An 11-month-old Red Tibetan Mastiff has become the priciest dog in the world after being sold for 10 million Chinese yuan, or $1.5 million.

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

Reputedly owned by Genghis Khan and Lord Buddha, the Red Tibetan Mastiff is viewed as a “pure Chinese” breed because of its well-documented history and nearly exclusive Chinese population.

These dogs are also considered one of the oldest pure breeds in the world. Less than 20 are reported to remain in Tibet.

Before the sale, the world’s most expensive dog was another Tibetan Mastiff, named Yangtze River Number Two, that was sold in 2009 for 4 million yuan.

Source: sfgate