Dog breeds – tips and advice
All dogs are different, so finding the breed that will fit perfectly into your home and life is really important.
Cost of vet bills
Just like us, dogs can get ill or have an accident every now and then. To give you an idea, between 1 January 2021 to 1 March 2023, these were the most common conditions that MORE THAN dog insurance customers made claims for, as well as the average claim cost including excess. Find out more about what each one entails by clicking on the condition name.
Condition | Number of claims | Average paid out |
---|---|---|
4,989 | £1003 | |
4,463 | £106 | |
3,837 | £537 | |
2,665 | £1192 | |
2,603 | £713 |

Insuring your dog
Planning for the unexpected can seem impossible on the surface, but insuring your four-legged friend can give you added peace of mind should the worse happen.
Our Premier pet insurance has achieved a 5 Star Defaqto Rating. Rest assured that your pets are in safe hands with one of the highest quality offerings on the market.
(Defaqto rating applies to Classic £8,000, Premier £1,000, £2,000, £4,000 & £6,000.)

Pet insurance
It’s important to remember that some breeds are more susceptible to different illnesses than others. The right insurance can help to give you the peace of mind that, whatever happens, you can keep your pet happy and healthy.
Tips and advice if you're thinking of becoming a dog owner
Our in-house vet, Luke Mangion, share his advice for anyone thinking about getting a dog.
Types of dog breeds
Over time, dogs have been bred for different jobs and purposes, such as sheep dogs or racing dogs. Today, dogs are mainly bred to be our pet and furry companion. There are seven main groups of dog breeds.
Pastoral
Pastoral dogs, sometimes known as herding dogs, were originally bred for herding and moving livestock such as sheep and cows.
Characteristics:
- Agility
- Speed
- Loyalty
Pastoral dog breeds:
- Border collie
- German Shepherd


Pastoral
Pastoral dogs, sometimes known as herding dogs, were originally bred for herding and moving livestock such as sheep and cows.
Characteristics:
- Agility
- Speed
- Loyalty
Pastoral dog breeds:
- Border collie
- German Shepherd
Our partnernship with Dogs for Good
We've teamed up with Dogs for Good, a life-changing charity who create partnerships between people living with disabilities and specially trained assistance dogs.
