Wondering why do pet insurance companies ask for the breed of dog?

[scarleta]

What if its a mixed breed? Does it matter ? and why ? Thanks

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I think its probably the same as why car insurance companies ask the make/model of your car...they need to know what they are insuring...

Plus...

Some breeds are more pricey than others.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I suspect it is because certain breeds are prone to more health problems than others and they tend to have wildly different lifespans

 

[strmrdr]

some breeds cost a lot more because of genetic disorders.
A lot of pure breeds are almost certain to need some procedures or have some illness or injury during their lifetime than others.
Also when doing surgery large dogs cost more due to the increased amount of drugs used and the amount of space and time needed for recovery.
For example the cost of lifetime care for a breed prone to kidney or hip trouble can be 100x one not prone to those illnesses.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/22/2008 3:48:14 AM
Author: strmrdr
some breeds cost a lot more because of genetic disorders.
A lot of pure breeds are almost certain to need some procedures or have some illness or injury during their lifetime than others.
Also when doing surgery large dogs cost more due to the increased amount of drugs used and the amount of space and time needed for recovery.
For example the cost of lifetime care for a breed prone to kidney or hip trouble can be 100x one not prone to those illnesses.

Bingo!

 

[Girlrocks]

Date: 10/22/2008 3:48:14 AM
Author: strmrdr
some breeds cost a lot more because of genetic disorders.
A lot of pure breeds are almost certain to need some procedures or have some illness or injury during their lifetime than others.
Also when doing surgery large dogs cost more due to the increased amount of drugs used and the amount of space and time needed for recovery.
For example the cost of lifetime care for a breed prone to kidney or hip trouble can be 100x one not prone to those illnesses.

Exactly...labs are prone to hip problems and cancer, pugs are prone to sinus and nasal problems, dachsunds are prone to back problems...etc.

 

[scarleta]

Thanks to everyone it now makes sense.



strmrdr

"some breeds cost a lot more because of genetic disorders.
A lot of pure breeds are almost certain to need some procedures or have some illness or injury during their lifetime than others.
Also when doing surgery large dogs cost more due to the increased amount of drugs used and the amount of space and time needed for recovery.
For example the cost of lifetime care for a breed prone to kidney or hip trouble can be 100x one not prone to those illnesses."

You so nicely described it.You know so much about everything.I"m jealous.

 

[strmrdr]

Your welcome.

To answer the rest of your question.
With mixed breeds they have different categories for them also depending on the mix.
They are usually cheaper than pure breeds to insure.
They base the premium on size/weight and the vets best guess on type/breed and body type if the mix isn''t known.
Another variable is that some types are much more prone to bglg incidents which are very expensive. (big dog mauls little dog)
That factor alone will raise the rates for Pekingese types as they are very prone to getting mauled because of their temperament.

 

[Dreamgirl]

Because specific breeds usually have the same problems vs. other breeds have a whole other problem.......

 

[bee*]

ditto to what storm said. When I was in college first time around, I used to work in a pet insurance company. Those were the main reasons that we asked that question.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/22/2008 12:31:05 PM
Author: strmrdr
Your welcome.

To answer the rest of your question.
With mixed breeds they have different categories for them also depending on the mix.
They are usually cheaper than pure breeds to insure.
They base the premium on size/weight and the vets best guess on type/breed and body type if the mix isn''t known.
Another variable is that some types are much more prone to bglg incidents which are very expensive. (big dog mauls little dog)
That factor alone will raise the rates for Pekingese types as they are very prone to getting mauled because of their temperament.

I have been DESPERATE for a Peke for years and one day I shall have one!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/22/2008 4:32:40 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/22/2008 12:31:05 PM

I have been DESPERATE for a Peke for years and one day I shall have one!

They are pretty and fun dogs but they do take a lot of training.
Strongly discourage dog aggression for the sake of the dog because they will run into one that wont put up with it eventually often with disastrous results.
A lot of owners think it is funny when a bigger dog backs down from them out of respect for their owner but it isn't so funny when they try it with the wrong dog.
They try it with a pack dog and they are toast.

 

[scarleta]

Many thanks to everyone for their replies.


strmrdr"

"To answer the rest of your question.
With mixed breeds they have different categories for them also depending on the mix.
They are usually cheaper than pure breeds to insure.
They base the premium on size/weight and the vets best guess on type/breed and body type if the mix isn't known.
Another variable is that some types are much more prone to bglg incidents which are very expensive. (big dog mauls little dog)
That factor alone will raise the rates for Pekingese types as they are very prone to getting mauled because of their temperament."

