Every dog breed has a short list of health problems that shows up in vet records more often than average, and insurers price accordingly. If you are choosing a breed or a policy, knowing that list lets you pick the right coverage and avoid the exclusions that follow. This guide puts the main breeds side by side, with real puppy and senior premiums, and links to a detailed guide for each.
Premium figures come from a MoneyGeek report updated September 17, 2026 (standard policy: $5,000 limit, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement). Treatment ranges come from a BestMoney cost guide. Sources are listed at the end.
Breed by Breed: Conditions and Cost
| Breed | Conditions most associated with it | Puppy per year | Senior per year | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | Dental disease, kneecap problems, collapsing trachea, mitral valve disease | $269 | $986 | Chihuahuas |
| Dachshund | Back disc disease (IVDD), obesity, dental disease | $344 | $1,205 | Dachshunds |
| Poodles and doodles | Varies by size: bloat and Addison’s in Standards, knees and teeth in Toys and Miniatures | $323 to $464 | $1,197 to $1,619 | Poodles and doodles |
| Pug | Airway disease (BOAS), eye injuries, skin folds | $440 | $1,694 | Pugs |
| Golden Retriever | Cancer, hip dysplasia, skin allergies | $487 | $1,636 | Golden Retrievers |
| Labrador Retriever | Hip and elbow dysplasia, swallowed objects, obesity, ear infections | $502 | $1,563 | Labradors |
| German Shepherd | Hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, bloat | $464 | $1,555 | German Shepherds |
| Boxer | Cancer, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia | $637 | $2,192 | Boxers |
| French Bulldog | Airway disease, slipped discs, skin and allergies | $715 | $2,912 | French Bulldogs |
| English Bulldog | Airway disease, skin folds, hip dysplasia, eye conditions | $787 | $3,025 | Bulldogs |
| Great Dane | Bloat, cardiomyopathy, joint disease | $783 | $2,499 | Great Danes and giant breeds |
For more breeds, see our guides to small breeds (ten of them compared) and active working breeds (six compared), and for mixes, mixed-breed dogs.
The Patterns Behind the Table
- Flat-faced breeds are among the costliest in this list. The French Bulldog and English Bulldog top the list because airway surgery and skin problems recur.
- Large breeds cost more because the bills are bigger. Orthopedic surgery and bloat treatment carry larger price tags: bloat $1,500 to $7,500 and hip replacement $5,000 to $15,000, according to BestMoney.
- Small breeds are cheaper, with exceptions. Dental disease and knee problems are common but less costly. See the Chihuahua row.
- Heart and cancer risk raise prices. Boxers and Dobermans are among the more expensive in our comparison for this reason.
How to Use This If Your Dog Is a Mix
Look at the two parent breeds, if you know them, and at the dog’s size. A mix can inherit the risks of either side. For a rescue dog with unknown parentage, use the size category and read our mixed-breed guide. A vet exam before enrolling gives you a clean baseline.
What This Means for the Policy You Choose
- Match the limit to the likely bill. Large breeds usually need higher limits. See our limits guide.
- Check the wording on your breed’s main condition. For example, orthopedic and hereditary clauses for large breeds, dental clauses for small ones.
- Enroll young, before the first symptom is on record. See pre-existing conditions.
- Look at hip and joint risks across breeds in our hip dysplasia guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dog breed is cheapest to insure? Among the breeds above, the Chihuahua at $269 a year for a puppy.
Which is most expensive? Among the breeds in the table, the English Bulldog at $787 a year for a puppy and $3,025 for a senior, followed closely by the Great Dane ($783 for a puppy). In our working breeds guide, the Doberman Pinscher is higher still, at $899 for a puppy.
Does breed risk count as a pre-existing condition? No. Only your own dog’s symptoms or diagnosis do.
The Bottom Line
Breed tells you which conditions to look for and which clauses to read first. The premium gap between breeds is large, from about $269 to $787 a year for a puppy in this table, and it reflects real differences in what goes wrong.
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, dog breed directory.
This article is general information, not veterinary or insurance advice. Premiums and policy terms vary by company, location and policy date.