Tibetan Mastiff, "Big Splash," sells for $1.5 million, world's most expensive dog

By: Bailey Johnson
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SHIJIAZHUANG, CHINA - FEBRUARY 16:(CHINA OUT) Tibetan mastiffs are seen during the 'China Northern 2011 Tibetan Mastiff Exposition' at Yutong International Sports Centre on February 16, 2011 in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province of China. The Tibetan Mastiff, also known as DoKhyi, is an ancient breed and a type of domestic dog originating with nomadic cultures in Central Asia. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)

Tibetan mastiffs are seen during the "China Northern 2011 Tibetan Mastiff Exposition" at Yutong International Sports Centre on February 16, 2011.

/ Getty

(CBS) - They say you can't buy friendship. But you can buy man's best friend - for a cool $1.5 million.

That's the price a Chinese business tycoon paid for a purebred Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash, now the most expensive dog in the world.

PICTURES: World's Most Outrageously Expensive Dogs

The proud new owner - reportedly a coal baron from northern China - will need plenty of space for his new pet, whose Chinese name is Hong Dong. The 11-month-old is 180-pounds and still growing.

Lu Liang, Big Splash's breeder, called the dog a "perfect specimen" and told the Daily Mail that the seven figure price tag was well worth it.

"We have spent a lot of money raising this dog, and we have the salaries of plenty of staff to pay," he said.

Tibetan Mastiffs have become popular among China's elite in recent years, according to the paper. The newly wealthy are hungry for luxuries, and dogs have supplanted sports cars and jewelry as the newest status symbol.

The title of most expensive dog has been held by Tibetan Mastiffs for years. In 2009, a Chinese woman set the record by spending over $500,000 on a mastiff named Yangzte No. 2. Last year, a mastiff was valued at nearly $1.47 million.

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World's most outrageously expensive dogs

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by themostexpensivedog September 16, 2011 9:15 AM EDT: I would not be surprise if the record price of the most expensive dog in the world would be broken in the near future.; Reply to this comment


by balfour2011 May 18, 2011 5:01 AM EDT: Tibetan Mastiffs are actually counted as world's most expensive dog...they are rarest of the rare..

http://www.bornrich.com/entry/worlds-most-expensive-dog-sells-for-almost-1-million/; Reply to this comment


by meboard March 16, 2011 9:26 PM EDT: For that kind of money, I'll dress up like a dog and he can pet me all he wants...; Reply to this comment


by enlightenu March 16, 2011 5:51 PM EDT: Nice looking dog! But at that price it had better be able to hold a good conversation.; Reply to this comment


by bobkat258 March 16, 2011 4:00 PM EDT: good grief. 1.5? People should be ashamed of themselves.; Reply to this comment


by Henri_Rochard March 16, 2011 11:30 AM EDT: Tibetan Mastiffs are the ancestors of several other dog breeds, including the Great Pyrenees.

Unfortunately, big dogs don't live as long as smaller dogs.; Reply to this comment