“Wait, insurance for my dog? Seriously? That sounds like something that a con artist thought up to scam dumb rich people out of their money.”
Some people may think something along these lines when they first hear about pet insurance. But the more you think about dogs and the cost of keeping them healthy, the less ridiculous it sounds to get your pet insured.
Dog owners can end up spending huge sums of money for vaccinations, illnesses, injuries and in worse cases, rare diseases such as canine distemper. Let’s look at some dog breeds and the health problems they can encounter in their lives. Once you know just how expensive these problems can be, you’ll see the value in getting pet insurance.
1) Basset Hounds
You can’t help but love the droopy faces and big ears on these pooches. Basset Hounds were bred originally as scent hounds—people believe that their ears help guide scents to their noses. Regardless of whether that’s true or a myth, these dogs make wonderful pets (particularly for owners with kids).
Sadly, Basset Hounds can suffer a variety of health problems in their lifetimes. Common issues include:
- Epilepsy
- Ear infections
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Bloat
Typically, Basset Hounds can cost their owners about $1,100 each year.
2) Rottweilers
When people think of big, strong dogs, lots of them will think of Rottweilers. This breed of working dog is exceptionally loyal, which can make them wonderful family pets. They like being active, but unfortunately, this doesn’t stop them from having some expensive health problems. These could include:
- Cataracts
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickness of the heart muscle)
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteochondritis dissecans (shoulder joint disorder)
Rottweilers cost pet owners an average of almost $1,200 each year.
3) English Cocker Spaniels
It may surprise some people to know that English Cocker Spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs. Today, most owners know these dogs to be friendly, faithful family companions.
Unfortunately, this breed is prone to a number of health problems. They often experience what is known as Rage Syndrome, where a dog will lash out blindly, violently and suddenly. In fact, Cocker Spaniels are diagnosed with Rage Syndrome more often than any other breed. Other typical health issues include:
- Cataracts
- Deafness
- Skin allergies
- Benign tumors
On average, English Cocker Spaniels cost owners approximately $1,200 a year.
4) Doberman Pinschers
Doberman Pinschers are large and strong, but they’re also very loyal, very active and very enjoyable to be around. These qualities make it even sadder that Doberman Pinschers can have so many health problems in their lives. This breed commonly experiences:
- Hip dysplasia
- Cervical vertebral instability (compression of the spinal cord)
- Prostate disease
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (heart becomes enlarged, can’t pump blood properly)
- Von Willebrand’s disease (blood clotting disorder)
- Hypothyroidism (thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone; leads to poor metabolism, low energy, hair loss)
- Bloat
Doberman Pinschers typically end up costing owners approximately $1,150 annually.
5) Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very strong, but they’re usually very calm and friendly too. Originally, they were bred to be cart-pullers, watchdogs, cattle herders and companions. However, this breed of working dogs is prone to a number of costly health issues. These include:
- Various types of cancer (osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors)
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Cruciate ligament ruptures
- Cataracts
- Progressive retinal atrophy
On average, it can cost you more than $1,300 per year to maintain the health of Bernese Mountain Dogs.
6) Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands are big, gentle dogs. These pooches were bred to rescue people in Canada who’d fallen into freezing lakes or rivers. They’re loyal and lovable, but they’re predisposed to health problems like:
- Heart attacks
- Epilepsy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bladder stones
It costs an average of almost $1,300 per year to keep Newfoundlands in good health.
7) French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are small domestic dogs who are playful, lively and alert. A Frenchie loves almost everyone he meets and will seek out anyone who is willing to provide a lap. Frenchies are predisposed to health problems like
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Breathing Problems
- Cataracts
- Early Arthritis
- Heart Disease
- Chronic Allergies
8) Weimaraners
Weimaraners are smart, active dogs. They can make wonderful companions for pet owners and their families, but they also tend to suffer from a variety of health issues. Weimaraners typically experience such health problems as:
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Distichiasis (eyelashes that grow in abnormal spots on the eyelid)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (gradual loss of vision, which ends in blindness)
- Entropion (eyelid folds inward, causing eyelashes to scratch the cornea)
On average, pet owners spend about $1,100 each year keeping Weimaraners healthy and happy.
9) Great Danes
Great Danes are one of the biggest, noblest and most loyal pet dogs you’ll find anywhere. And like a lot of larger dog breeds, they’re prone to a number of significant health problems. A particularly common issue for Great Danes is bloat. Their stomachs can get twisted and fill with gas, which can prevent their cardiovascular systems from working properly. Pet owners can spend as much as $6,000 to fix bloat in their Great Danes.
In addition to bloat, Great Danes are genetically predisposed to have congenital heart diseases. They’re so big that their hearts need to work harder to pump blood through their bodies. This has led people to call Great Danes the “Heartbreak Breed.”
10) Akitas
Akitas are big and powerful dogs. Originally bred in Japan, they were originally used both to protect royalty and to hunt. They tracked and killed deer, wild boars and even bears!
This breed can be fierce and intimidating, but they’re very loving and playful when trained properly. Unfortunately, they share with larger dog breed a propensity for significant health problems. Akitas often suffer from:
- Lymphosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Bloat
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cruciate ligament ruptures
- Osteochondritis
- Hypothyroidism
These diseases and disorders can cost owners thousands of dollars.
Lastly, dogs that are not up to date on their shots or do not get their shots at all are more likely to get canine distemper.
Get Insurance for Your Pets
Dogs are wonderful creatures. When you’re the owner of man’s (and woman’s) best friend, you want to do everything you can to make their lives longer and happier. With pet insurance, you’ll be able to care for them without putting too big a dent in your bank account.
Get the best pet insurance for your dogs. They’ll live better, and so will you.
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