Pet Insurance For German Shepherds in 2024

German Shepherds are smart, loyal and incredibly confident. They are ideal companions and ones who will fiercely protect their humans. Pet insurance for German Shepherds will help you ensure you can offer your pup the absolutely best care should an accident or illness strike.

German Shepherds – A Very Special Breed

Talk about an incredibly intelligent and fearless breed! Is it any wonder why the police and military have partnered with German Shepherds for decades to protect and serve. 

When we say German Shepherds are smart, we really mean it. They are so easily and quickly trained that it generally takes only one or two training sessions for them to recall a new cue.

German Shepherds are also fiercely protective, which is why they make such great family pets. Once they bond with their humans, nothing will break that bond. Heaven help the burglar or uninvited stranger who walks into a home where a German Shepherd lives!

With so many wonderful qualities, it can be easy to overlook the potential for trouble with this breed. Because German Shepherds are working dogs, they can become easily bored if not given a job to do or proper mental and physical stimulation each day. If you think your German Shepherd will be happy snoozing on the sofa all day – think again! A bored shepherd often leads to shredded couches and ripped up carpeting. So be sure to give your pup plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Without proper training, this breed can easily develop some bad behavioral habits that can become frustrating and even dangerous. Food and resource guarding are just a couple of issues pup parents need to be aware of. Remember this is a fearless and headstrong breed. The more time you spend training your Shepherd puppy, the more their natural characteristics can be polished and refined.

Why Pet Insurance for German Shepherds is So Important

Being a purebred dog, German Shepherds are at a higher risk for certain health and genetic conditions. Two of the biggest health issues with this breed are hip dysplasia and cataracts.

An even more serious condition this breed is at risk for developing is gastric dilatation volvulus, more commonly called “bloat.” This describes when a pup’s stomach twists or “flips”, cutting off blood supply. 

Bloat is usually the result of a dog eating too quickly, or drinking too much after they have eaten dry food, or running around after eating. If this describes your pup’s behavior, use a slow feeder bowl to slow them down while they eat. Also, never allow your dog to play wildly or run around right after they have eaten. 

 Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to heart issues such as murmurs, valve disease and enlarged hearts. Being fearless and loving adventure, German Shepherds have also been known to run themselves ragged, which often leads to unexpected injuries like torn cranial cruciate ligaments. 

How Much Do These Health Conditions Cost to Treat?

Embrace pet insurance released some data that illustrates just how much it costs pup parents to treat some of the most common German Shepherd health conditions:

Condition	Risk Profile	Cost
Hip Dysplasia	High	$1,500-$6,000
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Knee/Spine	High	$2,000-$4,000
Bloat	Medium	$1,500-$7,500
Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder	Medium	$2,000-$4,000
Cardiomyopathy	High	$500-$1500
Aortic Stenosis	Medium	$500-$1,500
Elbow Dysplasia	High	$1,500-$4,000
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy	Medium	$200-$1,500
Cataracts	High	$1,500-$5,000
Corneal Dystrophy	High	$300-$3,000
Compulsive Behaviors	High	$500-$3,000
Degenerative Myelopathy	High	$2,000-$4,000
Hemivertebrae	Medium	$2,500-$6,000
Hyperparathyroidism	High	$2,000-$4,000
Perianal Fistula	High	$2,000-$5,000

 

Can you comfortably afford to pay those vet bills? Most Americans don’t have rainy day funds with thousands of dollars in them to be able to afford a sudden and unexpected vet bill in the thousands of dollars. And that is exactly why pet insurance for German SHepherds is so important. 

With their high risks for developing costly, responsible pup parents must ensure they can afford any health and financial curveball that comes their way. But with so many pet insurance providers on the market, it can become overwhelming choosing the best one for your needs and budget.

That’s why Pet Insurance Review was born. We’re pet parents ourselves that believe every furry babe on the planet deserves the very best care. Our website helps educate people on the benefits of pet insurance, as well as offers tools to select the right policy.

Use our comparison tool, find pet insurance by state, or read thousands of reviews left by real pet parents just like you. 

Want to know who the best pet insurance providers are? Here are the top pet insurance providers – in order – based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

 

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	16,627
4.9	Healthy Paws	9,975
4.9	Trupanion	67,550
4.9	Fetch	10,616
4.9	Lemonade	805
4.8	Nationwide	21,404
4.8	Prudent Pet	125
4.7	Hartville	164
4.6	ManyPets	2,332
4.6	Pumpkin	1,425
4.6	Spot	6,829
4.5	ASPCA	11,713
4.5	PetPartners	112
4.4	AKC	891
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pets Best	12,053
4.2	Figo	2,598
4.0	MetLife	625

 

References:

1. https://nleomf.org/the-beginning-of-american-k9-units-a-brief-history/
2. https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/breed/german-shepherd-dog-pet-insurance

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.