Office dogs, big bills? New study reveals UK’s priciest pups – and how to keep insurance costs down

Our beloved furry office mates, those champions of companionship, could be costing us more this year as pet insurance premiums set to rise

In January 2025 pet insurer Many Pets surveyed 76 vets across the UK. They found the average cost for a vet consultation stands at £58.29 – up 8% from a year ago.

Many Pets said, “There’s massive variation nationwide. The cheapest price we found for a vet consultation was £29.99 at a practice in North Wales and the most expensive was £76.50 in South Wales.” 

However, a new international study which analysed data from Pet Insurance Deals and Animal Friends across over 150 recognised breeds has shed light on the varying costs of insuring our dogs based on their breed.

For example, the study has found the Flat-Coated Retriever to be the most expensive breed to insure, averaging £16.03 a month for accident and illness cover. That’s well over the average annual pet insurance premium for a pedigree dog, which stands at £162.36, while mongrels average a more palatable £103.91, according to GoCompare.

Crossbreeds fall in between at £131.05 annually, said GoCompare. These figures, based on quoted Lifetime policies for young dogs with a £1,000 cover limit, highlight the baseline expenses many dog owners face.

The Pet Insurance Deals study echoes GoCompare’s findings that certain breeds command significantly higher premiums. Following the Flat-Coated Retriever in the pricier bracket are Bernese Mountain Dogs (£15.61 monthly) and Great Danes (£15.58 monthly).

Interestingly, GoCompare’s research pinpoints even steeper costs for some breeds, with the Dogue de Bordeaux topping their list at a staggering £334.34 annually, followed by French Bulldogs (£327.59) and Shar Peis (£322.01). This difference likely reflects variations in the data analysed and policy types considered across the two studies.

Conversely, just as Pet Insurance Deals identified the Lhasa Apso and Parson Russell Terrier as the most affordable to insure at £4.85 a month, GoCompare’s data highlights breeds such as the Jack Russell (£82.34 annually) and Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) (£92.91 annually) as being easier on the wallet when it comes to insurance.

Why the price hike for some pups?

Both studies underscore that a dog’s breed is a significant factor influencing insurance costs. GoCompare’s research explains that this is “largely due to their size, genetics, and likelihood of developing health conditions.”

Larger breeds, as noted by both reports, often come with higher premiums. GoCompare highlights breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog (£329.29 annually), Dobermann (£317.47 annually), and Great Dane (£304.90 annually) as examples of costlier large breeds to insure, aligning with the trends identified by Pet Insurance Deals.

The increased cost for larger dogs can be attributed to several factors:

• Higher vet costs due to increased medication dosages and more complex surgeries
• Greater potential for third-party liability claims due to their size and strength

When it comes to pedigree dogs, while often sought after as loyal office companions, they tend to have more hereditary health risks, making them pricier to insure. Yet, you also hear that pedigree breeders who do not mix the gene pool from existing family lines also create issues such as hip dysplasia.

GoCompare’s data shows an average annual cost of £162.36 for insuring a pedigree dog compared to £103.91 for a mongrel. However, it’s not all bad news for purebreds, as GoCompare identifies breeds like the Jack Russell and Chihuahua as surprisingly affordable pedigree options.

Tom Sadler, Managing Director of Pet Insurance Deals, commented on the findings, “With the cost of living still a concern for many households, more people will be basing their decisions based on finances. Unless you’re adopting a dog, it’s important to know that the initial cost of buying a dog isn’t as important as health or dietary care, and often-overlooked expenses like insurance premiums can come as a shock.

“In fact, the Flat-Coated Retriever was found to be the most expensive breed to insure, with owners paying around £16.03 each month. This is more than three times the cost of insuring a Lhasa Apso, which averages just £4.85 monthly.

If we compared these two figures based on the average dog lifespan of 10 years, or 120 months, the Lhasa Apso would cost £582 and the Retriever would cost £1,923.60. Figures like these can put into perspective how many things you need to consider to provide the best care to your canine companion.”

Keep your pet costs under control

For freelancers keeping a close eye on their outgoings, the cost of insuring their furry co-worker can be concerning. Here are some strategies, drawing from GoCompare’s advice, to help keep those premiums down:

• Pick the right level of cover: GoCompare says that “accident-only cover and time-limited policies are more affordable but only cover short-term issues.” Consider your dog’s breed and potential health needs when choosing a policy. While “lifetime insurance costs more but helps with long-term conditions,” it might be the most cost-effective in the long run for breeds prone to chronic illnesses.
• Keep your pup in top shape: As GoCompare wisely advises, “a healthy pet is less likely to rack up vet bills.” Regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying on top of preventative care like vaccinations and dental hygiene can all contribute to lower health risks
• Consider increasing your excess: Opting for a higher voluntary excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) can lower your premiums, but ensure it’s an amount you can comfortably afford if needed
• Spay or neuter your pet: Beyond preventing unwanted litters and reducing certain behavioural issues, spaying or neutering can sometimes be a factor in lowering insurance costs
• Compare pet insurance quotes: As GoCompare states, “the easiest way to find a great deal is to compare prices and policies in one place.” Don’t settle for the first quote you receive
• Insure multiple pets: If your freelance life involves more than one furry colleague, explore multi-pet policies, which can sometimes offer discounts. The younger dog will usually cost less, so it’s best to get them covered sooner rather than later

Pet Insurance vs. pet savings account

Deciding whether to invest in pet insurance or rely on a dedicated savings account is a key consideration for budget-conscious freelancers. As GoCompare points out, pet insurance offers “peace of mind” for unexpected vet bills. While saving might seem like a way to avoid monthly premiums, a sudden, large veterinary expense could quickly deplete those funds.

For breeds with higher insurance premiums due to potential health issues, the predictable monthly cost of insurance might be a more financially sound strategy in the long run. Also, some dogs are more accident-prone than others. All you need is one costly incident to drain your savings and go for gold to cover every eventuality when it comes to insurance. Scans can run into the hundreds if not thousands of pounds and the same for emergency surgeries. 

Some packages offer no co-pays, but you will still have to pay upfront up to a certain amount of the bill with most vets before you can claim and get back your money from the insurer. In the past, some vets were happy to arrange the claim directly with the insurer and you could just walk out the door. But too many pet insurers have dragged out payments to vets, and their corporate owners won’t take on that risk. So, that risk has now been shifted to pet owners.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on your individual financial situation, the breed and health of your dog. And your comfort level with costly surprises.

In the meantime, The Freelance Informer invites readers to send in pics of your “office buddies” either in the comments or on our social media post comments. Golden retriever office buddies Coco and Margot have got things started in our story photo.