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Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The UK's most expensive dog breed that costs £16,000 to own
From mountains of dog food to unexpected trips to the vet, looking after man's best friend can often get expensive. But now, experts have revealed the UK's priciest pooch. According to experts, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd dog is the most expensive dog to own, costing £16,250 over its lifetime. On top of an average £511 initial cost, that means this dog would set you back £104 per month for its entire 13-year life expectancy. That includes a whopping £5,789 spent on dog food alone, over nine times more than the £610 cost of feeding a Chihuahua for life. On the other end of the scale, the English Toy Spaniel proves to be the most affordable breed for British dog owners. These small dogs cost £5,163 over their 11-year lifetime, or just £39.12 per month. Tom Sadler, managing director at Pet Insurance Deals, which conducted the analysis, says: 'While cost shouldn't be the only consideration, understanding the long-term financial commitment can help prevent heartbreaking situations where owners must surrender pets they can no longer afford to care for properly.' Size is one of the biggest factors in determining a dog's cost, with seven out of the 10 most expensive breeds weighing over 36 kg (80 lbs). Following the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd dog, which can weigh up to 60 kg (130 lbs), the next most expensive dog is the 27-kilogram Hamiltonstovare, which costs £14,951 over its 15-year lifetime. This was followed by the Estrela Mountain Dog, which weighs up to 50 kg (110 lbs) and costs £14,778.13 to own for life. Smaller dogs, meanwhile, are significantly cheaper to own over their lifetime. The cheapest dog, the English Toy Spaniel, weighs no more than 6.3kg (14 lbs) at the very largest. This is followed by the Japanese Chin, which costs £5,348 over its lifetime and weighs 1.8-3.2 kg (4-7 lbs). Likewise, the Pomeranian costs as little as £5,594, or £33.30 per month, and weighs just 2 kg (4.5 lbs). However, medium breeds offer the best value for money in terms of cost relative to average lifespan. Dogs like the Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog cost £8,676 and £9,328 respectively, but live for 13 to 14 years on average. These cost differences are largely due to the increased cost of feeding significantly larger dogs. A large dog might need to eat between 500 and 600 grams of food per day, compared to the 80 to 100 grams required for small breeds. But some breeds have different dietary requirements, and the costs of feeding can vary significantly between breeds. For example, the central Asian shepherd dog requires £37.67 while the similarly sized Belgian Malinois requires just £25.74 of food every month. Another big factor for the overall cost is grooming, with some dogs requiring frequent professional treatment. Breeds that require specialist treatments like hand-stripping, a method involving pulling dead hair from dense-coated dogs by hand, can cost over £1,740 just to groom. The Afghan Hound, the fourth most expensive breed, costs £1,925 in grooming costs over its lifetime. Insurance costs can also be a big factor in determining how much a dog costs to keep. Since certain breeds are more prone to health conditions or congenital disorders, they are expected to have higher medical costs and larger insurance premiums. For example, the Afghan Hound costs owners £2,227.68 in illness and accident insurance over its lifetime, nearly triple the amount for some smaller breeds. Likewise, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog costs £2,361 to insure over its lifetime compared to just £700.80 for a Kuvasz, despite both being large breeds. These total expenses often dwarf the initial cost of purchasing a dog, which typically ranges from £400 to £500 for pedigree breeds. Mr Sadler says: 'The financial aspect of pet ownership often surprises new dog owners who haven't factored in the long-term costs beyond the initial purchase. 'We recommend budgeting not just for routine expenses but setting aside emergency funds for unexpected veterinary care, which can be substantial regardless of breed.' The most expensive dogs to own in the UK Lifetime price includes initial purchase cost, insurance, food, and grooming expenses. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog: £16,252.53 Hamiltonstovare: £14,951.24 Estrela Mountain Dog: £14,778.13 Afghan Hound: £14,275.83 German Wirehaired Pointer: £14,187.13 Central Asian Shepherd Dog: £14,171.75 Belgian Malinois: £13,795.69 Spanish Mastiff: £13,628.94 Tornjak: £13,062.47 Large Munsterlander: £13,016.76 Irish Setter: £12,974.38 Stabyhoun: £12,966.24 German Longhaired Pointer: £12,869.56 Portuguese Pointer: £12,841.66 Otterhound: £12,774.25 German Shepherd Dog: £12,721.89 Wetterhoun: £12,658.12 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: £12,595.22 Poodle (Standard): £12,563.74 Bouvier des Flandres: £12,559.93 Small Munsterlander: £12,449.58 Boerboel: £12,304.19 Canaan Dog: £12,258.57 Azawakh: £12,245.07 Bohemian Shepherd: £12,237.15 Bloodhound: £12,227.52 Eurasier: £12,136.30 Alaskan Malamute: £12,056.87 Catahoula Leopard Dog: £12,020.81 Beauceron: £12,012.73 Wirehaired Vizsla: £11,983.01 Hokkaido: £11,959.64 Belgian Sheepdog: £11,897.88 Belgian Tervuren: £11,897.88 Saluki: £11,896.22 Australian Shepherd: £11,896.22 Borzoi: £11,875.60 Gordon Setter: £11,873.23 Kuvasz: £11,834.51 Vizsla: £11,766.61 Airedale Terrier: £11,736.68 Norwegian Elkhound: £11,731.22 Harrier: £11,711.72 Briard: £11,671.27 Samoyed: £11,656.14 Irish Red and White Setter: £11,621.79 Rottweiler: £11,618.59 Sloughi: £11,594.58 Entlebucher Mountain Dog: £11,577.47 American Bulldog: £11,547.25
