• Unfortunately our urbanization and explosion of wealth and personal choices of "symbols" have lead to the the demise of many venerable dog breeds. It seems that we no longer need a dog that can perform a function in harsh environments but rather something to show others how "cool" we are and how unique the dog.  The more unique and expensive the more props one would get.  So someone paying a king's ransom for a dog that is expected to live for 12 years is exorbitant.

    There are some of us who continues to work our dogs and employ them for their created function as best as possible.  Those doing that - must be congratulated and encouraged as the restrictions of "civilized" society squeeze us into oblivion and take our dogs with us.  So, spending millions of dollars on a dog is someone's right and freedom to do so if they have the money and the will.  I look at things like that and smile at the lengths to which some will go to be "different." At least he did not buy the dog to eat it and some gourmet function for the new moneyed class.