Out With the Kibble and In With the Steak. The World's Richest Dog Has a Net Worth of $400 Million – And a New Netflix Docuseries Too 'Gunther's Millions' is set to unpack the pooch's mysterious fortune and what those around him have done with his inheritance.

By Sam Silverman Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Courtesy of Netflix

From millions in real estate to jet-setting around the globe, the world's richest dog is rolling in the dough.

Gunther VI is a German Shepard with a net worth of $400 million. It sounds too good to be true, but Gunther is the heir to his grandfather Gunther III's fortune, also a German Shepard, who was owned by mysterious German countess Karlotta Leibenstein. Before the countess died in 1992, she left her $80 million estate in the paws of the pooch — she didn't have a living heir after her son's tragic death.

Although we know German Shepards are among the smartest breeds, it's unlikely a dog can be trained in finance. So the countess left Gunther's fortune in the hands of Italian pharmaceutical heir Maurizio Mian — a friend of the countess' late son.

Now, 30 years later, Mian has built a lucrative and lavish empire for Gunther's descendants, including a $7.5 million Miami mansion he purchased from Madonna on Gunther's behalf, which was then sold for a profit at $29 million.

Under Mian's care, Gunther's original $80 million inheritance has grown to a whopping $400 million, but not without cost.

Netflix is set to unpack the unbelievable tale and the questionable handling of Gunther's assets in a new four-part investigative docuseries, Gunther's Millions, premiering on February 1.

Keep scrolling for more details about Gunther and the new documentary.

Who is Maurizio Mian?

Before Gunther's bloodline fell into the hands of Mauizio Mian, the Italian entrepreneur was known as the heir to the successful pharmaceutical company Istituto Gentili, which was instrumental in developing a treatment for osteoporosis, according to the Daily Beast.

After going to medical school, Mian became a university professor before assuming the position of Gunther's handler. Under Mian's care, the Gunther Trust was established and now owns several businesses and corporations, including The Burgundians, an entertainment group comprised of rotating aspiring models who sing and dance for the lucky dog.

However, The Burgundians fell apart after Mian allegedly conducted "science experiments" to study happiness, according to the outlet. He went on to buy several sports teams including the Pisa Sporting Club and formed another music group, The Magnificent 5, with the purpose of procreating and birthing ideal humans, according to the outlet.

Related: Who Is Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker? Netflix Unpacks How the Viral Meme Sensation Went From Internet Fame to Convicted Murderer

Is the tale of Gunther's millions real?

Based on a glance at Maurizio Mian's suspicious resume, the entrepreneur's credibility is questionable. As it turns out, the story behind Gunther's riches is a farce that Mian created to avoid Italian tax laws, according to the Daily Beast.

Furthermore, Fox Business notes that there is no evidence that a countess ever existed, and other reports claim that there might be more than one Gunther among us.

Additional reports also show that Mian tended to inflate and change his stories to the press over the years.

Although Gunther's past might be made up, Gunther IV is very much real and currently lives in Italy.

"He has a very nice life and is very well taken care of," Emily Dumay, executive producer of Gunther's Millions, told Fox. "Throughout the years, there were multiple Gunthers. Obviously, Gunther does not necessarily travel or do all the activities — that's something the caretakers do," she added. "So, sometimes they will have stand-ins. They will have a stand-in if they feel it's not appropriate to bring Gunther due to safety reasons. They're also very protective of him."

RELATED: What Did Bernie Madoff Do? Everything to Know About the Disgraced Financier Ahead of Netflix's 'Madoff: The Monster of Wall'

How does Gunther spend his money?

While it's not exactly clear how Gunther amassed his great fortune, or how he swipes his credit cards with his paws, he definitely isn't roughing it.

The hound has an entire staff that waits on his needs, including a private chef who presents him with gold-flake-covered steaks, and both a legal and public relations team, per Forbes. He is also protected by a security team and often visits a high-end groomer, Fox Business found.

Additionally, the film's executive producer told Fox that Gunther's handlers are always looking to expand his empire, and they are currently discussing "a digital collection" that will allow fans to digitally interact with the pooch.

Furthermore, Gunther is said to own multiple mansions and villas, and he prefers to fly private over commercial flights.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'One of the Most Consequential Bills Ever': Here's How the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Will Affect Small Businesses

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the multi-trillion-dollar bill on July 4.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Money & Finance

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Your State? Here's the Breakdown.

Regardless of where you spend your golden years, it pays to be realistic about the cost of living.

Business News

Starbucks Is Offering Executives $6 Million Performance-Based Stock Grants

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is offering leadership stock grants if they can "meaningfully" reduce operating expenses.

Marketing

4 Keyword Mistakes That Are Killing Your SEO — and What to Do Instead

Adapt your SEO strategy now to stay ahead of AI and algorithm changes reshaping search.

Business News

AI Is Going to 'Replace Everybody' in Several Fields, According to the 'Godfather of AI.' Here's Who He Says Should Be 'Terrified.'

Geoffrey Hinton, called the "Godfather of AI" due to his pioneering work on AI, says some fields face a heavier risk of replacement due to automation.