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Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Dog Insurance Prices 2025: Here are the 10 most and least expensive types of dog to insure - including the Flat-Coat Retriever 🐕🦺
We're a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend . Different breeds of dog cost very different amounts of money to insure. | Canva/Getty Images By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health. The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds . Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies. Of course there's also the practicalities of affordability, with different breeds commanding very difference prices. There's always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust . But for those with their heart set on welcoming a new puppy into their home, it's worth looking at how much you are likely to be asked to pay. It's also important to realise that owning a dogs can be an expensive business on a ongoing basis, including paying for crucial insurance to ensure you're not left with a huge vet bill should your pup fall ill. A new study by pet insurance comparison website Pet Insurance Deals used data from Animal Friends to determine which dog breeds command the highest and lowest insurance premiums across more than 150 recognised breeds. Tom Sadler, Managing Director of Pet Insurance Deals , explained the importance of the findings saying: 'With the cost of living still a concern for many households, more people will be basing their decisions based on finances. Unless you're adopting a dog, it's important to know that the initial cost of buying a dog isn't as important as health or dietary care, and often-overlooked expenses like insurance premiums can come as a shock.' So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that will see you paying the biggest - and smallest monthly insurance premiums. 1 . Flat-Coated Retrievers Starting with the most expensive dogs to insure, the Flat-Coated Retrievers had the greatest insurance costs in the study, with the average monthly premium for accident and illness cover reaching £16.03. These gun dogs were first bred in England to retrieve fallen game from both land and water. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dogs resulted in the second highest premiums, coming in at £15.61 per month on average. With £15.58 in monthly premiums. These gentle giants originate in the Bern area of Switzerland and were used to pull carts before becoming adored companion pets. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Great Dane Taking the final spot when it comes to the most expensive dogs to insure is the Great Dane - costing an average of £15.58 per month in premiums. One of the world's two largest breeds of dog (along with the Irish Wolfhound), the Great Dane is a german breeds descended from dogs that were used to hunt bears, wild boar, and deer. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Entlebucher Mountain Dog It costs an average of £15.04 per month to insure a lively Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Like the Bernese Mountain Dog, this is a type of Swiss Montain Dog that was used to herd and guard cattle in the Swiss Alps more commonly now just kept as a family pet. They are also knows as the Entlebucher Sennenhund Entelbucher Cattle Dog. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
Scotsman
21-04-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Does my dog have hay fever? Symptoms, breeds most likely to develop hay fever, and how to treat
Have you noticed your faithful pooch behaving slightly oddy? Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As the weather starts to heat up, we approach a time of year dreaded by allergy sufferers - as the pollen count rockets leading to hay fever. If you've noticed your dog sneezing more than usual then it may be suffering from hay fever. | Canva/Getty Images However, it's not just humans who are affected by seasonal hay fever, it can also impact our furry friends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In order to help keep pets safe and healthy as we head into the warmer weather, experts at the pet accessories shop, Fur King , have offered some guidance on how hay fever can impact dogs and some early warning signs to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. Tom Sadler, the founder of Fur King, explained: 'It's important to note that while dogs can also develop hay fever, their symptoms may take on a slightly different form. While we're mainly affected by irritated eyes and runny noses during hay fever season, seasonal allergies surface in our canine companions in the form of itchy and irritated skin. 