Overview
Dog owners are spending more on veterinary care as treatment options expand for chronic conditions such as cancer, cataracts and orthopedic problems.
Pet insurance has become one way for owners to manage those expenses, but premiums vary sharply by breed. Dogs with higher rates of inherited disease, chronic illness or injury tend to cost more to insure, and annual premiums for some breeds exceed $1,400.
Insurify analyzed data from pet insurance partner Fletch to identify the five dog breeds with the highest average insurance costs in the U.S. The national average premium used in the comparison is $700 per year (see What is the Cost of Pet Insurance and What Does the Insurance Policy Cover?).
Key highlights
- U.S. veterinary care costs are up 7% year over year, increasing the potential value of pet insurance for owners facing expensive treatment.
- Mastiffs are the most expensive dog breed to insure in the Insurify analysis, averaging $2,546 per year, or about $212 per month.
- The national average pet insurance premium used in the study is $700 per year. Mastiff coverage costs 264% more than that benchmark.
- All five breeds in the ranking have average annual premiums above $1,400, largely because of inherited conditions, chronic illnesses or higher injury risk.
- Longer-lived breeds can accumulate substantial lifetime insurance costs. Estimated lifetime premiums reach $25,760 for Parson Jack Russell terriers and $20,188 for Pudelpointers.
Vet care prices rose 7% year over year, while ownership changes across veterinary practices have also pushed more clinics into large national groups such as Banfield and BluePearl.
Most expensive dog breeds for pet insurance
| Rank | Dog breed | Average annual premium | Difference vs. $700 national average |
| 1 | Mastiff | $2,546 | 264% |
| 2 | Standard schnauzer | $1,797 | 157% |
| 3 | Parson Jack Russell terrier | $1,610 | 130% |
| 4 | Dogue de Bordeaux | $1,450 | 107% |
| 5 | Pudelpointer | $1,442 | 106% |
1. Mastiff
- Average annual pet insurance premium: $2,546
- Average lifespan: 6-10 years
- Estimated lifetime pet insurance cost: $15,276-$25,460
Mastiffs are the most expensive breed in the analysis to insure, with an average premium of $2,546 per year, or about $212 per month. That is 264% above the $700 national average.
The breed has a relatively short lifespan of six to 10 years and is associated with several costly health problems, including hip dysplasia, cataracts and cancer.
Cataract surgery is an option for many affected dogs, with the source estimating the procedure at $3,0000-$5,000.
Those health risks help explain why insurers price coverage for mastiffs far above the national average. Over the breed’s expected lifespan, estimated insurance spending ranges from $15,276 to $25,460.
2. Standard schnauzer
- Average annual pet insurance premium: $1,797
- Average lifespan: 6-10 years
- Estimated lifetime pet insurance cost: $10,782-$17,970
Standard schnauzers rank second, with pet insurance premiums averaging $1,797 per year. That is 157% higher than the national average.
The breed is associated with genetic conditions including hip dysplasia, eye disorders and pulmonic stenosis, a heart condition. Treatment for these conditions is often expensive, which feeds into the higher premiums charged by pet insurers.
Based on the lifespan figures used by Insurify, lifetime insurance spending is estimated at between $10,782 and $17,970.
3. Parson Jack Russell terrier
- Average annual pet insurance premium: $1,610
- Average lifespan: 13-16 years
- Estimated lifetime pet insurance cost: $20,930-$25,760
Parson Jack Russell terriers cost an average of $1,610 per year to insure, 130% above the national average. Their longer lifespan also pushes estimated lifetime insurance spending above $20,000.
The breed is susceptible to pulmonic stenosis, eye problems and patellar luxation, a knee disorder that sometimes requires surgery. Their high activity level is also associated with greater exposure to injuries.
Some orthopedic disorders are best treated surgically, with many procedures costing $4,000-$8,000. Across a lifespan of 13 to 16 years, estimated insurance spending for the breed ranges from $20,930 to $25,760.
