The 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Insure in 2026
Not all dog breeds cost the same to insure. If you own a French Bulldog, you’re paying roughly three times what a Whippet owner pays for the same level of coverage. The difference comes down to genetics, size, and how often a breed ends up at the vet.
We ranked the 10 most expensive dog breeds to insure in 2026 based on average monthly premiums across all major providers, and dug into exactly why each breed costs what it does — and whether that higher premium is actually worth paying.
How Insurance Companies Price Breeds
Before we get to the list, it helps to understand why some breeds cost more. Insurance companies don’t set premiums randomly. They use actuarial data — historical records of how often a breed files claims and how much those claims cost. Three factors drive the biggest differences:
- Genetic predispositions: Breeds with known hereditary conditions (heart disease, cancer, hip dysplasia) cost more because claims are predictable and frequent.
- Body size: Larger dogs need more anesthesia, bigger surgical implants, and higher medication doses. A cruciate ligament repair on a Mastiff costs roughly double what the same surgery costs on a Beagle.
- Brachycephalic anatomy: Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs have chronic breathing, eye, and skin issues that generate steady, recurring claims throughout their lives.
- Cancer prevalence: Breeds with high cancer rates have the most expensive individual claims. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation can easily run $5,000-$15,000 per case.
Now, the rankings.
The 10 Most Expensive Breeds to Insure
1. English Bulldog — $50-$100/month | Risk Score 10/10
The English Bulldog holds the top spot by a wide margin. This breed has the highest risk score of any breed we track, and the premiums reflect it.
The list of common health problems reads like a veterinary textbook: brachycephalic airway syndrome (nearly universal), hip dysplasia, cherry eye, entropion, skin fold dermatitis, chronic allergies, and patellar luxation. Many English Bulldogs cannot even be born naturally — over 80% are delivered via C-section due to their large heads and narrow hips.
Breathing correction surgery (soft palate resection, nares widening) costs $2,500-$5,000. Hip dysplasia surgery runs $3,500-$7,000 per hip. Cherry eye repair is $1,000-$2,000. And these aren’t rare events — they’re expected costs of owning this breed.
Is the high premium worth it? Absolutely. English Bulldogs generate average annual claims exceeding $3,500 against premiums of about $900/year. This is the clearest case for insurance of any breed.
2. French Bulldog — $45-$85/month | Risk Score 9/10
The French Bulldog has been one of the most popular breeds in America for several years, which means insurance companies have mountains of claims data — and the data isn’t pretty.
French Bulldogs share the English Bulldog’s breathing problems but add intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) to the mix. IVDD is a spinal condition that can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring emergency surgery costing $6,000-$10,000. Ear infections are also chronic in this breed due to their narrow ear canals, adding $200-$500 per episode in vet costs.
Allergies round out the picture. Many French Bulldogs require ongoing allergy management — prescription food ($80-$150/month), immunotherapy, or medications like Apoquel ($60-$100/month). These costs add up quietly over a lifetime.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. Average annual claims for French Bulldogs top $2,800 with premiums running about $750/year. If your Frenchie develops IVDD, a single surgery could exceed 10 years of premiums.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog — $45-$80/month | Risk Score 9/10
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the most beloved large breeds, known for its gentle temperament and striking tricolor coat. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most cancer-prone breeds in existence.
Studies show that cancer is the leading cause of death in Bernese Mountain Dogs, affecting an estimated 50-60% of the breed. Histiocytic sarcoma is particularly devastating and often appears in middle age. The typical lifespan is just 6-8 years — short for a dog of any size.
Cancer treatment costs vary widely depending on type and stage, but $5,000-$10,000 is common for chemotherapy and surgery. Hip and elbow dysplasia are also prevalent, and joint replacement surgery runs $4,000-$7,000 per joint.
Is the high premium worth it? Given the near-certainty of major health events and the breed’s short lifespan, insurance is practically essential. You’ll likely file significant claims within the first 5-6 years.
4. Great Dane — $40-$75/month | Risk Score 7/10
Great Danes are gentle giants, but their enormous size creates proportionally enormous vet bills. The most serious concern is bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV), a life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists on itself. GDV requires immediate surgery costing $3,000-$7,500, and without it, the condition is fatal within hours.
Preventative gastropexy (surgically tacking the stomach to prevent future bloat) costs $1,500-$3,000 and is recommended for all Great Danes. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is another major concern, requiring lifelong cardiac medication at $50-$200/month plus regular echocardiograms at $400-$600 each.
Joint issues including hip dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are common in puppyhood and adolescence, when the dog’s rapid growth puts enormous stress on developing bones. Wobbler syndrome, a spinal condition causing uncoordinated gait, can require $5,000-$8,000 in surgery.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. A single bloat emergency can cost more than 5 years of premiums. Preventative gastropexy plus the near-certainty of some joint issue makes this breed a strong case for insurance.
5. Mastiff — $40-$70/month | Risk Score 7/10
Mastiffs — whether English Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, or Neapolitan Mastiff — share the giant breed challenges of Great Danes. Bloat, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and heart conditions are the primary concerns.
What sets Mastiffs apart is their sheer size. An adult English Mastiff can weigh 160-230 pounds. This means everything costs more: anesthesia dosing is higher, surgical procedures take longer, and medication quantities are greater. A procedure that might cost $3,000 on a medium-sized dog could run $4,500-$5,500 on a Mastiff simply due to size-related factors.
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears are also common in heavy breeds, with repair surgery (TPLO or TTA) costing $4,000-$6,500 per knee. And many dogs that tear one CCL will eventually tear the other.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. The size multiplier on every single veterinary procedure makes insurance particularly valuable for Mastiff owners.
