Most pet insurance companies offer policies for healthy dogs once they reach the age of eight weeks old. However, some dog breeds carry exceptions with many of the larger pet insurance companies. When adopting a dog, you may want to consider these conditions when choosing the appropriate breed for your budget and lifestyle.
Large Dog Breeds Exceptions: Many companies offer an exclusion for German Shepherds, Great Danes, Rottweilers and Staffordshire Terriers because of their history with hip dysplasia.
Bulldog Issues: Bulldogs have many health problems, thanks to their flat facial structures and breathing issues. They tend to react negatively to warm weather and can have problems sleeping at night. Many bulldogs also suffer from hip dysplasia as they age.
Cocker Spaniel Waiting Period: Many pet insurance companies will not ensure an English Cocker Spaniel until the dog is two years old. This is because this breed of dog has been known to develop Familial Nephropathy, a genetic condition that is normally fatal. The disease tends to make an appearance in the first two years of a Cocker Spaniel’s life, which is why pet insurance owners require the two year waiting period.
Liability Insurance Requirements: According to the Lester Kalmanson Agency, certain dog breeds must have liability insurance before some pet health insurance companies will consider coverage. This list typically includes:
- Akitas
- Boxers
- Chow chows
- Doberman pinschers
- Great Danes
- German shepherds
- Pit bulls
- Siberian huskies
- Presa Canario bulldogs
- Alaska malamutes
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
I have a 11 years old poodle and never have any problems with him. I just feed him natural food such as boiled meat and fresh vegetable.
I have a Cocker. He’s pretty old now. I only feed him dry food till now his teeth can’t chew dry food anymore so I feed him wet food. Cocker is the best!
Great hub…. I have been on both ends, getting homeowners insurance owning several dogs (ours were not on the list, but are just as capable of biting as the others) and being bit by a neighbors dog!
Rottweilers, normally the most dependable of dogs in most situations, are named once again in the same breath as tragedy after the mauling by two rottweilers of ten-year-old Rhianna Kidd. What is it that made these particular dogs, themselves mature family pets in a family with five children, attack seemingly the least objectionable of subjects? Smell perhaps? Shouldn’t we be looking into that? The dogs themselves have subsequently been put down – what for? Wouldn’t it be potentially more beneficial if they were retained for research?