'Just like humans, early spring is the time of the year in which dogs are most likely to experience hay fever symptoms. It's also important to note that some dog breeds may be more susceptible to developing hay fever than others, which is why it's important to keep an eye on your canine companion over the next few weeks to ensure that they aren't experiencing any discomfort.' Here's Tom's expert advice on the condition. Which dog breeds are more likely to develop hay fever? Some dog breeds are more vulnerable to the risk of developing seasonal allergies than others. Research has suggested that the following breeds are the most susceptible to developing hay fever: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pit Bull Terrier Bichon Frise Boxer Cocker Spaniel German Shepherd Golden Retriever Dalmatians Irish Setters Schnauzers West Highland Terrier Why are some dog breeds more likely to develop hay fever than others? More research is needed to clarify why some breeds are more susceptible to seasonal allergies than others, but it's widely thought that allergies are more common in purebred dogs. Due to genetic factors and hypersensitive immune systems, some breeds of dogs are simply more vulnerable to allergies than others, which can contribute to the risk of them developing hay fever. For example, West Highland terriers and German Shepherds are often allergic to grass, which makes them more susceptible to developing pollen allergies during early spring. What are some of the symptoms of hay fever in dogs? In order to look after your canine companion as the weather heats up, it's important that you're aware of some of the warning signs of hay fever in dogs so that you know what to look out for. Sneezing : Like humans, excessive sneezing is often a sign that your dog may be struggling with seasonal allergies. : Like humans, excessive sneezing is often a sign that your dog may be struggling with seasonal allergies. Runny nose : Dogs may also suffer from a runny nose if they are struggling with hay fever. : Dogs may also suffer from a runny nose if they are struggling with hay fever. Excessive itching and licking of the skin : This is one of the biggest signs to look out for if you suspect that your dog may have hay fever. Itchy and irritated skin is one of the most common indicators that your dog may have seasonal allergies. : This is one of the biggest signs to look out for if you suspect that your dog may have hay fever. Itchy and irritated skin is one of the most common indicators that your dog may have seasonal allergies. Fur loss : Due to the excessive itching and licking, your dog may experience some fur loss if they are suffering from seasonal allergies. : Due to the excessive itching and licking, your dog may experience some fur loss if they are suffering from seasonal allergies. Red or flaky skin : As allergies can cause extreme irritation to your dog's skin, one of the biggest indicators of hay fever is red or flaky skin. : As allergies can cause extreme irritation to your dog's skin, one of the biggest indicators of hay fever is red or flaky skin. Sore, watery eyes : Like humans, your dog's eyes may appear sore or irritated if they are battling allergies. : Like humans, your dog's eyes may appear sore or irritated if they are battling allergies. Chewing paws : If your dog is experiencing irritation associated with seasonal allergies, they will often start to chew their paws excessively as a way to soothe their irritated skin. : If your dog is experiencing irritation associated with seasonal allergies, they will often start to chew their paws excessively as a way to soothe their irritated skin. Irritability: Thanks to the discomfort associated with allergies, your dog may start exhibiting behavioural changes if they are struggling with hay fever, such as increased irritability. Hay fever can cause your dog to suffer from discomfort and extreme skin irritability, which is why it's so important to keep an eye on their symptoms over the next few weeks. Excessive itching or licking caused by allergies can result in skin breakage, which can then lead your dog to be more vulnerable to developing bacterial infections. If you do suspect your dog of having hay fever, then it's important to start looking into treatment options as soon as possible. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How can you treat hay fever in dogs? While hay fever can't be cured completely, it's important that you're aware of some of the treatment options that can help with your dog's discomfort. If you do suspect your dog is suffering from hay fever or other allergies, then consult with your local vet as soon as possible. Some dogs may be prescribed antihistamines to help them with their allergies, but it's crucial to only give your dog antihistamines if they have been prescribed by a vet, as some human antihistamines can be toxic to dogs. Medicated shampoos and skin sprays can also help to reduce your dog's skin irritation caused by hay fever, as can ear drops or eye drops. In some extreme cases, your dog may be treated with an injection that will help to reduce allergy-related symptoms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's also important to be aware that there are certain preventions that dog owners can take to help prevent your furry friends from developing allergies over the spring. Keeping your dog's coat kept short during the spring and summer months can limit the amount of pollen caught in it, which is why it may be beneficial to start brushing your dog's fur after each walk, especially if you're walking through fields. Washing your dog regularly during the spring and summer months can also help to keep on top of seasonal allergies and reduce skin irritation. If your dog is vulnerable to allergies, wiping down their paws after a walk can also help to reduce the build-up of hay fever symptoms. Remember to walk your dog in the early mornings or evenings when the pollen count is lower if you do suspect that they're struggling with hay fever. Keeping your home dust-free and mowing your garden regularly can also help to prevent the build-up of allergies over the next few months. If you do suspect your dog is struggling with allergies, it may be worth consulting with your local vet to discuss switching your dog's diet as this can also be incredibly beneficial.
