The cheapest breeds
| Breed | Typical monthly premium* | Why it's cheap |
|---|---|---|
| English Springer Spaniel | ≈ $34 | Mid-size, generally healthy, long lifespan |
| Yorkshire Terrier (incl. miniature) | ≈ $37 | Tiny — small bodies mean small vet bills |
| Goldendoodle | ≈ $40 | Hybrid vigor dilutes hereditary risks |
| Mixed breeds (general) | Below comparable purebreds | Fewer inherited conditions in claims data |
*Accident & illness coverage, young-to-adult dog, per published 2026 analyses (CBS News/MoneyGeek data). Compare with the overall dog average of ≈$62/month.
What makes a breed cheap to insure
- Small size: Less anesthesia, smaller drug doses, cheaper surgeries — and less weight stressing the joints.
- Clean genetic record: Breeds without signature hereditary conditions (compare a Springer with a French Bulldog's breathing and spine risks) generate fewer big claims.
- Longevity: Breeds that stay healthy into old age keep claim rates — and premiums — down.
- Mixed ancestry: Mutts and hybrids statistically inherit fewer breed-specific conditions.
Same logic in reverse explains the expensive end: flat-faced and giant breeds top the price charts. See costs by breed.
Don't pick a plan on price alone
- A cheap premium with a low annual cap can cost you more in a bad year — check the limit.
- Even "healthy" breeds have accidents: cruciate tears and swallowed objects don't care about genetics.
- Whatever the breed, enrolling young locks in the lowest rates and avoids pre-existing exclusions.
Related guides
Full cost guide • Costs by breed • Senior dog costs • Accident-only costs
Sources
- CBS News — Cheapest dog breeds to insure (MoneyGeek premium data).
- The Zebra — Most and least expensive dog breeds to insure.
- NAPHIA-referenced averages for the all-dogs comparison figure.
Averages differ by methodology; treat them as benchmarks and get your own quotes.