If you have a French Bulldog, your pet insurance premium could be 2–3 times higher than what your neighbor pays for their mixed-breed dog. Breed is one of the most significant factors in how insurers set your monthly rate — and it is one of the few variables you can research before requesting your first quote.
This guide breaks down average monthly costs for more than 20 of the most common dog and cat breeds, explains why insurers charge more for certain breeds, and identifies what else moves your premium up or down beyond breed alone. Use the table below to benchmark what you should expect to pay for your specific pet before you compare quotes.
Methodology: Cost estimates below are based on quotes compiled from major pet insurance providers using a standardized baseline: $500 annual deductible, 80% reimbursement rate, $5,000 annual benefit limit, and a mid-country ZIP code for an adult dog or cat aged 2–4 years. Actual quotes may vary 30–50% depending on your location, exact age, and chosen provider.
Average Pet Insurance Cost by Breed — Quick Reference
The table below shows estimated monthly premium ranges for accident & illness coverage and accident-only coverage. Risk level reflects the breed's relative likelihood of generating a major insurance claim.
| Breed | Avg Monthly (Accident & Illness) | Avg Monthly (Accident Only) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | $70–$120/mo | $25–$40/mo | High |
| English Bulldog | $65–$110/mo | $22–$38/mo | High |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $60–$100/mo | $20–$35/mo | High |
| Great Dane | $60–$95/mo | $22–$38/mo | High |
| Rottweiler | $55–$90/mo | $20–$35/mo | High |
| Golden Retriever | $45–$75/mo | $18–$30/mo | Medium-High |
| German Shepherd | $40–$70/mo | $16–$28/mo | Medium |
| Labrador Retriever | $38–$65/mo | $15–$26/mo | Medium |
| Standard Poodle | $35–$60/mo | $14–$24/mo | Low-Medium |
| Beagle | $28–$48/mo | $12–$20/mo | Low |
| Mixed Breed (medium) | $25–$42/mo | $10–$18/mo | Low |
| Maine Coon (cat) | $22–$38/mo | $10–$18/mo | Medium |
| Persian (cat) | $20–$35/mo | $9–$16/mo | Medium |
| Domestic Shorthair (cat) | $12–$22/mo | $6–$12/mo | Low |
Costs assume a $500 annual deductible, 80% reimbursement, $5,000 annual limit, adult dog/cat (2–4 years), and a mid-country ZIP code. Actual quotes may vary 30–50%. Policy terms, available coverage options, and pricing vary by state — review each provider's site for terms applicable to your location. Data compiled from publicly available provider quote tools, reviewed February 2026.
Ready to see actual quotes for your breed?
Compare Quotes for Your BreedWhy Some Breeds Cost More to Insure
Pet insurance pricing is actuarial — insurers set premiums based on the statistical likelihood that a given breed will generate claims, and the expected cost of those claims when they occur. Four factors drive the gap between high-cost and low-cost breeds.
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Many purebred dogs carry a genetic predisposition to expensive health conditions. Hip and elbow dysplasia affect a significant percentage of large breeds. Cardiac disease is well-documented in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Boxers. Certain cancers — including osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumors — are statistically more common in Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Rottweilers. Insurers price these known breed-specific risks into premiums even before your individual dog shows any symptoms.
Size and Procedure Cost
Larger breeds face higher procedure costs for the same condition. An orthopedic surgery that costs $4,000 in a medium-sized dog can cost $6,000–$8,000 in a Great Dane or Saint Bernard, simply because larger bodies require more materials, longer anesthesia time, and greater post-operative care. Size premiums compound the effect of any breed-specific health risks that already exist.
Brachycephalic Breeds
French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers are among the most expensive breeds to insure for a specific reason: brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). This structural condition — caused by the flattened facial anatomy that defines these breeds — can require costly surgical intervention and frequently leads to secondary respiratory, dental, and orthopedic complications. Brachycephalic breeds also face higher anesthesia risk, which drives up the cost of any surgical procedure they undergo regardless of the original indication.
Mixed Breeds and Hybrid Vigor
Mixed-breed dogs are generally cheaper to insure than purebreds of comparable size. The reason is genetic diversity. A broader gene pool reduces the likelihood of inheriting any single breed's predispositions — a phenomenon sometimes called hybrid vigor. For owners with flexibility in breed choice, a mixed-breed dog often represents meaningful long-term savings on both premiums and lifetime veterinary bills.
Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Insure
The following breeds consistently rank among the highest-cost to insure due to well-documented health risks. For each, we've noted the primary conditions driving premium costs.
