Predisposed health issues could cost dog owners £ 1,144 over a lifetime

Veterinarians have urged dog owners to determine if their pet is at a higher risk for health problems due to its breed, as research has found breed-specific illnesses cost around £ 1,144 over the course of the life of a dog.

Golden retrievers cost their owners the most, with an average claim for a predisposed disease standing at £ 816, according to data from Direct Line Pet Insurance.

Cockers came in second, with each claim typically costing £ 804.

Research found that more than half of vets believed owners weren’t fully aware of their dog’s health issues or the cost of treatment they could cost them.

Some 76 percent of vets said they had seen an increase in the number of breed-related conditions they had treated in the past five years.

With more than four million Britons having bought or rescued a dog since the lockdown began, representing around 24% of all dog owners, vets may soon see an even greater increase in demand for specific complaints to be dealt with. to race.

Veterinarians estimate that about 56% of all illnesses encountered by pets are directly related to their breed.

It does not include other illnesses that dogs may have in their lifetimes.

After golden retrievers and cockers, border collies racked up the highest bills for predisposed conditions, with an average claim of £ 793 and cavalier king charles spaniels at £ 791.

In comparison, the average claim for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is £ 744 and for a Labrador £ 770.

Common ailments in popular breeds include ear infections in Cocker Spaniels, intervertebral disc disease in Daschunds, and hip dysplasia and obesity in Labradors.

Cockapoos will often inherit cataracts and liver disease, while French Bulldogs might end up with breathing problems and joint disorders.

Jack Russell Terriers are the most predisposed to have eye problems and poor coordination

During this time, Staffordshire Bull Terriers often develop skin and eye conditions, and German Shepherds are at risk for skin allergies and hip dysplasia.

Despite this, 20% of dog owners didn’t think it was important for them to know if their dog was susceptible to certain health issues.

Another 19 percent didn’t think they needed to know if the dog’s parents had any known conditions, and 23 percent didn’t think it was important to know the susceptibility to certain behaviors.

However, 36% of dog owners across the country said they had seen their dog suffer from chronic or persistent diseases related to the breed.

Madeline Pike, Veterinarian Nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said, “It is always very exciting to choose a new dog to join your family, but it is important to make sure you choose the best breed for you.

Border collies will often suffer from eye problems and epilepsy which could be costly

“It is essential to check things like the size of the dog, the amount of exercise he needs and the demands of his training, but it is equally important to check the conditions or diseases to which he is predisposed.

“Owning a dog can be expensive, so understanding the issues the dog may face in their lifetime will help you budget and understand what you can do to make sure your dog is as healthy as possible.” .

“Always check the limits or exclusions of conditions before purchasing a pet insurance policy. ”

Direct Line interviewed 2,000 adults and 100 veterinarians across the UK in August this year.

German Shepherds suffer from skin allergies which owners should be aware of before owning

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a popular dog breed that can suffer from skin and eye problems

What you need to know about the health of designer cross breeds

In recent years, there has also been an increase in the popularity of so-called “designer” crosses such as cockerpoos, labradoodles and puggles.

While traditionally cross breeds can be healthier than purebreds, vets warn owners should always be careful when choosing a puppy, as there is a risk that he will inherit predisposed conditions from two different breeds.

Direct Line Pet Insurance has offered the following information on the health of these cross breeds:

• In the beginning, “designer dogs” were a mixture of two dogs with fewer health problems. However, now they are a breed in their own right and therefore have as many, if not more, genetic issues than their ancestors.

• There are breed specific issues in cross breeds as well, so owners should be careful to understand the potential predisposed conditions in the two breeds their dog is from.

• Health issues can arise in both purebred and designer dogs, depending on ancestry and common health issues for the breeds in the “mix”.

• It is not fair for dogs or their owners to recklessly breed animals without research. If proper screening is done, it can greatly improve the lives of properly bred design dogs.

• Only professional dog breeders with sufficient medical knowledge should breed animals with potential health risks, so hire a reputable dog breeder to avoid an avalanche of health issues and expensive trips to the vet.