How Much Would You Pay For A Dog? These Military-Grade Protection Dogs Have A $150,000 Price Tag, And Billionaires Are Snapping Them Up

Imagine having a dog that's both a loving pet and a trained bodyguard. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for a hefty price of $150,000, this dream can become a reality with Svalinn dogs. These elite protection dogs are the latest craze among billionaires looking for companionship and security.

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Svalinn dogs are a unique breed created by Kim Greene in Montana. They are a mix of Dutch shepherds, German shepherds, and Belgian Malinois. The name "Svalinn" comes from Norse mythology, referring to a shield that protects the world, which is fitting for these dogs' role as protectors.

These dogs are not your average pets. They undergo two to three years of intense training to develop their agility, intelligence, and strength. The result is a dog that can instantly switch from being a gentle family companion to a fierce protector. 

The Svalinn website describes them as "a pair of ever-watchful eyes, backed with the decision-making capability and elite training to defend you and your family in a split second."

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The training for these dogs is rigorous. They go through obstacle courses and drills to hone their physical and mental abilities. This training ensures they are not just strong and fast but also smart and disciplined. Owners (and their kids) can still play with their dogs, but the dogs also know when to switch back to protection mode with a simple command.

Greene and her trainers train the Svalinn dogs to blend perfectly into their owners’ luxurious lifestyles so they can travel on private jets, attend board meetings, and climb onto boats, among many other things. 

When people buy these dogs, they become part of an exclusive club that provides ongoing support and training for their entire lives. "You're becoming part of a club," Greene told New York magazine. "You're buying into support and troubleshooting and backstopping. We're on the phone anytime you need us. It's like all of a sudden you've got a trip to Australia — we can be at your doorstep to collect your animal and redeliver it two weeks later."

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Who's Buying Them?

As their breeder Greene says, with a price tag of $150,000, these dogs are not for everyone, "but for the paranoid billionaire who wants peace of mind, perhaps $150,000 is a small price to pay for an ultra-loyal, highly trained, lethal bodyguard who will also play fetch?"

Indeed, for the wealthy, especially reclusive billionaires, these unique dogs are a small price for such protection. They are popular among the ultrarich, who value the security and companionship these dogs offer. Clients are thoroughly vetted to ensure they are a good match for these high-maintenance pets.

Are They Worth It?

Owning a Svalinn dog is also a status symbol. Only about 20 are sold each year, making them rare and exclusive. The careful screening process ensures that only people committed to caring for and training these dogs can buy one. This exclusivity shows wealth and a dedication to security and high standards, making owning a Svalinn dog prestigious.

To understand how much $150,000 is for a billionaire, we can look at the percentage of their total wealth. $150,000 is just 0.015% of a billionaire's $1 billion net worth. For a billionaire, spending $150,000 on a Svalinn dog is equivalent to a person with $1,000 spending $0.15.

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