Pedigree dogs are not only more expensive to buy, but also more expensive to insure than their crossbreed friends. This is because they are more prone to developing conditions passed down from their parents. With this in mind finding the right level of dog insurance protection for your pedigree.
Contents of this guide
Like with most things, there are different definitions of a pedigree dog. Some people believe that if the dog’s parents are both from the same breed then the dog will be a pedigree too. Whilst other have a stricter definition which needs the dog to be recognised as a registered pedigree by The Kennel Club.
Similarly you might find some differences between pedigree and purebred dogs. Whilst most insurers use these terms interchangeably there is a subtle difference. A purebred dog is one where both parents are the same breed, whilst pedigree goes slightly further by having the breeding history recorded.
When taking out pet insurance be sure to understand your chosen provider’s definition of pedigree so you can make sure you answer the questions accurately.
Generally speaking most insurers define pedigree dogs as: “Parents of the same breed”
Crossbreeds are defined as: “Parents of 2 different breeds”
Mixed breed or mongrels are defined as: “Parents of 3 or more different breeds”
Standard dog insurance policies cover you against costs of vet treatment for your pedigree dog. They also come with a number of elements to the cover that might be particularly useful for pedigree dog owners.
Pet insurance can be categorised into 5 categories listed below from typically least to most comprehensive:
Due to the cost of pedigree dogs as well as them being a much loved member of the family, lifetime dog insurance is usually the preferred option for the comprehensiveness of the cover which protects against hereditary conditions should they arise.
If those hereditary conditions have already affected your dog, and you wish to protect those, then pre-existing conditions cover could provide the cover you need.
Insurance for pedigree dogs will be more expensive than it is for cross and mixed breeds. This is due to those hereditary conditions that often affect pedigree breeds.
Our latest price check (26/2/2022) has shown that the cheapest lifetime cover on offer is £18.26/month from PetProtect.*
*Cover based on £4,000 cover limit for a 42 month old female Labrador Retriever living in Colchester, Essex.
Aside from the pedigree breed you have other major things that impact the price you receive are:
Nearly all pedigree dogs will in some way be susceptible to hereditary conditions. We’ve taken a look at the UK’s top 10 pedigree dogs and their most common hereditary conditions:
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