World's most expensive 'Red Tibetan Mastiff'

They say money can't buy love but £1million ($1.6 million) will get you man's most expensive best friend, the Guardian reports.

A red Tibetan mastiff has become the priciest dog in the world after being sold for 10 million Chinese yuan, or £945,000.

Big Splash, or Hong Dong in Chinese, was bought by a coal baron from the north of China.

And it's lucky his new master is a multi-millionaire, because the hefty price tag doesn't factor in Big Splash's diet ― enough chicken and beef to fill a growing 180lb dog, spiced up with Chinese delicacies such as sea cucumber and abalone.

They live for up to 14 years and have fewer genetic health problems than many breeds. The heaviest Tibetan Mastiff weighed in at more than 286 pounds (130kg).

They are fed an organic diet of tripe, boiled fish heads, powdered egg shells, cod liver oil and raw bones to help them clean their teeth.

Marco Polo supposedly encountered Tibetan Mastiffs in the 13th century, describing them as “tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion.”

There are only around 300 Tibetan Mastiffs in the U.K. They can only have one litter a year.

It is thought the Tibetan Mastiff genetically diverged from the wolf 58,000 years ago.

His owner will need a big house too, as adult Tibetan Mastiffs have been known to weigh as much as 286lb, the same as a sizeable rugby player.

However the typical weight for a fully grown Tibetan Mastiff is around 186lb.

But according to breeder Lu Liang, Big Splash is a “perfect specimen” and the extravagant price for the 11-month-old is completely justified.

He said: “We have spent a lot of money raising this dog, and we have the salaries of plenty of staff to pay,” adding that the new owner could charge almost £10,000 a time for Big Splash to breed with a female.

The high price paid for the dog is a sign that the red Tibetan mastiff has become a status symbol in China, replacing jewelry and cars as a way for the super-rich to show off their wealth.

The title of most expensive dog in the world was previously held by a Tibetan mastiff called Red Lion, who was valued at £915,000 last year.