Next time you find yourself asking, ‘how much is that doggy?’ you might want to factor in insurance, with new Compare the Market research revealing a staggering $875 difference between the cheapest and most expensive breeds to insure.
The research, looking at ten of Australia’s most popular breeds, found the French Bulldog was the most expensive to cover with annual premiums for a six-month-old puppy starting from $1,194.
Border Collies were the cheapest breed to cover with options starting from $319 a year – less than $1 a day.
Pet insurers calculate premiums based on a range of factors including health risks, lifespans and historic claims data. Generally, conventional breeds, purebreds and ‘designer dogs’ have well-documented hereditary conditions.
For example, French Bulldogs have a flat-faced anatomy that makes them more prone to severe breathing issues, spinal and joint diseases, and skin and eye complications – with procedures potentially costing hundreds, if not thousands in some cases.
| Dog Breed Type | Daily Cost | Monthly Premium* | Annual Premium* |
| French Bulldog | $3.27 | $99 | $1,194 |
| Labrador | $2.11 | $64 | $771 |
| Golden Retriever | $1.72 | $52 | $628 |
| Dachshund | $1.53 | $46 | $559 |
| German Shepherd | $1.53 | $46 | $559 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | $1.35 | $41 | $494 |
| Maltese Cross | $1.22 | $37 | $445 |
| Groodle | $0.97 | $29 | $355 |
| Cavoodle | $0.94 | $28 | $343 |
| Border Collie | $0.88 | $26 | $319 |
*rounded to lowest dollar amount
Source: Compare the Market
Compare the Market spokeswoman Sarah Orr said the ongoing cost of health bills and potential emergencies was an important consideration to make before purchasing a pet.
“Fancy breeds often fetch bigger price tags, but what a lot of people probably don’t account for is bigger vet bills too – especially in breeds with known hereditary conditions,” Ms Orr said.
“Pet insurance can be a great financial safety net for many pet owners – but of course animals with a higher-risk of potential problems may have to account for that with a higher premium.
“For lower-risk varieties, cover can often be found for less than a cup of coffee (or a puppuccino) each day.
“If you’re deciding what kind of dog may be right for your family, our pet insurance research is a great way to understand some of the potential ongoing costs, and an indication of where insurers see risk.”
When referencing this research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/pet-insurance/information/breeds/
Disclaimers
Pet insurance premiums were quoted through the Compare the Market website – based on a six-month-old male desexed dog with no pre-existing conditions, living in Alderley, QLD, 4051. We took the lowest quoted annual premium and divided this to find the monthly cost.
The quotes had included variables of a $12,000 annual limit, with an 80% benefit percentage and a $200 excess for a next-day (14 July 2026) policy commencement date. The top 10 breeds listed were based on Compare the Market’s pet insurance comparison tool and may vary from other sources.
Quotes are indicative only and can vary based on your pet’s unique circumstances.
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to check for the inclusions, exclusions and restrictions before purchasing and determine if the policy is suitable for you.
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For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | [email protected]
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