The lifestyles of the rich and famous can attract unwanted attention, and many of these high-income individuals are purchasing high-end guard dogs to keep themselves safe. Guard dogs are nothing new, but this new breed doesn't come cheap. One breeder of elite canine guardians, Svalinn, describes its dogs as the "ultimate lovers and protectors" that offer "guaranteed peace of mind."Â
Svalinn's dogs "cost at least $150,000," and each dog is an "undisclosed mix of Dutch shepherd, German shepherd and Belgian Malinois," New York magazine said. Much of this price is "derived not from breeding but rather the intensity of its training, which takes two to three years."
While Svalinn is based in Montana, other guard dog companies focus on large urban markets. Arteom Bulgadarian, who purchased a home in Sherman Oaks, California, bought a dog from Delta K9 Academy for $70,000. But "amortize [the cost] over 10 to 15 years, whatever the dog's life is, and it's not that big of a price tag," Bulgadarian told the Los Angeles Times.Â
High-end guard dogs go through intense training early in their lives so that by "three to four months old, you will have a puppy that is confident and has a strong personality," Mike Israeli, the owner of Delta K9, said to Business Insider. By the end of the training process, the dog "understands that if there is no command, it won't engage, but if there is a command to go, it will go." |