How Your Dog's Breed Affects Insurance Costs: A UK Dog Owner's Guide

Hello there. Choosing to bring a dog into your life is one of the most wonderful decisions you can make. It’s a choice made with the heart, filled with thoughts of muddy walks, sofa cuddles, and unconditional love. It’s usually not a choice made with a spreadsheet and a calculator.

And yet, the practical side of dog ownership, especially the cost of pet insurance, can often come as a bit of a shock. You might have noticed when getting quotes that simply changing the breed can make the price swing wildly. It can feel confusing, and maybe even a little unfair. Why should your lovely dog’s background make such a huge difference?

We understand completely. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. We’re here to walk you through it all, step by step. We’ll gently unpack why insurers look so closely at breed, which breeds tend to cost more or less to insure, and what other factors are at play. Our goal is to replace confusion with clarity, so you can feel confident you’re making the best choices for you and your four-legged best friend. So, pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

• Why Does Breed Matter So Much to Pet Insurers?

• Which Dog Breeds are Most Expensive to Insure in the UK?

• Which Dog Breeds are Usually Cheaper to Insure?

• Beyond the Breed: What Else Influences Your Premium?

• Practical Ways You Can Manage Your Dog Insurance Costs

• Keeping Your Dog's Details Handy: The Final Piece of the Puzzle

Why Does Breed Matter So Much to Pet Insurers?

At its heart, insurance of any kind is about calculating risk. Pet insurers look at millions of data points from past claims to predict the likelihood of a dog needing veterinary treatment in the future. And one of the most significant predictors, for better or worse, is a dog's breed. It’s not about personal opinion or which dogs are 'better'; it's purely about statistics and probability based on decades of information.

Let's break down the specific reasons why your dog’s breed is such a crucial factor in their calculations.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

This is the single biggest reason. Over centuries, we have bred dogs for specific traits, whether it’s the long body of a Dachshund for going down badger holes, the flat face of a Pug for companionship, or the sheer size of a Great Dane for guarding. Unfortunately, this selective breeding has sometimes concentrated the genes for certain health problems within specific breeds.

These are known as hereditary or breed-specific conditions. Insurers have vast amounts of data showing that a Labrador, for example, is far more likely to suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia than a Border Terrier. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a statistically high chance of developing a heart condition called Mitral Valve Disease.

When an insurer sees a specific breed, they aren't just seeing your individual, healthy dog. They are seeing the accumulated risk profile of that entire breed. They know that treating hip dysplasia can run into thousands of pounds for surgery and ongoing care, and that managing a serious heart condition is a long-term, expensive commitment. The higher premium you pay for certain breeds is a direct reflection of the higher statistical chance that they will need to pay out for these costly, breed-specific treatments.

Size and Weight

It might seem simple, but the size of your dog has a direct impact on the cost of their medical care. Nearly every aspect of veterinary treatment is more expensive for a larger dog. A dose of anaesthetic for a Mastiff is significantly more than for a Chihuahua. The amount of medication required is greater, surgical implants are bigger and more expensive, and even things like overnight stays require more space and resources.

Insurers factor this in. The potential cost of a claim for the exact same procedure, like fixing a broken leg, will be substantially higher for a giant breed compared to a small one. Therefore, the premium is adjusted to account for this increased potential cost.

Breed-Specific Temperament and Behaviour

This is a more subtle factor, and it's certainly not about labelling any breed as 'bad'. It's about acknowledging the general energy levels and instincts that we have bred into them. For example, a high-energy, driven breed like a Border Collie or a Springer Spaniel may be more prone to accidental injuries. They spend their lives running at full speed, chasing balls, and leaping over obstacles, which statistically increases their chances of torn ligaments, sprains, or cuts.

Similarly, breeds with a strong prey drive might be more likely to get into scrapes while out and about. Insurers will look at claim data related to accidents and injuries, and if a particular breed shows a higher tendency for these types of claims, their premium will reflect that. It’s less about intentional behaviour and more about the simple risk that comes with a high-octane lifestyle.

Risk of Theft

Sadly, this has become a much more significant factor in recent years. Certain breeds, particularly popular 'designer' dogs or fashionable smaller breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Dachshunds, have become high-value targets for thieves. Most pet insurance policies include cover for theft or straying, which pays out an amount towards the purchase price of your dog if they are stolen and not recovered.

Because the risk of theft is statistically much higher for these desirable breeds, the portion of the premium that covers this risk is also higher. An insurer knows they are more likely to have to pay out a theft claim for a French Bulldog than for a Lurcher, and this is factored into the overall cost.

Lifespan

A dog's average lifespan also plays a part. Some giant breeds, for instance, have a shorter average lifespan but are prone to very expensive health conditions towards the end of their life. Conversely, some smaller breeds may live for 15 years or more. A longer life means more years in which a claim can be made for age-related illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, or organ problems. Insurers look at the overall picture, balancing the length of time they are likely to be covering the pet against the types of claims they are likely to see for that breed over its entire lifetime.

In short, when you enter your dog's breed into a comparison website, you’re not just entering a name. You’re giving the insurer a huge amount of statistical information that helps them predict the potential cost of caring for your dog over its lifetime.

Which Dog Breeds are Most Expensive to Insure in the UK?

Seeing a high insurance quote can be disheartening, but understanding the reasons behind it can help. The breeds that top the list for insurance costs are almost always those with a well-documented history of significant health problems. The premiums are high because the chances of an insurer having to pay out a large, and often ongoing, claim are also very high.

Here are some of the breeds that consistently come with the highest insurance premiums in the UK, with a deeper look at the reasons why.

Bulldogs (English and French)

These charming, comical, and hugely popular companions consistently top the charts for insurance costs, and it is almost entirely due to health issues linked to their core physical traits.

• Breathing Problems: The number one issue is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, or BOAS. Their beloved flat faces, while cute, come with a compressed airway. This can mean narrowed nostrils, a long soft palate that partially blocks their windpipe, and a narrower trachea (windpipe) than in other dogs. This leads to the classic snorting and snoring, but in moderate to severe cases, it causes real distress, exercise intolerance, and a risk of collapse in hot weather. Corrective surgery to widen the nostrils and trim the soft palate is a specialist procedure that frequently costs between £2,000 and £4,000, and insurers see these claims very regularly.

• Skin Issues: Those adorable wrinkles require a lot of care. Skin fold dermatitis is very common, where moisture and debris get trapped, leading to painful bacterial and yeast infections. This often requires lifelong management with special wipes, and frequent vet visits for medicated creams or antibiotics.

• Spinal Problems: Their stocky, screw-tailed build makes them prone to vertebral abnormalities, most notably hemivertebrae, where the bones of the spine are misshapen. This can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing pain, wobbliness, and in severe cases, paralysis. Diagnosing this requires expensive imaging like an MRI or CT scan, and surgery is a highly specialist and costly affair.

• Eye Conditions: Bulldogs are prone to several eye problems, including "cherry eye" where a tear gland pops out of place, and entropion, where the eyelids roll inwards causing eyelashes to rub painfully on the surface of the eye. Both of these conditions typically require surgery to correct.

The combination of a high likelihood of needing at least one of these major surgical interventions, plus the potential for lifelong management of skin and allergy issues, is what drives their insurance premiums so high.

Chow Chows

These dignified, fluffy, and ancient dogs have a unique look, but they are genetically predisposed to a number of expensive health conditions.

• Joint and Ligament Problems: Chow Chows have a high incidence of both hip and elbow dysplasia. This is where the joint doesn't form correctly, leading to instability, pain, and the early onset of arthritis. Diagnosis involves costly X-rays, and management can range from lifelong pain medication and therapy to major operations like a total hip replacement, which can cost upwards of £5,000 per joint. They are also prone to tearing their cruciate ligament in their knee, which is another expensive surgical repair.

• Eye Conditions: Like Bulldogs, they are very prone to entropion due to their facial structure and wrinkles. The constant irritation from their eyelashes can cause corneal ulcers, which are very painful and can threaten their sight if the underlying eyelid issue isn't corrected with surgery.

• Skin Complaints: Their incredibly dense double coat, while beautiful, creates a warm, humid environment close to the skin. This makes them susceptible to allergies, hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), and other skin infections which can be difficult to manage and require ongoing treatment.

Large and Giant Breeds (e.g., Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dogue de Bordeaux)

For these gentle giants, their sheer size is a major factor in their insurance costs, alongside some serious breed-specific conditions.

• The "Size Tax": Every aspect of their veterinary care is more expensive. They need larger doses of every medication, more anaesthetic for surgery, larger and more expensive surgical implants, and bigger hospitalisation kennels. This baseline higher cost for any treatment is factored into their premium.

• Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus): This is a life-threatening emergency common in deep-chested breeds. The stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off the blood supply. It requires immediate, complex, and very expensive emergency surgery to correct, with costs often running from £3,000 to £6,000 or more.

• Heart Conditions: Many giant breeds are predisposed to heart disease. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition where the heart muscle weakens and enlarges, is particularly prevalent in Great Danes and Dobermanns. Diagnosis and ongoing management require a specialist veterinary cardiologist, regular heart scans (echocardiograms), and a cocktail of expensive, lifelong medications.

• Cancers: Sadly, some giant breeds have a higher incidence of certain cancers and a shorter lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dogs, for example, have a tragically high rate of aggressive cancers like histiocytic sarcoma. Rottweilers are prone to bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Treatment can involve surgery, amputation, and chemotherapy, with costs quickly running into many thousands of pounds.

• Joint Issues: The huge strain their weight puts on their skeletons means arthritis, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia are extremely common and can develop at a younger age. Managing this is a lifelong and costly commitment.

Dachshunds

These little dogs with huge personalities have one major, overriding health concern that dramatically increases their insurance risk.

• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): Their long spine and short legs, the very features that define them, put them at exceptionally high risk for spinal problems. IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae can harden, bulge, or burst, pressing on the spinal cord. It's estimated that 1 in 4 Dachshunds will be affected at some point in their life.

• The Cost of IVDD: A mild case might be managed with strict crate rest and strong pain medication, costing several hundred pounds. However, a severe case causes paralysis and is a surgical emergency. The procedure to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord must be done by a specialist veterinary neurologist and can easily cost between £5,000 and £10,000, followed by extensive rehabilitation. The statistical certainty that a large percentage of this breed will face this specific, high-cost condition is the primary reason their insurance is so expensive for such a small dog.

Seeing your beloved breed on this list isn't a cause for panic. It simply means that being prepared with a good quality, comprehensive insurance policy is even more important for giving you peace of mind.

Which Dog Breeds are Usually Cheaper to Insure?

On the other side of the coin, some breeds consistently enjoy lower insurance premiums. This is generally because they have a reputation for robust health, with fewer known hereditary problems. They are often breeds that have been bred for function and hardiness rather than for specific aesthetic looks.

If you’re looking at insurance quotes and wondering which types of dogs fall into the lower-cost brackets, here are some common examples.

Crossbreeds and Mixed Breeds

Often called mongrels, these dogs are consistently the least expensive to insure. The main reason is a genetic principle known as 'hybrid vigour'.

• The Gene Pool: Many hereditary diseases found in purebred dogs are recessive, meaning a puppy needs to inherit a faulty gene from both parents to get the disease. Because purebreds are bred from a limited gene pool, it's more likely that two dogs will carry the same faulty genes. With a mixed-breed dog, the gene pool is vastly wider. The chances of both a Poodle-cross father and a Terrier-mix mother carrying the same specific faulty genes for a particular condition are statistically much, much lower.

• What this means for insurers: It doesn't mean crossbreeds are immune to illness or injury. They can still get arthritis in their old age, develop skin allergies, or break a leg. What it does mean is that they don't have a predictable, high-cost, breed-specific condition (like the Dachshund's IVDD) that insurers know they will have to pay out for time and time again. Their health risks are more general and less concentrated, making them a lower financial risk to the insurer.

Terrier Breeds (e.g., Jack Russell, Border Terrier, Patterdale Terrier)

Many of the smaller, sturdier terrier breeds were developed in the UK for practical work like pest control. Their primary breeding criteria were tenacity, intelligence, and physical resilience.

• Bred for Function: This focus on function meant that health and hardiness were essential traits. As a result, many terrier breeds are structurally sound and don't suffer from the conformational extremes that cause problems in other breeds. They tend to have 'normal' length noses, legs in proportion to their bodies, and well-set eyes.

• Common Issues: They are not entirely without problems. Some smaller terriers can be prone to Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip joint disorder) or wobbly kneecaps (luxating patellas). However, the incidence of these is far lower than the issues in high-risk breeds, and the surgical fixes are generally less complex and costly than spinal or breathing surgery. Their small size also means any medication or treatment they do need is inherently cheaper. Their reputation for being long-lived and generally feisty and healthy makes them a good risk for insurers.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Despite facing an unfair reputation in some quarters over the years, from a purely health perspective, Staffies are known for being a generally robust and healthy breed.

• Good Structural Health: They are a well-proportioned, athletic dog without the extreme features that lead to high-cost health problems. They don't have the flat faces that cause breathing issues, the long backs that lead to spinal disease, or the excessive skin folds that cause infections.

• Known Conditions: They do have a couple of hereditary conditions that responsible breeders now test for: L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA), a neurological disorder, and Hereditary Cataracts (HC). The availability of DNA tests means these conditions are becoming less common. They can also be prone to skin allergies, but while managing allergies can be an ongoing cost, it's rarely a single, catastrophic expense in the way that emergency surgery is. Their overall good health profile makes their premiums very reasonable.

Lurchers and Greyhounds

These sighthounds, bred for speed and function, are often referred to as the '45-mph couch potatoes' and tend to be surprisingly low-cost to insure.

• Athletic but Healthy Build: Their entire physiology is geared towards efficient running, which means they are structurally sound athletes. They don't carry excess weight and are free from the conformational problems that plague many other breeds.

• Specific Vulnerabilities: Their lifestyle and build do have some downsides. Their thin skin and low body fat mean they can suffer from cuts and scrapes more easily, and they can be sensitive to cold. As athletes, they are also prone to foot injuries (corns are common in greyhounds), muscle strains, and broken toes. However, these are typically 'running repairs' that are far less expensive to treat than a major genetic condition.

• What They Avoid: Crucially, they have a low incidence of the really big-ticket hereditary problems like hip dysplasia. While their deep chests do put them at some risk of bloat, their overall profile is one of a healthy breed with predictable, manageable, and less frequent health costs.

Having a dog on this list doesn’t mean you can skip insurance, as any dog can have an accident or develop an unexpected illness. But it does mean you are likely to find the monthly cost of that peace of mind more manageable.

Beyond the Breed: What Else Influences Your Premium?

While your dog's breed is a heavyweight champion when it comes to influencing your insurance premium, it's not the only factor in the ring. Insurers look at a range of other details about you and your dog to build a complete picture of the risk. Understanding these can help you see why your quote is what it is, and where you might have some control.

Your Dog’s Age

Age is a huge factor. You'll often find that premiums follow a curve. Puppies can be slightly more expensive to insure because they are prone to getting into mischief, swallowing things they shouldn't, and having accidents. As they mature into adulthood, say from age two to five, premiums often stabilise and can be at their lowest.

However, once your dog enters their senior years, typically from age seven or eight onwards, you can expect your premiums to rise, often quite significantly, each year. Just like humans, older dogs are more likely to develop age-related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, and cancer. The statistical likelihood of a claim increases with every year, and the premium will rise to reflect this increased risk.

Your Postcode

It might seem strange, but where you live in the UK can have a noticeable impact on your premium. This is because the cost of veterinary care varies dramatically across the country. A vet practice in a high-rent area of Central London or the South East will have much higher overheads than a practice in a rural part of Scotland or Wales. These costs are passed on to the customer. Insurers have data on average vet fees by postcode, and if you live in a more expensive area, your premium will be higher to account for the fact that any potential claim they have to pay out will also be higher.

The Type of Policy You Choose

This is one of the biggest variables and an area where you have a lot of control. There are four main types of pet insurance policy, and the one you choose will drastically affect the price.

• Accident Only: This is the most basic and cheapest level of cover. It will only pay out if your dog is injured in an accident. It offers no cover for illnesses.

• Time-Limited: This policy covers each condition for a set period, typically 12 months from the date the condition first started, or up to a fixed financial limit, whichever is reached first. After that, the condition is excluded, and you will have to pay for any further treatment yourself. These are cheaper than lifetime policies but risky for chronic, long-term conditions.

• Maximum Benefit: This policy provides a fixed amount of money per condition (e.g., £3,000). You can claim for that condition for as long as you need, until the financial pot runs out. Once the limit is reached, that condition is permanently excluded.

• Lifetime: This is the most comprehensive and therefore the most expensive type of cover. It provides a set amount of cover for vet fees each year (e.g., £7,000). This limit resets every year when you renew your policy. This is the best type of policy for managing long-term, chronic illnesses like arthritis or allergies, as you can continue to claim for the same condition year after year.