4. Dogue de Bordeaux
- Average annual pet insurance premium: $1,450
- Average lifespan: 5-8 years
- Estimated lifetime pet insurance cost: $7,250-$11,600
The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French mastiff, has an average pet insurance premium of $1,450 per year. That is 107% above the national average, though more than $1,000 below the average premium for mastiffs.
The breed typically lives five to eight years and is prone to health conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis.
The potential treatment costs tied to those conditions contribute to higher insurance pricing. Estimated lifetime pet insurance spending ranges from $7,250 to $11,600.
5. Pudelpointer
- Average annual pet insurance premium: $1,442
- Average lifespan: 14 years
- Estimated lifetime pet insurance cost: $20,188
Pudelpointers round out the five most expensive breeds, with annual premiums averaging $1,442. That is 106% higher than the national average.
The breed is athletic and active, which increases exposure to injury, and it is also associated with epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Stokes said surgery for hip dysplasia costs as much as $8,000 in some cases.
With an average lifespan of 14 years, estimated lifetime pet insurance spending reaches $20,188.
Pet insurance cost by lifespan
| Dog breed | Average lifespan | Estimated lifetime insurance cost |
| Mastiff | 6-10 years | $15,276-$25,460 |
| Standard schnauzer | 6-10 years | $10,782-$17,970 |
| Parson Jack Russell terrier | 13-16 years | $20,930-$25,760 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | 5-8 years | $7,250-$11,600 |
| Pudelpointer | 14 years | $20,188 |
Common health risks affecting pet insurance costs
| Dog breed | Health conditions or risk factors cited |
| Mastiff | Hip dysplasia, cataracts, cancer |
| Standard schnauzer | Hip dysplasia, eye conditions, pulmonic stenosis |
| Parson Jack Russell terrier | Pulmonic stenosis, eye problems, patellar luxation, injury risk |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis |
| Pudelpointer | Epilepsy, hip dysplasia, injury risk |
Why pet insurance costs vary by dog breed
Breed-related health risks are one factor behind premium differences (see What Does Pet Insurance Cover and Not Cover?). Dogs with a higher likelihood of chronic disease, inherited disorders or orthopedic problems generally generate greater expected veterinary costs for insurers.
Buying coverage while a dog is younger usually means a lower starting premium, while rates tend to rise as the animal gets older and its health risks increase.
Prices are up 7% year over year, and more owners are choosing treatment for conditions that previously might have gone untreated because of cost or limited medical options.
Dog owners comparing policies should look at both premiums and coverage limits across insurers. A lower monthly price doesn’t necessarily translate into lower total costs if the policy provides less coverage for expensive treatment.
FAQ
Why are some dog breeds more expensive to insure?
Pet insurers consider the expected cost of future claims. Breeds with higher rates of inherited disease, orthopedic problems, chronic illness or injury tend to generate higher expected veterinary expenses and therefore higher premiums.
What is the most expensive dog breed to insure?
Mastiffs are the most expensive breed in the Insurify analysis, with an average annual pet insurance premium of $2,546. That is 264% above the $700 national average.
How much does pet insurance cost for a standard schnauzer?
The average annual premium for a standard schnauzer is $1,797. Estimated lifetime insurance spending ranges from $10,782 to $17,970 based on the lifespan figures used in the analysis.
Why is pet insurance expensive for Parson Jack Russell terriers?
The breed is associated with pulmonic stenosis, eye conditions and patellar luxation. Its high activity level also raises exposure to injuries, which contributes to an average annual premium of $1,610.
How much does pet insurance cost for a Dogue de Bordeaux?
The average premium is $1,450 per year. With an estimated lifespan of five to eight years, lifetime insurance costs are estimated at $7,250–$11,600.
Does a dog’s age affect pet insurance premiums?
Yes. The source notes that buying coverage when a dog is younger generally results in lower premiums, while costs tend to rise as the dog ages and health risks increase.
How can dog owners reduce pet insurance costs?
Owners can compare premiums, coverage limits and policy terms across multiple insurers. Purchasing coverage while a dog is younger can also reduce the initial premium compared with waiting until later in the dog’s life.