French Bulldog ($70–$120/mo)
The most expensive commonly insured breed in the U.S. Frenchies face BOAS-related respiratory issues, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), skin fold infections, eye conditions, and a high rate of C-section delivery complications that affect breeding females. Multiple surgical procedures over a lifetime are common for this breed, and many owners will face five-figure lifetime veterinary costs even with routine management of known conditions.
English Bulldog ($65–$110/mo)
English Bulldogs share many of the same brachycephalic conditions as French Bulldogs, with the additional burden of significant joint and mobility problems. Cherry eye, stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and hip dysplasia are all documented breed concerns that translate directly into high lifetime claim costs. Like Frenchies, surgical intervention for airway conditions is common before age 3.
Bernese Mountain Dog ($60–$100/mo)
Berners face an elevated risk of several serious conditions: cancer (histiocytic sarcoma affects this breed at higher rates than almost any other), hip and elbow dysplasia, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat). The breed also has a notably shorter average lifespan of 7–8 years, which compresses the timeline of health events and increases the claim density of active policy years. For Bernese owners, comprehensive coverage is not a nice-to-have — it is a financial necessity.
Great Dane ($60–$95/mo)
Great Danes are prone to bloat — one of the most time-sensitive and expensive veterinary emergencies — as well as dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer. Their giant size means higher baseline procedure costs for any condition they develop. Many Great Dane owners and veterinarians consider prophylactic gastropexy (surgical stomach tacking to prevent life-threatening bloat) a standard recommendation, adding a significant upfront surgical cost before any emergency occurs.
Rottweiler ($55–$90/mo)
Rottweilers have a statistically elevated incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), joint dysplasia, and heart conditions. Treatment for bone cancer typically involves amputation and chemotherapy, with costs commonly exceeding $10,000–$20,000. For a breed with this risk profile, an unlimited-payout policy is worth serious consideration over one with annual benefit caps.
Insuring a high-risk breed? Some providers offer more competitive rates than others for the same coverage level.
See Which Providers Offer the Best Rates for Your BreedMost Affordable Dog Breeds to Insure
These breeds consistently come in at the lower end of the premium range, typically due to fewer documented hereditary conditions, smaller procedure costs, or the genetic diversity benefits of a mixed background.
Mixed Breed — Medium ($25–$42/mo)
Mixed-breed dogs are among the most affordable to insure across the board. Without breed-specific predispositions to price in, insurers treat mixed breeds as lower actuarial risk and pass those savings into premiums. If you are adopting and have flexibility on breed, a mixed-breed dog from a rescue is often the lowest-cost insurance profile you will encounter.
Beagle ($28–$48/mo)
Beagles are a relatively healthy breed with fewer major hereditary conditions than many comparably sized purebreds. They do have some predisposition to ear infections and intervertebral disc disease, but these are manageable conditions that keep premiums in the lower tier. Beagles tend to be long-lived, which keeps their age-adjusted lifetime premium costs reasonable.
Australian Shepherd ($30–$50/mo)
Aussies are an athletic, active breed with good overall health genetics. They can be prone to hip dysplasia and certain hereditary eye conditions, but their generally robust health keeps premiums moderate to low relative to size-equivalent breeds. Working line Aussies with documented health testing tend to have even more favorable risk profiles.
Border Collie ($28–$46/mo)
Border Collies are one of the healthiest purebred breeds by actuarial risk. Their primary known concerns — Collie Eye Anomaly and multidrug sensitivity (MDR1 mutation) — are real but generally lower-cost to manage than the orthopedic, cardiac, or oncological conditions that drive premiums in other breeds. For active owners, Border Collies offer both a rewarding ownership experience and a more manageable insurance bill.
Chihuahua ($22–$38/mo)
Small size generally means lower procedure costs for the same condition, and Chihuahuas benefit from this economics. Their primary health concerns — dental disease and patellar luxation — are real and worth insuring against, but typically less catastrophically expensive than the conditions affecting larger breeds. Dental cleanings and small orthopedic corrections are well within the range of a standard accident-and-illness policy.
What Affects Your Pet Insurance Premium Beyond Breed
Breed is one of the most important rating factors, but it is not the only one. These four variables can move your actual quote significantly above or below the breed average shown in the table above.
