The Pet: Tibetan Mastiff Big Splash
The Price: $1.5 million
The Purpose: One Chinese business tycoon must be really big on dogs, big dogs especially. The professional paid $1.5 million for a Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash. The doggie is already 180 pounds and is said to only get larger over time. His breeders assure that the money was well worth it, since Mr. Splash is a "perfect specimen". He'd better be! (CBS News)
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3. CHA-CHING CHIHUAHUA
The Pet: Conchita the Chihuahua
The Price: $3 million and a mansion
The Purpose: Infamous Miami hieress Gail Posner wanted her dog to continue living the lap of luxury even after her lap was gone. To assure her pup Conchita stayed pampered, Posner left her mansion and $3 million to the doggie. Though after living with a full-time staff for years, this millionaire lifestyle in nothing new for Conchita. (Time)
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2. NO TROUBLE FOR THIS PUP
The Pet: Maltese pup Trouble
The Price: $12 million
The Purpose: New York hotelier Leona Helmsley was not liked by all, but she was adored by her dog, Trouble. The feeling must have been mutual, because Helmsley left the Maltese $12 million in her will. The owner instructed that the hefty sum should be used for Trouble's various costs, including $100,000 for security and $8,000 for grooming. Sadly, Trouble died in 2010. His leftover inheritance was passed on to Helmsley's trust for charitable causes. (New York Times)
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Next: Best Breeds at the 2013 Westminster Dog Show
1. BOSS BLACK CAT
The Pet: Tommaso the cat
The Price: $13 million
The Purpose: Cats have their rag-to-riches stories too. 4-year-old Tomasso used to be living on the streets of Rome before property tycoon Maria Assunta took him in. Tomasso must be quite the charmer becasue his 94-tear-old owner left him $13 million fortune. The black cat now has oodles of cash and properties across Italy. (ABC News)
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35 Comments
The slides are misleading. These are not the "priciest pets." They are pets with a lot of money spent on them or left for their support.
February 22 2013 at 5:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYeah, all you breeders and breeder-lovers keep your heads in the sand, Breeders are over-populating and that's why there are puppy mills. Figure it out.
April 20 2012 at 8:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDon't be an idiot. You are illogical and irrational. You're equating responsible hobby breeders with puppy mills? You think one causes the other? And you think the hobby breeders who breed maybe one or two litters a year are overpopulating anything? Are you insane?
February 23 2013 at 11:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI am a true dog lover- I currently have 2 pure breed blue-tic beagles, which we bought from a reputable breeder, and 2 rescue dogs- one a jack russell Terrier and the other a basset hound/black lab cross. They are loved equally and loved very much. All 4 deserve to live great lives, and we spend what we can afford on improving their lives. Not shre why that is anyone's business, nor why what other people spend on their animals is my business! The Mastiff from China is an amazing animal with an astonishing history. If he was not alive, but an ancient Chinese piece of art, people wouldn't question his value as art- which is a rather odd Truth! And the rich folk that want to leave money to their critters have every right to do that. I would urge them to also support other animal care agencies so that lives could be saved, and pups rescued, but ultimatly, it's their choice. Fixing the economy is not going to happen off the backs of our beloved animal companions!
April 18 2012 at 3:30 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyWhat is NOT mentioned in this story is that this particular Mastiff's lines can be traced back over 1000 years to the royal Mastiff line. This is NOT just some ol' average pup. Royal Tibetan Mastiffs MUST stay within the borders of China and can NEVER leave the country. This is to protect the royal lines. And to those all hyped up on those of us who pay for a dog, in addition to the ONE puppy I bought from a breeders, I have 7 rescue Great Danes who are ALL MINE. Now do you want to share in my dog food bill??????
April 17 2012 at 11:30 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyNo, I don't want to share your dog food bill but you have my thanks for being a dog rescuer. I have 1 rescued dog and 2 rescued cats left. I did rescue as well. I just laid to rest a 17yr. old Aussie/Lab mix that I rescued when he was just a pup. I still have a 16yr. old Toy Rat Terrier that was rescued at 6 months old. One of my rescued cats, both of which I got as kittens are 9yrs. old and one of them has just been diagnosed with Renal failure. Vet says he's in no pain, is on a high protein diet and does everything else just fine so far. I won't let him suffer. Again, thank you for your rescues.
April 20 2012 at 5:56 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI've worked for rescues and seen all the horrible things that animals are subjected to but I find it unbelievable the audacity of some people. Who are YOU to tell anyone one what type of pet they can have or how much they spend on it?!?! I'm all for helping animals and spaying and neutering and ending puppy mills but where do you get off telling people they can't selectively breed or maintain purebred dogs??? At one time I had a $1000 Boston Terrier from a breeder and I also had a raggedy old Boston that was a puppy mill producer and had been a rescue,,,, Which dog is better? IT IS EVERY INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PET POPULATION! WHAT , NEXT IT'LL BE THERE ARE TO MANY UNWANTED AND ABUSED CHILDREN IN THE WORLD SO NO MORE HAVING YOUR OWN! YOU MUST ADOPT ONLY! GET REAL!! Worry about yourself and stay in your own lane.. this world would be alot better off!!
April 17 2012 at 2:06 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyThis makes me sick. Spend some money helping implement spay and neuter programs in communities that can't afford it! End the killing of a shelter dog every 8 seconds. The way these people are spending money on one pet sickens me. There are so many others that need that funding. Just ridiculous. PUKE!
April 17 2012 at 1:50 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyWhen it's your money, you can do whatever you want with it. When it's not, mind your own business.
February 23 2013 at 11:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDo you think the money these people spend on their pets just goes in the fire or something? Have you never considered that people get a paycheck because of it? And they use that pay to support their families and PETS?
That chinese dog had better roar and sic at my command.
April 17 2012 at 1:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat chinese dog had better roar and sic whom ever.
April 17 2012 at 1:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMost of these animals didn't even cost that much to buy though, their 'price tag' is simply what their owners spend on them. And most of it seems to be inheritances or such heartache they need to relive their pets... so before you assume they don't love them, I think you should reread the context. :/
April 17 2012 at 12:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNone of these dogs were of very good quality.
April 17 2012 at 12:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply