Dog breeds: insurance costs and health risks

Every dog breed page on this site lists the conditions each breed is prone to, what treatment costs, and what a policy would pay, with the national average premium for context. Breeds are listed in American Kennel Club registration order.

One page covers a type rather than a breed: Pit Bull Type Dogs, written plainly as a type because insurers rate the type and owners search the type.

French Bulldog

AKC rank 1. Narrowed airways linked to the short muzzle make breathing noisy and hard, especially in heat or exercise. Top claim risk: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). BOAS corrective surgery typically runs $2,000 to $2,500.

Non-Sporting group. Medium. Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

Labrador Retriever

AKC rank 2. The hip joint forms loosely, leading to arthritis, pain and reduced mobility over time. Top claim risk: Cruciate ligament tears. Surgery to repair one knee typically runs $4,000 to $7,000.

Sporting group. Large. Lifespan 11 to 13 years.

Golden Retriever

AKC rank 3. Cancers including lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are a leading cause of death in the breed. Top claim risk: Cancer. Cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment typically runs $5,000 to $25,000 and up.

Sporting group. Large. Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

German Shepherd Dog

AKC rank 4. Loose hip joints lead to arthritis, pain and difficulty rising and climbing. Top claim risk: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia surgery typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Herding group. Large. Lifespan 7 to 10 years.

Dachshund

AKC rank 5. Discs in the long back can bulge or rupture, causing pain and sometimes paralysis. Top claim risk: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD surgery typically runs $2,000 to $8,000.

Hound group. Medium. Lifespan 12 to 16 years.

Poodle

AKC rank 6. In Standard Poodles the stomach can twist, a life threatening emergency. Top claim risk: Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus). Emergency surgery and treatment for a GDV case, with complications costing more typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Non-Sporting group. Large. Lifespan 10 to 18 years.

Beagle

AKC rank 7. Long floppy ears trap moisture and make ear infections common. Top claim risk: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia surgery typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Hound group. Medium. Lifespan 12 to 15 years.

Rottweiler

AKC rank 8. Bone cancer and other cancers are a major cause of early death in the breed. Top claim risk: Cancer. Cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment typically runs $5,000 to $25,000 and up.

Working group. Giant. Lifespan 9 to 10 years.

German Shorthaired Pointer

AKC rank 9. Loose hip joints lead to arthritis and pain. Top claim risk: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia surgery typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Sporting group. Large. Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

Bulldog

AKC rank 10. Narrowed airways linked to the short muzzle make breathing difficult, especially in heat. Top claim risk: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). BOAS corrective surgery typically runs $2,000 to $2,500.

Non-Sporting group. Medium. Lifespan 8 to 10 years.

Cane Corso

AKC rank 11. Loose hip joints lead to arthritis and pain in this heavy breed. Top claim risk: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia surgery typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Working group. Giant. Lifespan 9 to 12 years.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

AKC rank 12. The mitral heart valve degenerates over time, causing a murmur and eventually heart failure. Top claim risk: Patellar luxation. Surgery by a board certified surgeon, per knee typically runs $2,000 to $3,000.

Toy group. Small. Lifespan 12 to 15 years.

Yorkshire Terrier

AKC rank 13. The kneecap slips out of its groove, a leading orthopaedic problem in the breed. Top claim risk: Patellar luxation. Surgery by a board certified surgeon, per knee typically runs $2,000 to $3,000.

Toy group. Small. Lifespan 11 to 15 years.

Australian Shepherd

AKC rank 14. Loose hip joints lead to arthritis and pain. Top claim risk: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia surgery typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Herding group. Large. Lifespan 12 to 15 years.

Doberman Pinscher

AKC rank 15. The heart muscle weakens and enlarges, leading to heart failure or sudden collapse. Top claim risk: Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus). Emergency surgery and treatment for a GDV case, with complications costing more typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Working group. Giant. Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

AKC rank 16. Discs in the long back can bulge or rupture, causing pain and mobility loss. Top claim risk: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD surgery typically runs $2,000 to $8,000.

Herding group. Medium. Lifespan 12 to 15 years.

Miniature Schnauzer

AKC rank 17. The kneecap slips out of its groove, causing intermittent lameness. Top claim risk: Patellar luxation. Surgery by a board certified surgeon, per knee typically runs $2,000 to $3,000.

Terrier group. Small. Lifespan 12 to 15 years.

Boxer

AKC rank 18. Cancers including mast cell tumours, lymphoma and brain tumours are a leading cause of death. Top claim risk: Cancer. Cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment typically runs $5,000 to $25,000 and up.

Working group. Large. Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

Pomeranian

AKC rank 19. The kneecap slips out of its groove, the breed's most common orthopaedic problem. Top claim risk: Patellar luxation. Surgery by a board certified surgeon, per knee typically runs $2,000 to $3,000.

Toy group. Small. Lifespan 12 to 16 years.

Bernese Mountain Dog

AKC rank 20. Cancers, especially histiocytic sarcoma, are a leading cause of the breed's short lifespan. Top claim risk: Cancer. Cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment typically runs $5,000 to $25,000 and up.

Working group. Giant. Lifespan 7 to 10 years.

Shih Tzu

AKC rank 21. The short muzzle narrows the airways and makes breathing and heat tolerance harder. Top claim risk: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). BOAS corrective surgery typically runs $2,000 to $2,500.

Toy group. Small. Lifespan 10 to 18 years.

Great Dane

AKC rank 22. The stomach fills with gas and twists, a life threatening emergency this breed is well known for. Top claim risk: Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus). Emergency surgery and treatment for a GDV case, with complications costing more typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 and up.

Working group. Giant. Lifespan 7 to 10 years.