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World's Priciest Dog Costs $582,135
Source: AOL.com
Posted: 09/11/09 11:45PM
Filed Under: Main
A black Tibetan mastiff with a plaintive expression not unlike the Cowardly Lion's is believed to have broken the world record as the most expensive dog, The Times of London reported Thursday. A Chinese woman paid $582,135 for the pricey canine, far surpassing the $155,000 reportedly doled out by a Florida family earlier this year for a Labrador named Lancelot Encore.
The mysterious buyer, identified only as Mrs. Wang, first encountered the animal during a trip to China's Qinghai province, reported the Times. She was traveling with a Tibetan mastiff already in her possession, which she hoped to mate with a similarly pure-blooded peer.
The moment she saw the 18-month-old dog then known as White Root, said the paper, she was determined to buy him.
"Gold has a price, but this Tibetan mastiff doesn't," the woman was quoted as saying. White Root may have appeared a strange name for a dog whose coat is almost entirely black. On the way back from Qinghai, his new owner changed his name to the catchier Yangtze River Number Two, said the Times.
Call him what you like, the canine arrived at his new home in style. He was met at the Xi'an airport by a motorcade of 30 luxury cars, the paper reported, and local pet lovers were dispatched to wave welcome banners in his honour. They don't call it a dog's life for nothing.
In what might well have been the original pet fad, ancient Egyptians domesticated wild cats and worshiped them. Not only did they mummify cats, but killing a cat incurred the death penalty. Now that's some serious animal activism.
Weird Pet Fads
Cat Fancy
In what might well have been the original pet fad, ancient Egyptians domesticated wild cats and worshiped them. Not only did they mummify cats, but killing a cat incurred the death penalty. Now that's some serious animal activism.
William West, AFP / Getty Images
Flying the Coop
In 1907, pigeons were the fashionable pet. That's a trend we'd love to see coming back. Seriously, how perfect would Paris Hilton look the next time she walked down the red carpet with a greasy city pigeon perched on her shoulder?
Photodisc
Some Pig
Domesticated Vietnamese potbellied pigs were all the rage in the mid-90s. About the size of a medium-breed dog, these admittedly cute creatures like to root through trash and are prone to gas. Wonder why they went out of style?
Photodisc
Down at the (Ant) Farm
Having an ant colony in your home is disgusting. Having an ant colony living in a plastic case in your home, however, is educational and fun! Since 1956, Uncle Milton's Ant Farms have allowed curious children to watch worker ants busy themselves making tunnels.
Buy this ant farm!
amazon.com
Rocky Road
The '70s were a complicated and confusing time. Perhaps this is why pet rocks actually became a nationwide fad. Conceived by a California marketing executive, these gray stones were sold with instruction manuals, tiny carrying cases, and googly eyes.
Al Freni, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
Monkey Sea, Monkey Do
Sea-Monkeys made their appearance on the pet scene in the 1960s. Since then, millions of kids have received their kits in the mail, added water to start the growth, and been totally disappointed. The mystical creatures seen on the package are really just brine shrimp.
Utah Div. of Wildlife Resources / AP
Turtle Power
Obviously watching a cartoon about pizza loving turtle-human hybrids who enjoy martial arts makes you want to acquire such a creature for yourself. While hybrids aren't available, kids did scramble to own their very own turtle after watching the late '80s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series. Sadly, people soon realized their new pets would do nothing to protect them from evil super villains, leading to record numbers of pet turtles being abandoned.
Donald Bower, Getty Images
Ch-ch-ch-chia!
In 1982, the first Chia Pet -- a ram -- was released to widespread enthusiasm. Though Chia Pets have declined in popularity since then, new varieties are continually released, from Simpsons-themed figurines to a recent Obama head.
Buy this chia pet!
amazon.com
Tamagotchi Fever
In 1996, over 40 million of these Japanese digital pets were sold. While kids obsessively "fed" and "cared for" their new "pets," parents everywhere sighed with relief. So much easier than a puppy.
Bandai
All's Ferret in Love and War
Before the '80s not many people had these energetic, un-potty-trainable, tube-shaped creatures as pets. But by 1996, there were 800,000 domestic ferrets in the United States. Three years later, Mayor Giuliani banned pet ferrets in New York City, saying, "This excessive concern with little weasels is a sickness."
EyeWire
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Bo! The Puppy Power comic book stars you-know-who as a superhero. Let's just hope Bo isn't letting all this attention go to his cute shaggy head.
Bo Obama Merchandise
Puppy Power Comic Book
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Bo! The Puppy Power comic book stars you-know-who as a superhero. Let's just hope Bo isn't letting all this attention go to his cute shaggy head.
Bluewater Productions INC.
Stuffed animal
A German company released this adorable stuffed Bo Obama by far the softest, snuggliest piece of presidential paraphernalia we've ever seen!
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Baseball card
The tech-savvy White House now has a Bo Obama baseball card you can download and print (featuring his official portrait). According to the card, Bo's hobbies include playing on the lawn and taking walks. He's not such a great athlete, though ? the card also reveals that he doesn't know how to swim!
Chuck Kennedy, White House
Bo, America's Commander In Leash Book
If the constant news coverage of Bo isn't enough for you, check out this children's book featuring the first pet. The book features Bo participating in White House traditions like peeing on foreign dignitaries (just kidding).
Bo, America's Commander in Leash Book
Amazon
Beanie Baby
The presidential pooch is so popular that Beanie Babies designed in his likeness are flying off the shelves. The collectibles are already selling for over a hundred dollars on eBay. Bow wow!
Ty Inc.
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