The Level of Vet Fee Cover

Within each policy type, you can also choose the amount of cover. A lifetime policy with a £2,000 annual limit will be much cheaper than one with a £12,000 limit. You need to balance the cost of the premium against the peace of mind that a higher limit provides.

The Excess

The excess is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of any claim you make. For example, if you have a vet bill of £500 and your excess is £100, you would pay the first £100 and the insurer would pay the remaining £400. You can often choose your excess level. Opting for a higher excess will lower your monthly or annual premium, but you must be sure you can comfortably afford to pay that amount if you need to make a claim.

Neutering or Spaying

Insurers often ask if your dog has been neutered or spayed. A neutered dog can sometimes result in a slightly lower premium. This is because neutering eliminates the risk of certain health problems, such as uterine infections (pyometra) in females and testicular cancer in males, and also prevents any complications associated with pregnancy and birth.

Practical Ways You Can Manage Your Dog Insurance Costs

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the variables? That's completely normal. The good news is that you're not powerless. There are several practical steps you can take to find the right cover at a price that works for you.

Shop Around Every Year

This is the golden rule. Loyalty rarely pays in the insurance world. Your renewal quote from your current provider is almost never the most competitive price you can get. Use comparison websites every single year before your renewal date to see what other insurers are offering. You can often find a very similar level of cover for a much lower price just by switching.

Choose the Right Policy Level for You

Don’t automatically buy the most expensive, all-singing, all-dancing policy if it’s going to stretch your budget. Be realistic about what you need and what you can afford. Perhaps a Maximum Benefit policy with a £4,000 limit per condition is a better fit for your peace of mind and your wallet than a £10,000 Lifetime policy. It's about finding the sweet spot between cover and cost.

Adjust Your Excess

If you're comfortable with the idea of paying a bit more in the event of a claim, increasing your voluntary excess from, say, £100 to £250 can make a real difference to your monthly premium. Just make sure you have the excess amount saved and accessible, so you're not caught out if you do need to make a claim.

Pay Annually if You Can

Most insurers charge interest if you choose to pay your premium in monthly instalments. If you are in a position to pay for the whole year's premium upfront, you can often save a worthwhile amount of money.

Look for Multi-Pet Discounts

If you have more than one pet in your household, whether it's another dog, a cat, or a rabbit, many insurers will offer you a discount (often around 10%) for insuring them all on the same policy. It's always worth checking if this is available.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle for Your Dog

This is a long-term strategy, but it’s the most important one. While you can't prevent hereditary conditions, you can help minimise other health risks. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the strain on their joints, heart, and lungs. Regular dental care can prevent painful and expensive dental disease. Good preventative care, like vaccinations and parasite control, can stop illnesses before they start. A healthy dog is a happy dog, and a healthy dog is less likely to need frequent, expensive trips to the vet.

Keeping Your Dog's Details Handy: The Final Piece of the Puzzle

Going through all this information, comparing policies, and choosing the right cover is a huge act of love and responsibility for your dog. You do it to ensure that if the worst happens, you’re prepared.

But let’s imagine that moment. You're on a walk far from home, or visiting friends, and your dog has an accident. You’re stressed, you’re panicked, and you need to act fast. You need your vet's number. You need to call your insurer's 24/7 emergency line to let them know what's happening. Where are those details? Are they saved in your phone contacts? On a piece of paper in a drawer at home? In an email you received a year ago?

In a moment of crisis, the last thing you want is to be scrambling for crucial information. This is where being organised can make a stressful situation just a little bit more manageable. Having everything you need in one, simple, easy-to-access place can be an absolute lifesaver.

Think about having a simple card in your wallet or purse, right next to your bank cards. A card that has your dog’s name, their microchip number, your vet’s phone number, and just as importantly, your insurance policy number and the emergency claim line. It’s a simple idea, but it provides incredible peace of mind. It means that whether it's you, your partner, or a dog sitter looking after your best friend, the vital information needed in an emergency is always right there, ready to go.

If the idea of having all your dog's essential information in one easy-to-reach place sounds helpful, you might want to learn more about how our Pet ID Cards work. They're designed by dog owners, for dog owners, to make those stressful moments just a little bit easier.

Find out more about our Dog ID Cards here.