Animal Friends data show Labrador as most claimed-for dog breed

Pet insurer Animal Friends has released data from 260,000 claims made last year to help potential dog owners make an informed decision on the breed they choose.

The Breed Health Guide contains claims data on the top 20 most popular dog breeds and the issues most commonly associated with each.

It features breed-specific breakdowns showing the conditions each breed is more likely to make a claim for and exact details of those conditions. The guide also delves into the average costs per condition, enabling owners and would-be-owners to compare the potential vet care costs between the most popular breeds.

According to the Breed Health Guide from Animal Health, the insurer received 31,213 claims for Labradors, primarily for bone joints and mobility issues, but also cancer and tumours, and skin and allergies.

The average cost of treatment for each of these issues was £436, £698 and £285, respectively.

After Labradors, the next most claimed-for breeds were Staffordshire Bull Terriers (13,238), Cocker Spaniel (12,670), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (12,666) and Jack Russel Terrier (9,440).

As well as being able to discover the top 20 breeds that make the most claims and which conditions are claimed for the most, dog owners can access professional veterinary advice from Animal Friends partner Joii Pet Care, with the vets sharing guides on how to prevent and treat conditions affecting the breeds highlighted.

Wes Pearson, managing director for Animal Friends, said: “We’re on a mission to help potential dog owners make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a breed of dog, whether you take home a new puppy or rescue a dog from a shelter. As an organisation which has donated over £4 million to animal charities, we wanted to do our part to help anyone considering a dog to access thorough research on a breed at the click of a button.”

“There is so much information online and it can be difficult to know who to trust, but we hope by releasing our data it’s now easier than ever to see at a glance, the types of health conditions dog breeds can be affected by and the potential costs involved.”

“We’ve also gone one step further, using our partnership with the vets at Joii Pet Care to share ways in which these conditions can be managed and prevented, to help keep dogs and their owners living happy and fulfilled lives together.”

Mark Dugdale