Small dogs live longer and cost less to insure than large ones, which makes them look like an easy choice. The catch is that the small-breed problems are specific: teeth, kneecaps, windpipes and hearts. This guide compares the real premiums of the most popular small breeds and shows which health problems to match to a policy.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Premium figures come from a MoneyGeek report updated September 17, 2026, and treatment ranges from a BestMoney cost guide. Sources are listed at the end.
Small Breed Premiums Compared
MoneyGeek modeled premiums from 18 U.S. insurers for a standard policy: $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement. Yearly averages for puppies and seniors, cheapest puppy price first:
| Breed | Puppy, per year | Middle-aged, per year | Senior, per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | $269 | $397 | $986 |
| Shih Tzu | $298 | $440 | $1,086 |
| Miniature Poodle | $323 | $479 | $1,197 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | $326 | $486 | $1,224 |
| Maltese | $331 | $496 | $1,332 |
| Toy Poodle | $338 | $502 | $1,337 |
| Pomeranian | $343 | $511 | $1,377 |
| Dachshund | $344 | $510 | $1,205 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $430 | $642 | $1,686 |
| Pug | $440 | $655 | $1,694 |
For comparison, a Labrador puppy is $502 a year and a French Bulldog puppy $715. The cheapest small breed costs about half a Lab, and the most expensive ones in this list, the Cavalier and the Pug, are close to it. Small does not automatically mean cheap: the breeds with flat faces or inherited heart disease cost more.
What Goes Wrong in Small Dogs
| Problem | Breeds most associated | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | Nearly all small breeds, especially Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese | Crowded teeth, tartar, extractions. BestMoney range: about $400 for a cleaning up to $10,000 for serious cases |
| Luxating patella | Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Yorkies, Toy and Miniature Poodles | The kneecap slips out of its groove, from mild to surgical |
| Collapsing trachea | Yorkies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas | Honking cough, breathing difficulty |
| Mitral valve disease | Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and small breeds as they age | Heart valve degeneration, lifelong medication |
| Liver shunt | Yorkshire Terriers | Abnormal blood flow around the liver, often found in puppies |
| Eye problems | Shih Tzus, Pugs, Maltese | Exams from $165, treatment is more |
| Back disease (IVDD) | Dachshunds | BestMoney range: $2,500 to $8,000 |
For breed-by-breed detail, see our guides to Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Pugs and Poodles. The American Kennel Club’s list of the smallest breeds gives general breed traits.
How Small-Breed Policies Differ From Large-Breed Ones
- The limit matters less. A $5,000 annual limit covers most small-dog bills, since surgery costs are lower and anesthesia is cheaper. Large breeds more often need $10,000 or unlimited.
- The exclusions matter more. The common small-dog conditions (teeth, knees, trachea) are exactly the ones where policies add exclusions or waiting periods.
- The policy will be held longer. A small dog lives well into its teens, so the age curve matters. Our guide on why premiums rise with age explains it.
An Example: A Knee and a Dental Year
This is an illustration, not a real claim. A Yorkshire Terrier needs kneecap surgery at $3,200 and a dental extraction procedure at $1,100 in the same year. On the standard plan, if both are covered:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total bills | $4,300 |
| After $500 deductible | $3,800 |
| Insurer pays 80% | $3,040 |
| You pay | $1,260 |
| Puppy-age premium for a Yorkie | $326 |
If the policy excludes the knee because it was noted before enrollment, the insurer pays only the dental part. The same dog, the same year, would see a very different result. This is why enrolling early and reading the exclusions matter more for small breeds than the limit does. How pre-existing conditions work.
How to Choose
- Accident and illness over accident-only. Small dogs’ most common problems are illnesses. Compare the two.
- Look at dental and knee wording first. Ask whether dental illness is covered and whether either knee is treated as pre-existing for the other.
- Do not overpay for a very high limit. A $5,000 to $10,000 limit is enough for most small dogs.
- Consider a wellness add-on only if you will use it. Small dogs need yearly cleanings, but the add-on rarely beats paying yourself. See wellness add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest small breed to insure? In the MoneyGeek data, the Chihuahua at $269 a year for a puppy, followed by the Shih Tzu at $298.
Is insurance worth it for a small dog? Often yes for the first years, since premiums are low. Our worth-it analysis compares insurance with savings.
Do small breeds cost less as seniors? Yes, but the climb is still steep: a senior Chihuahua is 3.7 times the puppy price.
The Bottom Line
Insure a small dog young, choose accident and illness coverage, and read the dental and knee clauses before the price. With puppy premiums from about $269 to $440 a year, the cost is low and the exclusions are what separate a good policy from a poor one.
Sources
- MoneyGeek, Average Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs, updated September 17, 2026.
- BestMoney via MediaFeed, The 17 Most Common Pet Health Issues Will Set You Back This Much.
- American Kennel Club, Smallest dog breeds.
This article is general information, not veterinary or insurance advice. Premiums and policy terms vary by company, location and policy date.