Dog Types That Affect Homeowners Insurance

Some home insurance companies charge dog owners higher rates because of the breed of the family pet. Whether these dogs are more dangerous or if they suffer from a bad reputation is debatable. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance agents rely on public health studies and homeowner insurance claim histories to determine that some breeds are a greater risk. Dog owners and prospective dog owners should be aware of the breeds that could increase their homeowner insurance premiums.

  1. Akita

    • The Akita is a working dog first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1972. It is a powerful dog originally developed in Japan to hunt bears. The AKC states that although this is a quiet breed of dog, it has strong guarding instincts and should be supervised around small children.

    Boxer

    • The American Kennel Club ranks the Boxer as one of the most popular breeds in the United States. This powerful dog is affectionate with owners and a spirited companion to children, which makes this a popular choice as a family pet. The boxer also has a strong instinct to guard his family.

    Chow Chow

    • The Chow Chow was bred by the ancient Chinese for hunting, herding and pulling freight. It was registered by the AKC in 1903. While Chow Chows are affectionate with families, their personalities are compared with cats: independent and not eager to please their owners.

    Doberman Pinscher

    • The Doberman Pinscher is in the working group of dogs. It has good intelligence and is quick to respond to danger. Owners who don't have time to train their dog should shy away from a Pinscher.

    German Shepherd

    • A German Shepherd is a herding dog. It is often seen used in police work. This dog breed was first introduced in 1907 and proves to be a dependable choice as a guard dog or family pet. The dog is very well muscled and agile. Its placement on this list may be because of its size and the fact that this dog is not timid.

    Great Dane

    • The Great Dane is a very large breed with a friendly and energetic temperament. Although this dog's gentle disposition makes it a popular choice as a family pet, it appears on some home insurance carrier's most dangerous dogs list.

    Pit Bull

    • The American Pit Bull is a playful breed with a stout, muscular body. The breed makes the list because of a history of Pit Bulls being bred as fighting dogs. Pit Bulls also have powerful jaws and tenacity. Once this dog locks his jaws on something, it may be difficult to get it to let go.

    Presa Canario

    • The Presa Canario is a medium-sized and powerful dog. It is not registered by the AKC, but fans of the breed say these dogs make excellent guard dogs because of their low, threatening barks.

    Rottweiler

    • The Rottweiler is a working dog with a robust, powerful body. The breed also has a strong guarding instinct and may not be friendly to strangers.

    Siberian Husky

    • The Siberian Husky is a working dog with an agreeable and outgoing personality. Originally bred in Siberia as a sled dog, these dogs retain the love of running and owners should have a fenced yard. This breed also has a powerful hunting instinct, which can put small animals at risk.

    Wolf hybrid

    • Ownership of wolf hybrids, sometimes called wolfdogs, is illegal in some areas because some consider it a dangerous, unpredictable breed.

    Lower Insurance Costs

    • If you are a dog owner, especially of one of these breeds, shop around for home insurance. Ask the insurer if installing a fence to contain the dog would reduce costs. You can also raise your deductible to reduce home insurance costs.