Time to read: 8 mins
As a responsible pet owner, we should try to give our pets the best life possible. Health care is undoubtably included in this. Should your pet get sick, have an accident or injury occur that requires your pet to get treatment, you could be left with an expensive vet bill to pay. It is for this reason that choosing the right pet insurance that suits you and your pets’ needs is important.
Why are Pedigree dogs prone to illnesses?
Pedigree dogs are generally more prone to genetic disorders because through the years they have been bred to have certain traits that will make them more popular. This could be a good-tempered nature, a soft coat, particular eye colour or markings. Breeding to get these desired characteristics has meant that the gene pool has decreased in these breeds. Once this occurs and some dogs in the gene pool have a genetic disorder, the likelihood of the other dogs in the breed being exposed to these problems increases. The good news is that with the advancements of science, many of these disorders can now be screened for in the parents or in the puppies. Some of these include a blood clotting disease (factor VII deficiency), cataracts or a degenerative disease of the spinal cord (degenerative myelopathy).
Buying your pet from a responsible breeder
When purchasing a pedigree puppy finding a responsible breeder is key. Once you’ve found your breeder be sure to ask for the puppy’s medical certificates to see what they have been screened for and what genes they carry. This is not only to make sure that you have bought your puppy from a reputable breeder that has the puppy’s best interests at heart, but that you are fully aware of what your puppy could be exposed to as they get older. When purchasing a pedigree puppy, you are fully entitled to the family history and medical tests of the puppy. This information is rarely passed on. This could be because, either the customer does not know they are entitled to this information or the breeder is not forthcoming with it.
In order to promote responsible breeding, buyers will have to be the driving force. You can do this by insisting that breeders act responsibly and are held accountable for the puppies and the next generation of dog they are breeding.
Why should I get insurance for my Pedigree Dog?
Dogs are naturally inquisitive which could lead to them unintentionally causing harm to themselves or others.
Owning a Pedigree dog can be expensive. They can cost anywhere from £2,000 and up in their first year of ownership alone. Having insurance means that you can be covered up to your policy limits for these treatments. The average cost for an expensive claim is over £1,500. Having pet insurance can help you cover the cost of veterinary treatment, leaving you to concentrate on your dog’s recovery.
Many pedigree dogs, depending on the breed, are prone to certain genetic disorders, illnesses and problems. Some of these include Hip Dysplasia, Cherry Eye or Otitis, just to name a few. It’s important that before you purchase a pedigree dog to be aware of any hereditary or common conditions they suffer from and the potential cost of treatment should your dog become affected. Knowing this information can help you to identify if there is a problem and when it comes to insurance you’ll have a clearer idea of the amount of cover you require. Insuring pedigree dogs from a young age can be beneficial too as these conditions are more likely to be covered.
If you are the proud owner of one of these lovely dog breeds, be sure to have a look at our 6 types of insurance cover to find one that suits you and your pedigree dog.
