The ownership of any pet, especially a dog, can be immensely fulfilling. However, be aware of the fiscal responsibilities that go with it.
That said, these costs will widely vary depending on the breed and age of the dog in question. Certain breeds are predisposed to specific medical conditions, while individual dogs may be at increased risk due to their genetic pedigree. Due to this, when insuring your dog, bear in mind that some breeds will be more expensive than others.
Even with the hardiest of dogs, however, there will be certain unavoidable costs. When it comes to adoption, procedures and initial ownership fees will differ based on whether you get your dog from a kennel, a breeder, or a rescue organization.
Depending on the route taken, as well as which state you're located in, adoption fees can add up to over $600. From there, the dog's breed may begin to play a financial role. If your newly adopted dog is apart of any one of the following dog breeds, a new pet insurance policy could prevent many financial headaches down the line.
Which dog breeds are the most expensive?
- Chihuahua
- Doberman
- English Bulldog
- English Setter
- Great Dane
- Poodle
- Pug
- Rottweiler
- Saint Bernard
- Shar Pei
Chihuahua
Chihuahua’s are known for three primary health issues — Hypoglycemia, an elongated soft palate, and the lunation of the patella. In English, this means low blood sugar, breathing difficulties and kneecap dislocation, respectively.
Bearing these health predispositions in mind, insurance premiums for Chihuahuas can be more expensive than you might expect. Depending on your Chihuahua’s age, as well as where you reside, you should expect an average of $50 per month.
Doberman
Dobermans are known for a myriad of health issues — cancer, hypothyroidism, hepatitis and cardiomyopathy, to name a few. This breed is also susceptible to gastric torsions, due to its size, and Von Willebrand’s disease. In many cases, these conditions can be fatal.
As such, the Doberman breed requires frequent medical proactivity. With that in mind, these health predispositions don’t make for cheap insurance premiums. Depending on your location and chosen deductible, expect to pay an average of $33 per month.
English Bulldog
In the initial breeding of English Bulldogs, aesthetics superseded health realities. As such, hip dysplasia and cleft lip are prevalent. Due to its ‘folded-skin’ appearance, bulldogs also show a tendency toward skin infections and eye problems.
Keeping all that in mind, it’s important to emphasize that while not all bulldogs show these deformities, they are especially common. Should pet insurance for your English bulldog become a realistic option, then you can expect a monthly premium of $39, depending on extenuating circumstances.
English Setter
The English Setter breed, similar to the Doberman, is susceptible to several health issues. Gastric torsion, deafness, hip dysplasia, hemophilia, hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism only to cover a basic few. The breed is also prone to a series of eye conditions, such as cataracts, retinal atrophy and cherry eye.
All told, these conditions come with the territory. In that regard, health insurance premiums for English Setters should hover around $25 per month.
Great Dane
Great Danes, in the same vein as Dobermans, are known for a great series of health issues. As they are similarly deep-chested, gastric torsions and cardiomyopathy are again conditions to look out for. Other likely issues include cancer, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia.
With that in mind, these health predispositions don’t make for cheap insurance premiums for Great Danes. Depending on your location and chosen deductible, an average of $33 per month can be expected.
Poodle
Put bluntly, Poodles are not the healthiest of dog breeds. With an across-the-board tendency towards the common defects of gastric torsions, hip dysplasia and thyroid disease, one could be forgiven for thinking that those were all. Renal disease, retinal atrophy and and Addison’s disease are eminently possible as well. Being particularly fatal, Addison’s disease, a rare imbalance of the adrenal gland, is one keep vigilant watch out for.
Given these possibilities, pet insurance for poodles would be a good investment. Assuming your deductions and place of residence are within standard deviations, it would be wise to expect a monthly approximate of $32 in premiums.
Pug
Pugs share a key defect with Chihuahuas — an elongated soft palate. Due to the structure of a Pug’s skull, breathing difficulty can be expected. Combined with the soft palate, however, this ‘perk’ can become significantly more worrisome, especially in the event of hot weather. Furthermore, this combination can contribute to exercise difficulty, as well as problems with swallowing.
Depending on the Pug in question, these defects can be more severe in some than others. Knowing your dog, it would behoove you to consider the factors at hand to ensure that no critical issues arise. If pet insurance for your pug emerges as the appropriate response, then the premiums of $32 a month should be expected.
Rottweiler
In the same predisposed family as the Great Dane and the Doberman, Rottweilers are at substantial risk for a series of medical issues. Gastric problems, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, cancer and joint problems make the majority of their issues-at-hand.
Knowing their possible conditions, it could be wise to consider taking out a pet insurance plan for your Rottweiler. To that end, premiums should average out to $34 per month.
Saint Bernard
Another large, deep-chested breed, Saint Bernards have a high likelihood of contracting conditions expected for those breeds of similar size and shape. Again, gastric torsions are something to watch for, as is cardiomyopathy, cataracts, hip dysplasia and diabetes. Moreover, Saint Bernards also have a tendency towards epilepsy and kneecap dislocation.
With these conditions as real possibilities, it would be smart to err on the side of caution. Pet insurance for Saint Bernards could very well be the way to go. Should it be so, the monthly premiums will be in the neighborhood of $46.
Shar Pei
Hailing from the far-off land of China, Shar Peis are not immune from the genetic defects that plague otherworldly breeds. Similar to that of the English bulldog, their faces were bred to attain their ‘folded skin’ aesthetic. In that regard, skin infections, rashes and mold are very common. As with many dogs, joint dysplasia is also highly probable.
Also as with English bulldogs, bear in mind that not all Shar Peis display these conditions. If you think your Shar Pei might be at risk, then pet insurance might be the way to go. In the event that you go that route, premiums reaching $74 would not be out of the question.
Of course, these dogs represent the most expensive on offer. With or without health insurance, they will undoubtedly set you back. This doesn’t make them any less lovable, though. That said, if you’re in the market for a breed that is less intense on your finances, then the following breeds might be worth considering.
WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE INEXPENSIVE?
- Greyhound
- Dachshund
- Beagle
- Collie
- Bull Terrier
It doesn’t require a breed predisposed to illness, however, to have an owner examine their pet insurance options.
Should you like to begin inquiring and researching your options for pet insurance our roundup would be a great place to start.