Dog insurance cost by breed
The average US dog insurance policy (accident and illness) cost $836 a year in 2025, about $70 a month, up 11.5% from 2024 (NAPHIA). Breed and age move that number a lot: compare 26 breeds below.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Full disclaimer.
Estimate for your dog
$36 /month typical
Likely range $21–$51 a month ($249–$610 a year)
- Average dog premium at the reference age$52.83/mo
- Age 3 years×0.68
- Breed not listed (all-breed median)×1.00
- National average (no state selected)×1.00
- Accident & illness plan×1.00
Breed not selected or not in our data, so this uses the median of all breeds.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Based on a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. Actual prices depend on the insurer, ZIP code and your pet's history.
Estimated monthly cost by breed
| Breed | Age 3 | Range at 3 | Senior | Main documented risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | $23 | $11–$35 | $82 | Mitral valve disease (heart) |
| Shih Tzu | $26 | $14–$37 | $91 | Corneal ulcers |
| Yorkshire Terrier | $28 | $16–$40 | $102 | Periodontal (dental) disease |
| Pomeranian | $29 | $19–$40 | $115 | Patellar luxation |
| Dachshund | $29 | $16–$43 | $100 | Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) |
| Border Collie | $30 | $16–$44 | $95 | Mitral valve disease (heart) |
| Bichon Frise | $32 | $17–$47 | $120 | Patellar luxation |
| Miniature Schnauzer | $32 | $16–$48 | $113 | Hypothyroidism |
| Beagle | $36 | $21–$50 | $135 | Ear infections (otitis externa) |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $36 | $23–$50 | $141 | Mitral valve disease (heart) |
| Pug | $37 | $22–$52 | $141 | Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) |
| German Shepherd | $40 | $23–$56 | $130 | Elbow dysplasia and elbow joint disease |
| Standard Poodle | $40 | $25–$55 | $135 | Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) |
| Golden Retriever | $41 | $27–$56 | $136 | Cancer |
| Labrador Retriever | $42 | $28–$56 | $130 | Elbow dysplasia and elbow joint disease |
| Boxer | $54 | $22–$87 | $183 | Corneal ulcers |
| French Bulldog | $61 | $38–$83 | $243 | Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) |
| Newfoundland | $62 | $38–$86 | $200 | Entropion and ectropion (eyelid disorders) |
| Rottweiler | $63 | $38–$89 | $215 | Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) |
| English Bulldog | $66 | $46–$86 | $252 | Skin fold dermatitis |
| Great Dane | $67 | $35–$99 | $208 | Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV) |
| Saint Bernard | $70 | $39–$102 | $210 | Entropion and ectropion (eyelid disorders) |
| Bullmastiff | $73 | $47–$98 | $227 | Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $73 | $47–$98 | $240 | Cancer |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | $74 | $47–$101 | $235 | Entropion and ectropion (eyelid disorders) |
| Doberman Pinscher | $77 | $68–$86 | $277 | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) |
Senior = MoneyGeek senior band (8–13 years). The calculator covers 154 dog breeds; this table lists the breeds with their own page (published when we have breed-specific health research to explain the price).
What drives dog insurance prices
- Age. The median dog breed costs $36 a month as a young adult and $129 as a senior in the quote data, 3.6 times as much.
- Breed. At the reference age, prices run from $33 a month (Chihuahua) to $129 (Olde English Bulldogge).
- Location. The average insured pet costs from about 31% less to 18% more than the national average depending on the state. See every state.
- Coverage. Accident-only averages $19 a month and adding a wellness plan takes the average from $61 to $92.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog insurance cost per month?
NAPHIA's 2025 average for an accident and illness policy is $836 a year ($70 a month). In the breed-level quote data we use, the median dog breed costs $36 a month at age 3 and $129 as a senior, for a $500 deductible and $5,000 limit.
What is the cheapest dog breed to insure?
In the quote data, the cheapest breeds at the reference age are Chihuahua ($33/mo), Shih Tzu ($37/mo), Maltipoo ($37/mo). The most expensive are Olde English Bulldogge ($129/mo), Doberman Pinscher ($114/mo), Dogue de Bordeaux ($110/mo).
Is accident-only dog insurance worth it?
It costs much less ($19 vs $61 a month on average in the quote data) but does not cover illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease or heart disease. It can make sense if your budget is tight and you have savings for illness costs.
Sources
- MoneyGeek. How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (10/14/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Best Dog Insurance. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Pet Insurance Methodology (04/24/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), compiled by Willis Towers Watson. State of the Industry Report 2026 (Highlights) (06/21/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
Full list, limitations and how each figure is used: methodology.
Data last reviewed: · How we estimate