Breed-Specific Exclusions in Pet Insurance

Certain dog and cat breeds are known to have elevated health risks — which means some pet insurance policies either exclude those conditions or decline cover entirely for those breeds.

High-risk dog breeds and their issues

• •French Bulldog / English Bulldog: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is almost universally excluded or subject to heavy loading. These breeds also have elevated spinal and skin issues.
• •German Shepherd / Labrador Retriever: Hip dysplasia — a painful degenerative hip condition — is common and often excluded or subject to 6–12 month waiting periods.
• •Dachshund: Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is extremely common in the breed. Treatment can cost $8,000–$15,000. Check exclusions carefully.
• •Great Dane / Bernese Mountain Dog: Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is life-threatening and more common in deep-chested breeds. Surgery can run $5,000–$10,000.
• •Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Mitral valve disease and syringomyelia are breed-specific concerns with significant treatment costs.

What to do if your breed has known issues

• •Read the PDS exclusions list for your specific breed before purchasing
• •Ask the insurer directly: 'Is [breed condition] covered under this policy?'
• •Consider specialist insurers (some offer broader coverage for high-risk breeds at a higher premium)
• •Take out cover as early as possible — before symptoms appear — to minimise pre-existing exclusions