The world’s most expensive dog has sold for $5.7 million. Many consider it to be the most unique dog in the world, as it is a cross between a wolf and a Caucasian Shepherd.
An Indian man by the name of S. Satihsh completed the purchase of ‘Cadabomb Okami’, the wolfdog. The pup is only eight months old was born in the United States, and already weighs more than 165 lbs and is over 30 inches tall.
Since he is part Caucasian Sheperd, Okami is a guardian breed. According to the American Kennel Club, these are dogs known for their protective instincts and intelligence. This means that dogs from these breeds, like the German Sheperd and Doberman Pinscher, often make good watchdogs.
The most expensive dog in the world was sold last February
The pup was sold last in February to S. Sathish, a dog breeder from Bengaluru, from India’s Karnataka state. In an interview with the British tabloid The Sun, Sathish said, “I spent 50 million rupees on buying this pup because I am fond of dogs and like to own unique dogs and introduce them to India.”
Mr. Sathish currently owns more than 150 different dog breeds. Okami has already become a star since his arrival in India. A video of him walking down on the red carpet at a movie premiere with his master has already raked up more than 3 million views online.
THE world's most expensive dog has sold for a whopping £4.4million – and one of its parents is a wolf.
An Indian dog enthusiast dropped the eyewatering sum on a "wolfdog" called Cadabomb Okami. pic.twitter.com/XVNaSEf1XB— Centennial Man (@CentennialMan) March 18, 2025
Sathish stopped breeding dogs 10 years ago. His business model now consists of showing off his dogs to eager crowds, with rates going from US$ 2,800 for 30 minutes, to US$11,700 for five hours.
How can pups get so expensive?
According to experts, there are several factors that can make a dog very expensive. For instance, breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff, have reportedly sold for fees as high as US$ 1.5 million. The fees are often increased because of their rarity, pedigree records, and the cost of careful breeding practices, as well as health screenings.
The case of Okami is quite extreme, as a dog this exclusive means that there is quite literally no other dog like it in the world. In economic terms, it means that the supply of this ‘breed’ is very low, while demand for rare dog breeds is often high. Another factor that helps increase the value of a dog is how marketable the breed is. For instance, if a celebrity or a very reputable dog breeder owns a dog of a specific breed, it may help drive up its value.
Perhaps the most important factor in determining a dog’s worth, however, is the health testing and breeding costs of genetically engineering a dog. The best breeders invest heavily in veterinary care and proper socialization amongst dogs, as well as pre-natal exams and very demanding health checks.