Pet insurance by breed
Breed decides what your dog or cat will probably claim for — and which insurers quietly file that condition under “hereditary” and exclude it. Each guide below cites a veterinary or peer-reviewed source for its risk notes; the risk tier is our own editorial read, not an insurer or regulator rating — see our methodology.
Dogs
French Bulldog
High riskBOAS airway surgery, IVDD, and skin-fold dermatitis (roughly 11x the risk of a dog without skin folds). One of the priciest common breeds to insure.
Labrador
ModerateCruciate tears, hip and elbow dysplasia, and a real appetite for eating socks.
German Shepherd
High riskHip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy — check the hereditary wording carefully.
Golden Retriever
ModerateCancer rates well above average, plus the usual joint claims.
Dachshund
High riskIVDD — roughly one in four will have a disc episode. Waiting periods matter here.
Poodle
ModerateAddison's, bloat in standards, and luxating patella in the smaller sizes.
Bulldog
High riskAirway, skin and joints all at once — several insurers load or exclude outright.
Beagle
Low riskEpilepsy and ear infections. Cheap to insure and generally hardy.
Cats
Maine Coon
High riskHCM heart disease and hip dysplasia. Genetic screening history matters to insurers.
Ragdoll
ModerateHCM again, plus bladder stones. Big, gentle, and prone to expensive hearts.
Persian
High riskPolycystic kidney disease and brachycephalic airway trouble.
British Shorthair
ModerateHCM and a strong tendency to obesity-linked claims later in life.
Bengal
ModerateHip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and a higher FIP risk than non-pedigree cats. Active cats, frequent accident claims.
Siamese
ModerateAsthma, dental disease and amyloidosis. Dental cover is the thing to check.
Sphynx
High riskHCM plus skin conditions that need lifelong management. Insure early.
Domestic Shorthair
Low riskThe healthiest cat you can own, statistically. Renal disease is the main late-life claim.