Working dog breeds experienced more severe injuries and illnesses than their non-working counterparts, according to the pet insurance provider Petplan. The insurer also reported that, based on its claims data, the average paid claim for working dog breeds was 35 percent higher than other breeds.

Of the top 10 claims for working breeds, three were particularly costly: cruciate injuries, cancer, and foreign body ingestions. These had the most expensive average treatment costs at $3,480, $2,033, and $1,755 respectively.

The risk of cruciate injuries in working dogs was 60 percent higher and claims were 65 percent more expensive compared to other dog breeds. The breeds' risk of cancer was 40 percent higher, according to Petplan.

“We think of working dogs as being very trainable and having self-control – certainly more than your typical family Labrador who eats anything in sight,” said Petplan's veterinary manager, Elyse Donnarumma. “But honestly, it makes sense that they are treated so often for foreign body ingestions. Working breed dogs need a job and they need to stay busy and stimulated. When they aren't, well, they come up with their own activities.”

Petplan highlighted some recent examples:

- Beau, a 9-year-old Samoyed from California, who had to have a tennis ball removed endoscopically in April at a cost of $3,209.03;

- Bosley, a 7-year-old Great Dane from Pennsylvania, with $3,448.32 in vet bills last March after he sniffed out and ingested two stuffed animals (a bear and a bee); and

- Lily, a 5-year-old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog from Maryland who ingested a sock in January, which cost $2,312.85 to remedy.

“Our data certainly shows that working dog breeds may have the heart of a lion, but their bodies aren't always so brawny,” said Natasha Ashton, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Petplan. “With all the trouble they can sniff out looking for their next 'job,' it's absolutely essential that pet parents protect working dogs with insurance. We pay a lot of unusual claims for all kinds of dogs and cats, but working breeds seem to take the cake … and sometimes the fork and the napkin, too.”

Victoria Spears

Victoria Spears

Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].

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