Dog lovers forking out more than cost of a new car to get a handful of trendy dog breeds

DOG lovers are forking out more than the cost of a new car to get their hands on one of a handful of trendy breeds.

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DOG lovers are forking out more than the cost of a new car to get their hands on one of  a handful of trendy or rare breeds.

Among the most sought-after breeds on the must-have list of canine coolness are the British and French bulldogs.

A British bulldog was recently advertised in Brisbane for $25,000. A French bulldog had a price tag of $15,000.

Next on the list of breeds to have dog lovers drooling is the large tibetan mastiff, which can cost a buyer anywhere between $3000 and $7000.

The mastiff has the distinction of being the world’s most expensive dog after a Chinese coal baron paid $1.2 million for an 11-month-old puppy in 2011.

Driving the high prices is the celebrity status. The list of famous French bulldog owners includes singer Lady Gaga, actors Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Jackman and UK soccer star David Beckham.

Australian National Kennel Association president Hugh Gent said the upsurge in popularity of some breeds was a result of celebrities posting pictures of themselves with their dogs on social media, along with the canines starring in movies and advertisements.

“I think desired ownership of a particular breed is mainly based on one of two factors – the social status of owning a rare breed and being seen to own the latest fashionable breed,” Mr Gent said.

Bulldogs have long been associated with Mack trucks and more recently have appeared in Commonwealth Bank ads and in last year’s Tom Cruise film, Edge of Tomorrow.

French bulldogs have featured in ads for Audi and Fisher and Paykel.

Cooper Headey, 2, from Kangaroo Point, with Beesley the Tibetan Mastiff. PIC: Jamie Hanson

AUSTRALIA’S TOP DOGS

1. British Bulldog

$3500-$6000

Known for their thick, lowset and muscular body with a pushed in face. They weigh 18kg-25kg and are not very active. Lifespan 7-10 years.

2. French Bulldog

$3500-$4500

Dubbed frog dogs due to the way they sit with their legs spread out. They need minimal exercise but have plenty of energy. They weigh 9kg-13kg. Lifespan 8-14 years.

3. Tibetan Mastiff

$3000-$7000

Believed to be an ancestor of the wolf. They like to bark and are agile so need good fencing. Weigh 45kg-72kg. Lifespan 10-12 years.

4. Neapolitan Mastiffs

$3000-$4000.

Also known as Italian Mastiffs. Romans once used them as war dogs. Only introduced to Australia in the 1990s. They drool a lot. Weigh 60kg-85kg. Lifespan 7- 9 years.

5. Portuguese Water dogs

$2200-$5000

A rare breed of working dog originating in Portugal, where they herded fish into fisherman’s nets and retrieved lost tackle. President Barack Obama adopted two for his daughters.

Weigh 16kg-27kg. Lifespan 10-14 years.

6. Xoloitzcuintle (also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog)

$2000-$4200.

Dubbed Xolo for short, the national dog of Mexico comes in a hairless or coated variety and are rare in Australia. Can also be found in toy and miniature sizes. Weigh 4kg-20kg. Lifespan 12-15 years.

7. Dogue de Bordeaux

$2500-$4000.

Made famous in the 1989 Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hooch the Dogue de Bordeaux, is also known as a French Mastiff. Minimal exercise needed. Weighs 45kg-50kg. Average lifespan 5-6 years.

8. Welsh Terriers

$2500-$4000.

This working dog breed is on the UK’s native endangered breeds list and is rare in Australia. It was originally bred for hunting rodents, badgers and foxes in Wales and is believed to be the oldest existing dog breed in the UK. Weighs 9kg-10kg. Life span 12-15 years.

9. Akita (Japanese)

$2000-$4000.

Originating in the northern mountains of Japan, there are two strains, an American simply known as an Akita, and the Japanese version, also known as an Akita Inu. The Akita (Japanese) was first recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council in 2013. Weighs 30kg-60kg. Lifespan 11-15 years.

10. Bracco Italiano

$2000-$3000.

Also known as the Italian Pointer, this is a gun dog from Italy and is quite rare in Australia. Braccos, which can resemble bloodhounds, love to be close to their family, especially children. They are an active breed and also require mental stimulation. They can weigh between 25kg-40kg and live for more than 10 years.