A Bengaluru-based dog breeder has made headlines after spending a staggering Rs 50 crore on a rare “wolfdog” named Cadabomb Okami. This unique canine, a cross between a wolf and a Caucasian Shepherd, is believed to be the first of its kind and is considered one of the most expensive dogs in the world.

S Sathish, a well-known dog enthusiast and breeder, has long been recognised for his collection of rare and exotic canines. At 51, he owns more than 150 different breeds and, despite stepping away from breeding a decade ago, now earns a substantial income by showcasing his prized pets at high-profile events.

Okami, the latest addition to his collection, was bred in the United States and sold through a broker in India in February. The pup, just eight months old, already weighs an impressive 75 kg and stands at 30 inches tall. Describing Okami as “an extremely rare breed of dog” that “looks exactly like a wolf,” Sathish claimed that no similar dog has been sold anywhere in the world before.

One of Okami’s parent breeds, the Caucasian Shepherd, is known for its strength, intelligence, and protective instincts. Native to colder regions such as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and parts of Russia, these dogs are often used to guard livestock against predators, including wolves.

The rare wolfdog has been making appearances at major events across Karnataka, including film premieres, attracting huge crowds eager to catch a glimpse and take selfies. Sathish capitalised on this popularity, charging between £2,200 (approximately Rs 2.45 lakh) for a 30-minute appearance and up to £9,000 (over Rs 10 lakh) for a five-hour engagement.

“My dog and I receive more attention than an actor at a movie screening. We are both crowd-pullers,” he remarked.

All of Sathish’s dogs reside at Cadabom’s Kennels, a sprawling seven-acre estate designed to accommodate his collection. Each dog has a personal 20ft by 20ft enclosure, and the entire property is fortified with a 10ft-high perimeter wall and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance to ensure their safety. A team of six caretakers tends to their needs, providing ample space for exercise and activity.

The dogs are also maintained on a carefully curated diet. Sathish avoids commercially packed dog food, citing concerns over steroids that he believes could reduce their lifespan. Instead, he feeds them raw meat, with Okami consuming three kilograms of raw chicken daily.

Sathish has built a reputation for acquiring some of the rarest and most expensive dogs in the world. Among his collection is a rare Chow Chow that resembles a Qinling panda, a red-and-white bear species from China. He reportedly purchased this dog for over £2.5 million (Rs 28 crore) last year.