You’re shopping for a new best friend, and you’ve narrowed it down to two classics: the lovable, goofy English Bulldog or the happy-go-lucky Labrador Retriever. You know a dog is a big commitment in time and love, but you’re also being a responsible future owner and looking into the financial side—specifically, pet insurance.
So, you get a few quotes and notice something immediately: the premium for an English Bulldog is way higher than for a Labrador. Is your quoting tool broken?
Nope. It’s a simple fact of the insurance world: pet insurance for an English Bulldog is almost always more expensive than for a Labrador. It’s not about which dog is “better”; it all comes down to risk.
Why Are English Bulldogs So Expensive to Insure?
When a pet insurance company gives you a quote, they are making a statistical bet. They’re calculating the likelihood that your specific dog (based on breed, age, and location) will need expensive vet care in its lifetime.
Unfortunately for Bulldog lovers, that breed comes with a long list of known, expensive health complications.
1. The Brachycephalic Factor (The Flat Face)
English Bulldogs are a “brachycephalic” (short-snouted) breed. While this gives them their signature look, it also causes a cascade of health issues. As highlighted by the American Kennel Club, this unique head structure can lead to serious problems. The most common is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that can require surgery just to help the dog breathe normally.
2. Skin and Allergy Issues
All those adorable wrinkles are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Bulldogs are famously prone to skin fold dermatitis, skin infections, and both food and environmental allergies. These conditions often require a lifetime of special diets, medicated shampoos, and allergy medications.
3. Joint and Bone Problems
Bulldogs have a unique, heavy, front-loaded build. This, combined with genetics, makes them highly susceptible to orthopedic issues. Statistics from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals show Bulldogs have one of the highest rates of hip dysplasia of any breed. They are also prone to elbow dysplasia and spinal problems.
4. Eye Conditions
Their facial structure also affects their eyes, leading to common problems like “cherry eye” (which requires surgery) and entropion (where the eyelid rolls inward), causing constant irritation.
When an insurer sees “English Bulldog,” they don’t see a cute, stubborn companion; they see a high probability of claims for breathing surgery, skin infections, and joint problems.
What About Labradors?
You might be thinking, “But Labs have health problems, too!” And you’re right. Labradors are not immune to vet bills. They are generally considered a robust and healthy breed, but they have their own set of predispositions:
- Joint Issues: Like Bulldogs, Labs are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Ligament Tears: The classic Labrador injury is a torn cruciate ligament (like an ACL tear in humans), a costly surgical fix.
- Ear Infections: Those big, floppy ears trap moisture, making ear infections common.
- A Knack for Trouble: Labs are infamous for eating things they shouldn’t (socks, rocks, toys), which can lead to emergency surgery for foreign body removal.
The Cost Comparison: Bulldog vs. Lab
So, what’s the difference? While both breeds can have joint issues, the English Bulldog has those plus a high likelihood of respiratory, skin, and eye problems—all of which are chronic or require expensive surgical correction.
Let’s look at the risk profile side-by-side:
| Health Risk Factor | English Bulldog | Labrador Retriever |
| Respiratory (BOAS) | Very High Risk | Very Low Risk |
| Chronic Skin Issues | Very High Risk | Low to Moderate Risk |
| Hip/Elbow Dysplasia | Very High Risk | High Risk |
| Eye Conditions (Chronic) | High Risk | Moderate Risk |
| Emergency Ingestion | Moderate Risk | Very High Risk |
A Labrador might cost you one big emergency bill for eating a corn cob. An English Bulldog is highly likely to cost you multiple, expensive bills for chronic conditions, year after year. As stated in reports from ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, breed-specific health risks are one of the single biggest factors in determining a policy’s premium.
The Bottom Line
While a Labrador is by no means cheap to own or insure, the English Bulldog is in a different league. Their extensive, breed-specific health problems make them one of the most expensive dogs to insure in the United States.
Does this mean you shouldn’t get a Bulldog? Not at all. It just means you need to go in with your eyes open. That higher insurance premium isn’t a “what if”; it’s a “when.” In this case, pet insurance isn’t just a safety net; it’s an essential part of your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is pet insurance for an English Bulldog worth it?
Yes. Because they are almost guaranteed to have significant health issues (like BOAS or skin allergies), pet insurance is highly recommended to offset the high costs of surgery and lifelong care.
Are French Bulldogs also expensive to insure?
Yes, for the same reasons. French Bulldogs are also a brachycephalic breed and are very expensive to insure, often costing even more than English Bulldogs.
Does pet insurance cover hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia?
Most comprehensive pet insurance plans do cover hereditary and congenital conditions (like hip dysplasia) as long as your pet showed no signs or symptoms before the policy started or during the waiting period.
Will my Bulldog’s insurance go up every year?
Yes, you should expect your premium to increase every year. This is true for all breeds as they get older, but the increases can be steeper for breeds with more known health issues.
Can I get insurance for my 5-year-old Bulldog?
You can, but it will be very expensive, and any health issues your dog already has (like allergies or snoring) will be excluded as pre-existing conditions. The best time to insure a Bulldog is as a young puppy.