Age
Premiums increase meaningfully as your pet ages. For dogs, the steepest increases typically begin around age 7–8; for cats, around age 8–9. Insurers price age actuarially — older pets have higher claim rates and higher average claim costs. A French Bulldog enrolled at age 1 and a French Bulldog enrolled at age 6 will pay very different premiums for identical coverage. Enrolling early and maintaining continuous coverage is almost always the most cost-effective long-term strategy, and conditions that develop after enrollment remain covered even as your pet ages.
Location
Veterinary costs vary significantly by geography. Major metro areas — particularly New York, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles — routinely run 20–40% higher than mid-sized cities or rural markets. Pet insurance premiums track these regional differences in care costs. If you are comparing quotes across providers, always use your actual ZIP code rather than a generic location, as the premium difference can be substantial.
Deductible and Reimbursement Choices
Your deductible and reimbursement percentage are the two most powerful premium dials available to you. Choosing a $1,000 annual deductible instead of $250 can reduce your monthly premium by 25–35%. Dropping from 90% reimbursement to 70% reduces it further still. For lower-risk breeds with good health histories, a higher deductible may be the most efficient configuration. For high-risk breeds or older pets, prioritizing lower out-of-pocket exposure at claims time often makes more financial sense even if the monthly premium is higher.
Coverage Type
Accident-only plans cost 50–70% less than accident-and-illness plans, but they will not cover the conditions responsible for the largest vet bills — cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and orthopedic conditions. For breeds with known health predispositions, accident-only coverage misses the primary risk you are actually trying to hedge. Wellness add-ons typically add $15–$30/month but can return value if you consistently use preventive care. For most dog owners with breeds at elevated risk, accident-and-illness coverage is the configuration worth comparing across providers.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Breed
Enroll Early
The single most impactful thing you can do to control lifetime insurance costs is enroll your pet while they are young and healthy. Premiums are lowest when your pet is a puppy or kitten. Conditions that develop after enrollment remain covered by an active policy. Conditions that pre-date enrollment are permanently excluded. Waiting until your pet has a health event to get insurance is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes pet owners make.
Compare at Least Three Providers
Pricing for equivalent coverage can vary by 30–40% between providers for the same breed. One insurer may underwrite French Bulldogs more aggressively than another; another may offer better rates for senior dogs. The only way to find the best price for your specific pet is to run multiple quotes against the same coverage baseline — identical deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit — and compare them side by side.
Calibrate Your Deductible to Your Breed's Risk Profile
If you have a low-risk breed — a mixed-breed Beagle or a Border Collie — a higher deductible may be a reasonable trade for a lower monthly premium. You are reducing coverage for routine or minor events that are statistically unlikely for your breed. If you have a French Bulldog or a Golden Retriever, that calculus changes: lower out-of-pocket exposure at claims time is likely worth the higher monthly cost given the statistical probability that a significant claim is coming.
Compare quotes specific to your breed, age, and ZIP code before committing to a policy.
Start Comparing Quotes NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do mixed breeds cost less to insure than purebreds?
Yes, generally 20–30% less. Mixed breeds benefit from hybrid vigor — a broader genetic mix that reduces the likelihood of inheriting breed-specific conditions like hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, or BOAS. Insurers price this lower actuarial risk into premiums accordingly. A mixed-breed dog of the same size and age as a purebred French Bulldog will typically pay significantly less for identical coverage.
Does my dog's age affect breed-based pricing?
Yes, and the two factors compound each other. A senior French Bulldog will pay significantly more than a puppy of the same breed — both because the breed carries a higher baseline risk profile and because age increases statistical claim likelihood. This is why enrolling young matters: your base rate is established at enrollment and increases gradually over time, rather than resetting to senior-age pricing if you wait and enroll later.
Can I get insurance for a breed with known health conditions?
Yes. Most pet insurance providers cover dogs from high-risk breeds — including French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Great Danes. The key limitation is that pre-existing conditions are excluded: if your dog has already been diagnosed with a condition before enrollment, that specific condition will not be covered. Hereditary conditions that haven't yet manifested are typically included in coverage under an active policy, which is why early enrollment is so important for high-risk breeds.
Bottom Line
Breed is one of the biggest levers in your pet insurance premium — but it is not the only one. A French Bulldog in Portland at age 2 with a $1,000 deductible will pay a very different rate than the same breed in New York at age 7 with a $250 deductible. The figures in this guide give you a baseline for budgeting; actual quotes are the only way to know what you will pay for your specific pet.
Compare multiple providers against identical coverage before committing. The spread between the lowest and highest quotes for the same dog can be significant — and a lower-cost policy does not always mean worse coverage. The right policy is the one that gives your pet the coverage it needs at the price that makes sense for your budget and risk tolerance.