Pet insurance can break the bank for many dog owners (Picture: Getty Images)
While pets are worth their weight in gold with how much happiness and love they provide, there are a lot of costs to contend with when it comes to their care.
From food and grooming to emergency healthcare – the price of your four-legged friend can become costly.
And with the ongoing cost of living crisis, this has become more apparent than ever.
One aspect of owning a dog that leaves many struggling to budget is pet insurance, which varies depending on your dog’s breed and individual health.
New research from A-Plan Insurance has revealed the 10 most expensive dog breeds to insure, with the pooch taking the top spot by more than £10 per month.
A spokesperson from A-Plan Insurance has commented on the findings: ‘Across the UK, 10 million households own a dog – they make loyal companions, reduce loneliness, and can generally improve our quality of life. Not to mention, daily dog walks increase physical activity, therefore benefitting our physical health.
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‘However, it’s important to consider the additional costs when owning a dog. While you may have the perfect dog breed in mind, the cost of insurance can vary across breeds due to things like hereditary conditions. So, it’s important to consider the price of insurance and not just the cost of the pet itself to ensure that it won’t set you back too much.’
Here are the most expensive dog breeds to insure based on how much they cost per month and annually – is your pet on the list?
What is the most expensive dog breed to insure?
Taking the title of the most expensive dog breed to insure, according to A-Plan Insurance, is the English Bulldog where you can expect an average insurance cost of £66.50 a month, equating to £798 annually.
The English Bulldog came out as the most expensive breed to insure (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61)
Due to being flat-faced, English Bulldogs suffer from brachycephalic syndrome, which consists of long-term breathing problems as well as difficulty cooling down in warm weather.
Second on the list is the French Bulldog, a descendant of the English Bulldog favoured by many celebrities including David Beckham and Hugh Jackman.
The breed has an average cost of £54.73 each month, making that £656.76 a year.
Not only are French Bulldogs brachycephalic like the English Bulldogs, but they are also prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), which causes problems like back and neck pain and difficulty walking.
Third is the German Shepherd, – insuring this breed will set you back £38.15 a month – or £457.80 a year.
German Shepherds appear in the top three (Picture: Getty Images/500px Prime)
Over the years, German Shepherds have been bred to enhance some features which has led to lots of health issues, Hip Dysplasia being one of these; this condition consists of symptoms like groin pain and limping.
Fourth on the list is the Labrador Retriever which the insurance company found has an average cost of £31.24 a month, making that £374.88 annually.
Labs are high at risk of Arthritis due to having problems with their joints, which can cause limping, a stiff walk, and irritability.
Fifth in the ranking is the Golden Retriever, a well-loved family dog that will set you back £24.30 a month in insurance which equates to £291.60 a year.
This breed has a high chance of developing cancers such as Lymphoma, which includes symptoms like difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
The popular Golden Retriever will set a family back a pretty penny in insurance (Picture: Getty Images)
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in sixth place with an average of £24.16 a month, or £289.92 a year.
Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to Pancreatitis, a disease that can cause repeated vomiting, dehydration, and even a hunched back.
Seventh is the English Springer Spaniel, often cited as a good fit for first-time dog owners which comes with an average insurance bill of £23.20 a month, equating to £278.40 annually.
Springer Spaniels are susceptible to Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a heart condition that can cause shortness of breath, weak limbs, and weight loss.
In eighth place is the Cocker Spaniel which costs an average of £22.72 a month to insure, or £272.64 a year.
Two different breeds of spaniel enter the top 10 (Picture: Getty Images)
Chronic Hepatitis is one of the health issues that many Cocker Spaniels can suffer from, a condition associated with the liver; symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, and even seizures.
Crossbreeds take the ninth spot on the list, with an average insurance cost of £22.67 each month, or £272.04 for the whole year.
While health issues in these dogs can vary depending on what breeds they are a mix of, there’s a risk of conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis which are common across many breeds.
Last on the list is the Border Terrier. This low-maintenance breed will cost an average of £17.84, or £214.08 annually.
Cataracts are common in older Border Terriers, a condition which can cause blindness if left untreated.
The most expensive dog breeds to insure per month
French Bulldog – £54.73 per month
German Shepherd – £38.15 per month
Labrador Retriever – £31.24 per month
Golden Retriever – £24.30 per month
Miniature Schnauzer – £24.16 per month
English Springer Spaniel – £23.20 per month
Cocker Spaniel – £22.72 per month
Crossbreed – £22.67 per month
Border Terrier – £17.84 per month
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Some of the UK’s most popular breeds break the top 10.