10 most expensive dog breeds for pet insurance in 2024

It’s estimated that the average cost of owning a dog is at least £5,200. However, some breeds cost more than others. 

At the upper end of the scale, the cost could be a minimum of £15,700 over their whole lifetime, according to the pet charity PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals).

Large dogs that are more likely to get ill or injured can prove particularly painful to their owners' wallets.

Pet insurance can help handle these costs, but the premium you pay is influenced by the breed you own, among other factors.

Here we reveal the 10 most expensive breeds to own – plus tips to bring the cost of insurance down, if you own one of them.

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The top 10 most expensive dog breeds to insure

Research from GoCompare shows the top 10 most expensive dog breeds to insure in 2024, based on an average cost of a lifetime insurance policy per year. It’s worth noting that all breeds listed here are pedigree.

1. Dogue de Bordeaux (pictured above) – £973
2. Cane corso – £943
3. Newfoundland – £898
4. Chow chow – £840
5. Shar Pei – £834
6. Bernese mountain dog – £831
7. Rottweiler – £819
8. French bulldog – £812
9. St Bernard – £804
10. Great Dane – £797

Why do larger breeds cost more?

Ceri McMillan, pet insurance spokesperson at GoCompare, says: 'Our data shows that pedigree breeds dominate for both dogs and cats when it comes to pet insurance. 

'For dogs, larger breeds tend to cost more to insure for several reasons. Veterinary costs will be more should your pet need treatment as they will need larger doses of medication. 

'Other large dogs, like Great Danes, can also inherit genetic conditions with their hips and backs due to their weight and size which leads to higher insurance costs.'

The cost of your policy will also be influenced by your pet's age, health, gender, treatment history, place of residence and chosen policy type. 

It’s best to look at different insurance options to find the one that fits your pet’s needs best. Make sure to check what your pet is covered for, and not just how much it costs. 

Use documents like the Insurance Product Information Document to help make the terms easier to understand.

• Find out more: Best dog insurance 2024 

What can I do to lower my pet insurance premiums? 

Here are some ways you can lower pet insurance costs and keep premiums low while ensuring your pets are well covered:

• Comparison sites and contact directly: use trusted price comparison websites like Confused.com and Compare the Market, and also contact insurers directly for accurate quotes.
• Time it right: get pet insurance when pets are healthy to maximise coverage and prevent pre-existing conditions from being excluded.
• Pay annually: pay annually instead of monthly to save on extra fees, and consider using interest-free credit cards for spreading out payments if needed.
• Jabs: stay up-to-date with vaccinations and preventive care to avoid expensive illnesses or injuries.

• Negotiate for better deals: compare quotes and use better offers to bargain with insurers, and be open to switching providers for better rates.
• Change coverage as needed: adjust excess levels to match what you can afford, and consider bundling coverage for multiple pets for potential discounts.
• Look for extra savings: use cashback websites like Quidco and TopCashback to earn rewards, and make sure the cashback offers real savings by comparing overall costs and coverage.

Find out more: how to get cheap pet insurance

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