6. Rottweiler — $38-$65/month | Risk Score 6/10
Rottweilers are powerful, loyal dogs with a moderate-to-high health risk profile. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is the primary concern — this breed has one of the highest rates of bone cancer among all dogs. Treatment typically involves amputation plus chemotherapy, costing $8,000-$12,000 total.
Hip dysplasia is also very common, affecting an estimated 20% of the breed. Elbow dysplasia and aortic stenosis (a heart condition) round out the major health concerns. Many Rottweilers will need at least one major orthopedic or oncological intervention during their lifetime.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes, particularly because of the cancer risk. A single osteosarcoma diagnosis can generate claims exceeding $10,000.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — $35-$65/month | Risk Score 8/10
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the smallest breed on this list and proves that insurance cost isn’t just about body size. Nearly every Cavalier will develop mitral valve disease (MVD), a progressive heart condition where the mitral valve degenerates over time. By age 10, over 90% of Cavaliers have some degree of MVD.
Managing MVD requires regular cardiac monitoring ($300-$600 per echocardiogram, typically annually or more often) plus daily medications that can run $100-$300/month once the disease progresses. Syringomyelia — a painful neurological condition caused by the skull being too small for the brain — is also common and may require $6,000-$10,000 in MRI diagnostics and surgery.
Is the high premium worth it? Given that MVD is virtually guaranteed, yes. The lifetime medication costs alone can exceed $10,000-$20,000.
8. Doberman Pinscher — $35-$60/month | Risk Score 6/10
Doberman Pinschers face a specific and serious threat: dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This heart condition affects an estimated 40-60% of the breed and causes the heart muscle to weaken and enlarge. DCM requires lifelong management with medications like pimobendan, benazepril, and furosemide, costing $100-$250/month combined.
Regular cardiac screening (Holter monitors, echocardiograms) is recommended annually, adding $500-$1,000/year in diagnostic costs. Von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder) and hip dysplasia are additional concerns.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. The probability of DCM is high enough that most Doberman owners will file significant cardiac-related claims.
9. Saint Bernard — $40-$70/month | Risk Score 7/10
Like other giant breeds, Saint Bernards face bloat, hip dysplasia, and osteosarcoma. Their massive size (120-180 pounds) amplifies every veterinary cost. Entropion (eyelids rolling inward) is also common and requires $1,000-$2,000 surgical correction.
Saint Bernards also have a relatively short lifespan of 8-10 years, meaning health problems tend to appear earlier than in smaller breeds. Many Saint Bernard owners find themselves dealing with serious health conditions by age 5-6.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. The combination of giant-breed costs, multiple genetic predispositions, and a compressed timeline of health issues makes insurance a strong financial decision.
10. Golden Retriever — $35-$65/month | Risk Score 7/10
The Golden Retriever rounds out the list, and its inclusion might surprise some people. Goldens are generally thought of as healthy, robust family dogs. But the data tells a different story.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden Retrievers, affecting over 60% of the breed. Hemangiosarcoma (a cancer of the blood vessels) and lymphoma are the most common types. Hemangiosarcoma is particularly dangerous because it often doesn’t show symptoms until it ruptures, creating a surgical emergency costing $3,000-$5,000 — and even then, the prognosis is often poor.
Hip dysplasia affects roughly 20% of Golden Retrievers. Skin allergies and hot spots are chronic issues that, while not catastrophic, generate steady vet visits and medication costs. Heart conditions, particularly subaortic stenosis, add to the health profile.
Is the high premium worth it? Yes. The cancer risk alone justifies the premium. Golden Retriever owners who have insurance when a cancer diagnosis comes are overwhelmingly glad they enrolled.
How to Save Money on Insurance for Expensive Breeds
Higher premiums don’t mean you can’t be smart about costs. Here are the most effective ways to reduce your monthly bill without sacrificing coverage quality:
Enroll as a Puppy
This is the single biggest lever you have. A French Bulldog puppy at 12 weeks might cost $45/month to insure. The same dog at age 4 could cost $70-$85/month. You also lock in coverage before any pre-existing conditions develop, which means everything is covered. Learn more in our guide to pet insurance for puppies.
Increase Your Deductible
Moving from a $250 annual deductible to $500 typically saves 10-15% on premiums. Going to $1,000 can save 20-25%. For expensive breeds, a $500 deductible is usually the sweet spot — you’re insuring against the big stuff, not trying to recoup every minor vet visit.
Focus Your Budget on Accident and Illness Coverage
Wellness add-ons (covering vaccines, dental cleanings, flea prevention) sound appealing, but they rarely make financial sense. You pay roughly what you get back. For expensive breeds, every dollar of your insurance budget should go toward accident and illness coverage, where the potential payouts far exceed what you pay in.
Compare Providers for Your Specific Breed
This is where a lot of owners leave money on the table. Premiums for the same breed can vary by 30-40% between providers. One insurer might specialize in large breeds and offer competitive rates for Great Danes, while another is better for brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs. Our comparison tool lets you see rates from all major providers for any breed side by side.
Consider Breed-Specific Exclusions Carefully
Some lower-cost plans exclude breed-specific conditions. For an English Bulldog, a plan that excludes brachycephalic-related claims is essentially useless. Always verify that the conditions most likely to affect your breed are fully covered before choosing a plan based on price alone.
The Bottom Line
Owning an expensive-to-insure breed doesn’t mean you’ve made a bad choice — it means you need to plan for higher healthcare costs. Every breed on this list is beloved for good reasons: their personality, loyalty, beauty, or temperament. The goal of insurance is to make sure you can afford to give them the medical care they deserve.
If your breed is on this list, start by checking your breed’s page for specific provider recommendations and cost estimates. The earlier you enroll, the more you’ll save over your dog’s lifetime.