Breed cost
Pet insurance cost for Labs, Goldens, and German Shepherds
By Bradley Jacobs · Published Oct 26, 2026 · Last checked Oct 26, 2026
These three big breeds cost about the same to insure when young. Prices climb fast after age 4. What is already in the vet notes matters more than the breed.
The short answer
- Only Lemonade publishes breed prices on its own pages. We use those.
- At age 1, all three run about $45 to $55 a month on Lemonade's averages.
- By age 7, they run about $80 to $90.
- Hips, elbows, knees, and cancer are the big risks for all three.
- Anything a vet already wrote down is usually not covered. Read what counts as pre-existing.
Prices by age (Lemonade)
These are Lemonade's own average monthly prices. Lemonade's pages were updated in October 2026. They are not your quote.
| Age | Labrador Retriever | Golden Retriever | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45 to $50 | $50 to $55 | $45 to $50 |
| 2 | $45 to $50 | $50 to $55 | $45 to $50 |
| 3 | $50 to $55 | $50 to $55 | $45 to $50 |
| 4 | $50 to $55 | $55 to $60 | $50 to $55 |
| 5 | $60 to $65 | $65 to $70 | $60 to $65 |
| 6 | $70 to $75 | $75 to $80 | $65 to $70 |
| 7 | $85 to $90 | $85 to $90 | $80 to $85 |
Other carriers do not post breed prices on the pages we read. For Embrace, Fetch, Pets Best, Trupanion, and Spot, verify on the quote form.
Labrador Retriever
Labs love food and being active. Lemonade's list leans on joints, weight, and stomach emergencies.
Lemonade's average monthly price: about $45 to $50 at age 1 and $85 to $90 at age 7. Full list in the price table.
Problems Lemonade lists for this breed, besides the shared ones below:
| Health problem | Lemonade's average treatment cost |
|---|---|
| Bloat (twisted stomach, an emergency) | $2,500 to $7,500 |
| Cataracts (cloudy eyes) | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Being overweight | $250 to $800 |
Source: Lemonade's Labrador Retriever page. Averages, not your bill.
Golden Retriever
Goldens cost a little more than Labs at most ages on Lemonade's averages. Lemonade points to joints, cancer, and heart problems as they age.
Lemonade's average monthly price: about $50 to $55 at age 1 and $85 to $90 at age 7. Full list in the price table.
Problems Lemonade lists for this breed, besides the shared ones below:
| Health problem | Lemonade's average treatment cost |
|---|---|
| Enlarged, weak heart | $600 to $2,500 |
| Cataracts (cloudy eyes) | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Being overweight | $250 to $800 |
Source: Lemonade's Golden Retriever page. Averages, not your bill.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a little cheaper than Goldens on Lemonade's averages. Lemonade points to joints, backs, and stomach problems.
Lemonade's average monthly price: about $45 to $50 at age 1 and $80 to $85 at age 7. Full list in the price table.
Problems Lemonade lists for this breed, besides the shared ones below:
| Health problem | Lemonade's average treatment cost |
|---|---|
| Back disc disease (IVDD) | $2,500 to $8,000 |
| Bloat (twisted stomach, an emergency) | $2,500 to $7,500 |
| Pancreatitis (sore, swollen pancreas) | $500 to $2,500 |
Source: Lemonade's German Shepherd page. Averages, not your bill.
A 9-year-old with sore hips in the notes
Say your 9-year-old Golden had a vet note last year about stiff hips.
- You can often still get a quote. Some carriers take new dogs up to 14, and some list no top age.
- Hip care will likely be left out, because the signs came first.
- Many policies treat both hips as a pair, so the other hip may be left out too.
- New problems, like a cut paw or a new illness, can still be covered after the waits.
Carrier rules at a glance
Joint problems often have a longer wait than other illnesses. That matters a lot for these breeds.
| Carrier | Age to join | Illness wait | Knee or joint wait | Cured problems | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | From 2 months. Top age depends on breed and state | 14 days | 30 days for joints | Some short-term problems after 12 months clear. Not knees or long-term problems | Get a quote from Lemonade |
| Embrace | 6 weeks to 14 (15+ accident-only) | 14 days | Often 6 months, varies by state | Some short-term problems after 12 months clear | Get a quote from Embrace |
| Fetch | From 6 weeks, no top age listed | Up to 15 days | Check the quote form | Some short-term problems after 1 year clear | Get a quote from Fetch |
| Pets Best | From 7 weeks, no top age | 14 days in the sample we read | 6 months for knee ligaments in the sample we read | Some problems that fully heal | Get a quote from Pets Best |
| Trupanion | Under 14 | Varies by state | Varies by state | No cured path on the page we read | Get a quote from Trupanion |
| Spot | From 8 weeks, no top age | 14 days | 14 days for knees in CA | Some problems after 180 days clear. Not knees | Get a quote from Spot |
Short version from public carrier pages. Rules change by state. Verify on the quote form. The long version, with sources, is on what counts as pre-existing.
Common questions
How much is pet insurance for a Lab, Golden, or German Shepherd?
Lemonade publishes its own averages. At age 1 they run about $45 to $55 a month for these three breeds. By age 7 they run about $80 to $90. Your price depends on your ZIP code, deductible, payback percent, and yearly cap, so check the quote form.
Why does the price go up so much by age 7?
Big dogs have more joint, cancer, and heart problems as they get older. Lemonade's own averages climb every year from age 4 to 7 for all three breeds.
Will insurance cover hip dysplasia in my retriever or shepherd?
Only if no signs of it were in the vet notes before the policy started and before the waiting period ended. If a vet already wrote down stiff or sore hips, expect that to be left out.
Is it too late to insure a 9-year-old big dog?
Not always. Some carriers take new dogs up to 14, and some list no top age. The bigger issue is what is already in the vet notes. Problems found before you sign up are usually not covered.
Sources for this page (checked Oct 26, 2026)
General carrier rules (waits, age limits, pre-existing) come from official carrier pages. The full list of those sources is on what counts as pre-existing.