Arab sheikhs are extremely wealthy individuals, boasting multi-billion dollar fortunes. They enjoy all the benefits of civilization and can afford any whim. The wealthy residents of the Persian Gulf are renowned for their love of wealth and luxurious lifestyles; they own not only yachts and gold-plated cars, but also beloved pets.
Elite racehorses
A well-groomed, pedigree-bred, and beautifully groomed horse is the pride of any sheikh. Arabian horses are renowned far beyond the Arabian Peninsula, considered the most expensive, beautiful, and graceful. Representatives of this royal breed of horse live in the stables of Arabian sheikhs, and they receive truly royal care.
These horses possess exceptional endurance and speed, and their value can reach several million dollars. The stables of Arabian millionaires provide them with excellent conditions—spotless cleanliness, bright rooms with marble floors, reminiscent of a five-star hotel corridor. Each horse has its own spacious, bright, air-conditioned stall, and a plaque listing the animal's name, age, and pedigree.
The sheikh's stables are home to not only purebred Arabian horses, but also purebred racehorses of other breeds - English racehorses, Orlov trotters, American trotters, Sorraias, and Friesians.
Hounds
One of the pastimes of wealthy Arabs is dog racing and hunting, and the best breed for these pursuits is the Arabian greyhound. These dogs possess incredible agility, exceptional endurance, and excellent hunting abilities.
The Arabian greyhound is one of the most highly pedigreed dogs. It is distinguished by its refined appearance, fine skin, and well-defined, lean muscles. It is also the longest-legged dog breed, with a body-to-height ratio of 0.96. Today, the Arabian greyhound is a very rare breed and expensive for the average person.
Wild cats
Arab billionaires love to keep wild animals, considered a sign of wealth. These animals are primarily tigers, lions, panthers, leopards, and cheetahs. They accompany their owners on city trips, stroll across the lawn, and swim in the pool. One sheikh even made gold cages and food bowls for his pets.
Hawks and falcons
Falcons are another status symbol for wealthy Arabs. These elite birds can cost more than a luxury car. Keeping them is as prestigious as owning a yacht or a mansion.
Falconry has survived in the Middle East; it is a highly respected pursuit, evoking intense hunting excitement. War hawks and falcons can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h; they are easily trained, friendly, and quickly become accustomed to humans.
In the United Arab Emirates there is a falcon museum and special hospitals for hunting birds with all the necessary equipment.
Camels
Many wealthy Arabs own camels. The UAE even hosts a camel beauty festival and camel races, where winning is considered a highly prestigious and lucrative achievement. Winners of these competitions are awarded large sums of money, golden Arabian swords, or cars.
A Dubai prince purchased a camel that won a beauty contest for $2.7 million, and an Abu Dhabi sheikh paid over $4 million for a purebred camel, the indigenous breed used in camel racing. The sheikh also purchased a female camel for the male, bringing the total transaction price for both animals to $7 million.