Thanks Storm: you already impressed me on your first reply and now I must say maybe you sell pet insurance? Or used to.YOU know so much about everything.Now I am even more jealous.

Having said that if you had to choose between:
border collie, German shepherd, doberman,Chow chow,pit bull or Labrador mix which combination of above do you think pet insurance would like the most and why and which would not be favorable?
Assuming we are dealing with a totally healthy pet.

No its not a test I am just curious.Thanks

 

[strmrdr]

nope don't sell pet insurance.
I have done computer work and programming in the industry however.

I can tell you the price for specific breeds.
You need to research common health problems for the different breeds.

I urge you to adopt a dog from a shelter/rescue rather than get a pure breed/puppy.

 

[strmrdr]

I will say that some of my favorite dogs are lab mixes.
Tiger was a chow/malamute mix.
He had ear problems otherwise was very healthy until the final year of his life.

 

[Allison D.]

To add to Storm''s point about mixed breeds, they are less prone to temperament troubles that may be inherent in pure-bred dogs.

Mixing bloodlines tends to ''dilute'' some of the genetic problems like dysplasia, etc.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/22/2008 8:35:32 PM
Author: strmrdr
nope don''t sell pet insurance.

I have done computer work and programming in the industry however.


I can tell you the price for specific breeds.

You need to research common health problems for the different breeds.


I urge you to adopt a dog from a shelter/rescue rather than get a pure breed/puppy.

That should say: I cant tell you the price for specific breeds.

 

[scarleta]

Thanks to you all once more.
So Storm not even a tip for me on above mixes? What would you say would be most desirable? as far as insurance is concerned? Just in case you know the answer let me know ok.Thanks

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/22/2008 10:30:16 PM
Author: scarleta
Thanks to you all once more.

So Storm not even a tip for me on above mixes? What would you say would be most desirable? as far as insurance is concerned? Just in case you know the answer let me know ok.Thanks

I don't recall any actual numbers.
just a vague outline that may not be correct..
border collie - prone to injuries because they are very very active dogs, about average on genetic disease. likely around average cost for insurance.
German shepherd - back and hip problems, large dog, likely expensive.
doberman - back and hip problems, genetic illnesses, med/large dog, very expensive.
Chow chow - very expensive - see below..
pit bull - very expensive because of fights, some might not insure them.
Labrador mix - depends on the mix I would guess that the border collie and the lab mix would be the lowest cost for insurance.

"The Chow Chow is the dog breed most affected by elbow dysplasia. It is also prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipping knee caps), thyroid disease, pemphigus foliaceus and ocular disorders such as entropion and ectropion. The risk of such disorders increases exponentially when a Chow is purchased from backyard breeders, pet stores and unscrupulous kennels that do not test their breeding stock for such genetic disorders. Thus, a potential Chow buyer should ask to see all health clearances for the parents of a litter up front. In the United States, these would be clearances from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; other countries will have other health testing schemes, and contacting the national canine registry association will provide that information. Reputable kennels should provide the new owner with a written and signed health warranty as well. Although there is no way to accurately predict the lifespan of an animal, one should expect the healthy Chow to live between 10 to 13 years."

 

[scarleta]

strmrdr Thanks for that.
You are amazing!!!! You left me speechless.How does one know so much? and the other like myself so little?
Anyways I am impressed once more and many thanks Storm.

 

[scarleta]

Date: 10/22/2008 8:35:32 PM
Author: strmrdr
nope don''t sell pet insurance.

I have done computer work and programming in the industry however.


I can tell you the price for specific breeds.

You need to research common health problems for the different breeds.


I urge you to adopt a dog from a shelter/rescue rather than get a pure breed/puppy.

I totally agree adopt from the rescue/ shelter , but still wondering about pedi- spay, pedi - neuter.Some tend to think its not beneficial to a puppy to have it done at such an early age? Some say its the best thing to do?
I don''t know much about it.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/29/2008 10:31:07 PM
Author: scarleta

Date: 10/22/2008 8:35:32 PM

Author: strmrdr

nope don''t sell pet insurance.


I have done computer work and programming in the industry however.



I can tell you the price for specific breeds.


You need to research common health problems for the different breeds.



I urge you to adopt a dog from a shelter/rescue rather than get a pure breed/puppy.

I totally agree adopt from the rescue/ shelter , but still wondering about pedi- spay, pedi - neuter.Some tend to think its not beneficial to a puppy to have it done at such an early age? Some say its the best thing to do?

I don''t know much about it.

I had tiger fixed as soon he was old enough and he lived almost 17 years when the breeds he was a mix of average 10 to 12.
A friend of mine waited until there was a behavioral problem and the problems didn''t go away as it had been ingrained.

