Most expensive dog breeds for pet insurance

Key points

• Pet insurance companies use dog breeds as a factor when setting rates.
• The most expensive dog breeds for pet insurance are American mastiff, bull mastiff, mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff and Saint Bernard.
• Other expensive dogs to insure include English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Great Danes and Rottweilers.   

When you buy pet insurance, your dog’s breed can impact how much you’ll pay. Our insurance experts compared rates and spoke with industry experts to identify some of the most expensive dog breeds for pet insurance.

Most expensive dogs to insure

Comparing the cost of pet insurance for 367 dog breeds, our insurance experts found that 13 breeds have a very high pet insurance rate compared to other dog breeds, 33 breeds have a high relative cost and 31 have a relatively medium high cost. These 77 breeds are often the most expensive dogs to insure. 

Why pet insurance costs differ by breed

“Insurance costs differ by breed due to the significant variation of health risks in dogs of different breeds,” said Christie Ross, spokesperson for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. Breeds with a higher risk of developing certain illnesses and injuries that could lead to costly surgeries or treatments will cost more to insure than heartier breeds, including mixed dog breeds.

“Beyond genetic conditions that might lead to increased vet costs throughout the pet’s lifespan, various breeds have lifestyle and body-type characteristics that increase the likelihood of certain injuries and illnesses,” said Miles Thorson, CEO of Odie Pet Insurance.

For instance, active and working dog breeds are more likely to tear a cruciate ligament, break a leg, develop hip dysplasia or receive deep lacerations requiring medical care than other breeds.

According to Philip Wright, actuarial manager for pet health insurance at Lemonade, insurance companies use actuarial risk analysis to determine the likelihood you will file a claim, and to make the cost of pet insurance fairer. “This ensures that pet parents are paying the correct amount to give them the coverage that suits their pet needs, based on their predicted veterinary costs.”

How much it costs to own a dog

The American Kennel Club estimates the average annual cost of owning a dog at $2,500, with an initial setup expense of around $2,100. 

Your dog’s cost can vary substantially when you factor in food preferences, grooming needs, pet sitting and other factors. 

Although we can’t specifically pinpoint the most expensive dogs to own, some of the most expensive to insure can be brachycephalic breeds, like bulldogs. According to Ross, these short-snouted breeds have a higher risk of:

• Breathing problems.
• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).
• Conjunctivitis.
• Dental disease.
• Skin fold dermatitis.
• Stenotic nares (pinched or narrow nostrils that obstruct the nasal cavity).

Common health conditions in dogs

Here are some examples of health conditions in certain dog breeds that could make them more expensive dogs to insure.

Cushing’s disease

“Cushing’s disease is an endocrine system syndrome in which the adrenal glands excessively produce glucocorticoids,” said Dr. Aliya McCullough, chief veterinary officer and director of veterinary affairs at Fetch by The Dodo. This stress hormone can cause symptoms like:

• Hair loss.
• Increased thirst, appetite and urination.
• Muscle weakness.
• Poor wound healing.
• Potbelly.
• Thin scaly skin and/or dark patches.

To diagnose Cushing’s disease, a veterinarian could recommend an abdominal ultrasound and blood and urine tests, advised Dr. McCullough. While there is no cure for this disease, long-term medication use can help control it. Then, there is a need for regular vet exams and laboratory testing to monitor for medication side effects.

Pawlicy Advisor estimates the initial diagnostic costs between $500 and $1,500, with treatment costing between $50 and $200 monthly, which doesn’t include regular blood work expenses. Some dogs require surgery, which can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000.

Hip dysplasia

Although dogs of any breed can develop hip dysplasia, this hereditary condition is more common in larger breeds, like:

• Bernese mountain dogs.
• Great Danes.
• Golden retrievers.
• Labrador retrievers.
• Mastiffs.
• Rottweilers.
• Saint Bernards.

Some mild cases are manageable with medication and physical therapy, said Ross, but others require surgery to correct, which can cost between $1,500 and $7,000.

These same breeds can also be predisposed to joint problems and cruciate ligament tears. The average cost of surgical repair for cruciate ligaments is between $2,000 and $5,000, according to PetMD.

Bloat

According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, deep-chested large breeds, like Weimaraners, Great Danes and Doberman pinschers, are susceptible to bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus (GSV), which is a life-threatening condition that causes stomach rotating or twisting.

While minor episodes of gas or bloating may resolve without medical intervention, GSV requires surgery. Ross estimates the cost at $2,500 to $8,000.

Periodontal dental disease

Small dog breeds, especially flat-faced breeds, are more genetically susceptible to periodontal disease, but any breed can get this dental illness. Breeds most prone include:

• Boston terriers.
• Bulldogs.
• Chihuahuas.
• Pugs.
• Shih Tzus.
• Yorkshire terriers.

Conditioning your dog to regular brushing and dental cleanings can prevent dental disease or cure mild cases, but severe cases usually require surgery. This can cost between $500 to $2,500, said Ross.

While some pet insurance companies cover periodontal disease, they may require routine dental cleanings, which typically aren’t covered unless you buy an optional wellness plan. 

If you have a breed at higher risk for dental diseases, be sure to read the fine print to ensure you buy pet insurance and a wellness plan with the right coverage if you don’t want to be responsible for the full cost.

Ear infections

Ear infections are another illness that any breed can get, but breeds with long, floppy ears are more likely to get them and may develop chronic ear infections. These breeds include:

• Cocker spaniels.
• Labrador retrievers.
• Pit Bulls.
• Poodles.
• Shar-Peis.

While mild cases may cost around $300 to treat, said Ross, more severe cases can cost an average of $2,500 to treat, especially when the dog is prone to chronic ear infections.