What Is the Cost of Pet Insurance by Breed?
One of the factors that can significantly impact the cost of your pet insurance policy is the breed you have. The reason for this is that purebred animals are more likely to have significant health problems that are passed down genetically, which makes them more prone to illnesses. Higher rates of illnesses and genetic conditions cost more to treat, and as a result, your premiums are higher.
For example, brachycephalic breeds have protruding eyes and a higher risk of ocular disease, digestive issues, and breathing problems.
Brachycephalic dogs suffer from corneal ulcers 3 to 4 times more than other breeds.
Mixed breed animals, by comparison, are likely to have cheaper pet insurance costs as long as they don’t have pre-existing health conditions.
The Average Dog Insurance Cost by Breed
The table below provides a list of monthly insurance premiums for several dog breeds, 5 years of age, with a $5,000 maximum coverage amount, $500 deductible, and 80% reimbursement:
Breed |
Monthly Premiums |
Puggle |
$63.17 |
Bulldog mix |
$85.27 |
Labrador Retriever |
$91.61 |
Pug Purebred |
$97.15 |
Bulldog Purebred |
$154.65 |
American Mastiff |
$244.19 |
As you can see in the example above, the average monthly cost for a purebred pug is nearly $100 whereas, by comparison, the mixed puggle breed is only $63 per month. Similarly a purebred Bulldog is nearly $155 but the Bulldog mixes only $85 per month.
The Average Cat Insurance Cost by Breed
The table below provides a list of monthly insurance premiums for several cat breeds, 5 years of age, with a $5,000 maximum coverage amount, $500 deductible, and 80% reimbursement:
Breed |
Monthly Premiums |
Domestic Longhair |
$34.75 |
Siamese |
$37.46 |
Feral |
$37.46 |
Persian |
$44.78 |
Bombay |
$44.78 |
Maine Coon |
$52.26 |
Breed-Specific Health Risks
According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, 19.8% of German shepherds end up diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
In the example above for the dogs, the American Mastiff is one of the most expensive to insure because purebred American Mastiffs have a high risk of several conditions, such as:
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Epilepsy
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hip and eye dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Bloat
Breed-specific health risks associated with dogs and cats increase the likelihood of developing chronic conditions, and certain diseases and known diseases can result in expensive treatment and vet bills, which is why premiums are correspondingly higher.
There are 24 dog breeds with a genetic risk of brachycephalic syndrome.
Below is a short list of some examples of breed-specific health issues that can result in expensive treatment and vet bills:
Breed Type |
Common Health Risks |
German Shepherds/English Shepherds/Retrievers |
Hip Dysplasia |
French Bulldogs/Boston Terriers/English Bulldogs |
Brachycephalic Syndrome |
Persian Cats |
Polycystic kidney disease |
Maine Coons |
Spinal muscular atrophy |