For the Ultra-Wealthy, Safety Meets Affection
For the security-conscious elite, high-tech systems and bodyguards might no longer suffice. Enter Svalinn, a Montana-based company offering “military grade” protection dogs for $150,000 each. These unique canines combine elite danger-sensing instincts with the warmth of a typical pet.
A unique hybrid
Svalinn’s dogs are a blend of Dutch shepherd, German shepherd, and Belgian Malinois, trained intensively for three years. The company prides itself on offering no more than 20 dogs a year, with only about 350 existing worldwide. Potential buyers must undergo a rigorous selection process to ensure they are a good match for these highly trained animals.
Rigorous selection and training
The four-step acquisition process includes meeting the breeders, visiting the ranch, selecting the perfect dog, and securing it with a non-refundable deposit. Kim Greene, co-founder of Svalinn, emphasizes the company’s “no-a**holes policy,” ensuring only the right clients receive their dogs.
“We’ve done a lot of due diligence on the people who visit. We’re interviewing clients as much as they’re interviewing us,” Greene told New York Magazine. After purchase, a Svalinn handler visits within 45 days to check on the dog’s training and behavior.
Owners describe their Svalinn dogs as both gentle and protective. “I feel like we have a gentle Navy SEAL in the house,” said Stephen Mazzola, an airline pilot and owner of a Svalinn dog. Mazzola noted his dog’s instinctual protective behavior, even in public settings like restaurants.
Another client, Regis Haid, initially balked at the price but was convinced after visiting the Svalinn training facility. “These dogs – they’re like humans,” said Haid, who now owns two Svalinn dogs.
While the high price tag reflects the intensity of their training, Greene insists that Svalinn dogs are not just luxury items. “These are protection assets,” she said. The company’s origins trace back to Kenya, where Greene and her former husband bred Rhodesian Ridgebacks for the expat community and noticed an increased interest in K-9 security after the 2011 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.
A tough training regimen
The demanding training regimen ensures only the best dogs are selected. “If nature takes puppies, it takes puppies,” Greene explained. “If we were a puppy mill, we would sleep with the puppies, we’d give them heat lamps. But you know what? These are protection assets.”
For the ultra-wealthy looking for both companionship and security, Svalinn’s protection dogs offer an unparalleled blend of loyalty, affection, and protection.
