A Chinese dog-owner is suing an animal clinic in Beijing after his Tibetan mastiff died while undergoing a facelift to make it look more attractive to breeders.

The Telegraph reported that the owner, who is known only as Mr Yu, paid 1,000 yuan (S$198) for his pet to have plastic surgery in November last year.

The dog died of heart failure on the operating table 20 minutes into treatment. The newspaper reported that its death was related to a heart attack after complications with the anaesthetic.

Mr Yu is now suing the hospital 880,000 yuan, the amount he claims to have paid for the Tibetan mastiff.

He told Global Times: "If my dog looks better, female dog owners will pay a higher price when they want to mate their dog with mine."

Tibetan mastiffs are the world's most expensive breed of dogs and are China's latest must-have luxury item for the ultra-rich.

Breeders are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a mate for their mastiff.

In 2011, a Chinese coal magnate spent nearly $2 million on a Tibetan mastiff called Hong Dong.

Last year, a male Tibetan mastiff named Emperor was sold for the same price.

The mastiffs themselves look like money and resemble a lion, which is a traditional symbol of good fortune for the Chinese.

They've also become status symbols because they are thought to bless their owners with good health and security.

Tibetans believe the dogs are the reincarnation of monks and nuns who were not good enough to be reincarnated as humans or into Shambhala, the heavenly realm.

Tibetan mastiffs are also expensive to keep: Their diet consists of chicken and beef, and some Chinese delicacies such as sea cucumber and abalone.

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Photos: Internet, AFP, The Star/ANN, ST, China Daily/ANN