I think it should be done as early as possible.

 

[scarleta]

Thanks Storm:
"I think it should be done as early as possible."

I have done a bit on reading on this topic lately and its more or less like asking:
"Is soy milk better than cow''s milk" or " is snow better than rain"

so many opinions discussing closing of the growth plates, urinary incontinence ( the list goes on.)

So would you say as early as 2 months or 6 months?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/29/2008 11:13:09 PM
Author: scarleta
Thanks Storm:

''I think it should be done as early as possible.''


I have done a bit on reading on this topic lately and its more or less like asking:

''Is soy milk better than cow''s milk'' or '' is snow better than rain''


so many opinions discussing closing of the growth plates, urinary incontinence ( the list goes on.)


So would you say as early as 2 months or 6 months?

I don''t recall how many months it was with tiger but I think it was around 3.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/22/2008 5:28:33 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 10/22/2008 4:32:40 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/22/2008 12:31:05 PM

I have been DESPERATE for a Peke for years and one day I shall have one!

They are pretty and fun dogs but they do take a lot of training.
Strongly discourage dog aggression for the sake of the dog because they will run into one that wont put up with it eventually often with disastrous results.
A lot of owners think it is funny when a bigger dog backs down from them out of respect for their owner but it isn''t so funny when they try it with the wrong dog.
They try it with a pack dog and they are toast.

LOL! I know they can be little terrors!! I have had pro dog training when I did my animal care course years ago and try to keep up with it as far as possible, so I will definitely be taking a firm hand when I get one! I have wanted one for YEARS!!

Ever read James Herriot? That is where my fascination for pugs comes from, Mrs Pumphrey''s Tricki Woo!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/30/2008 4:19:06 AM
Author: Lorelei

LOL! I know they can be little terrors!! I have had pro dog training when I did my animal care course years ago and try to keep up with it as far as possible, so I will definitely be taking a firm hand when I get one! I have wanted one for YEARS!!


Ever read James Herriot? That is where my fascination for pugs comes from, Mrs Pumphrey's Tricki Woo!

yep actually reread it just a couple months ago.
It is hilarious how the dog invites him to all the parties... then the pig does... lol
I know a lady that does that in real life,,,, every year she invites about 50 people to her dogs birthday party.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/22/2008 10:30:16 PM
Author: scarleta
Thanks to you all once more.
So Storm not even a tip for me on above mixes? What would you say would be most desirable? as far as insurance is concerned? Just in case you know the answer let me know ok.Thanks

Scarleta, I'm sorry but I have to ask, why choose your dog based on insurance??
It is good to think of these things, but you should just select a breed that you love and that suits your lifestyle, budget, activity etc.
Or , as Strm mentioned even better - adopt one.

I'm sorry, I just don't get the focus on insurance..

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/30/2008 5:16:48 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 10/30/2008 4:19:06 AM
Author: Lorelei

LOL! I know they can be little terrors!! I have had pro dog training when I did my animal care course years ago and try to keep up with it as far as possible, so I will definitely be taking a firm hand when I get one! I have wanted one for YEARS!!


Ever read James Herriot? That is where my fascination for pugs comes from, Mrs Pumphrey's Tricki Woo!

yep actually reread it just a couple months ago.
It is hilarious how the dog invites him to all the parties... then the pig does... lol
I know a lady that does that in real life,,,, every year she invites about 50 people to her dogs birthday party.

Hahaha!! Yes, Nugent the pampered piggy whom Hodgkin the gardener hates LOL!!! And the party invitations -

Tricki Woo requests the pleasure of Uncle Herriot....LOL!!

It just goes to show maybe Mrs Pumphrey's character wasn't as far fetched as one might suppose....Thats hilarious about the lady and her actual doggy birthday parties!

 

[scarleta]

Date: 10/30/2008 5:19:21 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 10/22/2008 10:30:16 PM

Author: scarleta

Thanks to you all once more.

So Storm not even a tip for me on above mixes? What would you say would be most desirable? as far as insurance is concerned? Just in case you know the answer let me know ok.Thanks

Scarleta, I''m sorry but I have to ask, why choose your dog based on insurance??

It is good to think of these things, but you should just select a breed that you love and that suits your lifestyle, budget, activity etc.

Or , as Strm mentioned even better - adopt one.


I''m sorry, I just don''t get the focus on insurance..

I am not choosing a dog based on insurance that would be a bit silly to say the least!!!
I am just wondering about it that''s all.

 

[scarleta]

Storm thanks again for all the info..