Average Small Dog Insurance Cost (2026 Report)

Pet insurance costs an average of 48 per month ($581 annually) for small dogs, based on MoneyGeek's analysis. This rate assumes a policy for small dogs weighing 25 pounds and under with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.

This is a national benchmark, not a guaranteed quote. Breed, geographic location and age each affect what you'll pay, and the combination of those three factors is why two small dogs can land at very different premiums even under identical coverage terms.

Three factors impact small dog insurance premiums: breed, geographic location and age. Each one signals something different to an insurer about the likelihood and potential cost of future claims. A young Bichon Frise in a low-cost state won't have the same rate as an older French Bulldog in an expensive state, even with identical coverage.

Average monthly premiums for small dog breeds range from $38 for a Jack Russell Terrier to $90 for a French Bulldog, a difference that reflects documented hereditary risk profiles, not just breed popularity. The 35 small dog breeds in our dataset fall into three cost tiers based on their difference from the $48 national benchmark:

• Low-cost breeds (15%+ below national average): Jack Russell Terrier, Havanese, Miniature Poodle and Cavapoo
• Mid-cost breeds (within ±15% of national average): Australian Silky Terrier, Puggle, Coton De Tulear, Lhasa Apso, Cavachon, Dachshund, American Eskimo, Japanese Spitz, Shetland Sheepdog, Fox Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, German Spitz, Australian Terrier, Border Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Boston Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Beagle, Welsh Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Pug and Scottish Terrier
• High-cost breeds (15%+ above national average): Miniature Bull Terrier and French Bulldog

The majority of breeds cluster in the mid-cost tier, sitting within 15% of the national benchmark in either direction. The high-cost tier is anchored by French Bulldogs at 88% above the national average, driven by their elevated predisposition to brachycephalic airway syndrome, spinal conditions and skin fold infections. Jack Russell Terriers anchor the low end at 21% below the national average, reflecting fewer documented hereditary conditions compared to breeds with known predispositions to cardiac, orthopedic or respiratory disease.

Check the table below for the average monthly and annual cost of small dog insurance by breed.

Use the dedicated resources below to find the average cost for your small dog's breed.

Geographic location accounts for a wider cost range in small dog insurance than many owners expect. On average, monthly premiums for small dog insurance range from $39 in Arkansas to $75 in Washington, D.C. for the same coverage level. The 50 states and Washington, D.C. fall into three cost tiers based on their difference from the national average:

• Low-cost states (10%+ below national average): Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Maine, New Mexico, Montana and Nebraska
• Mid-cost states (within ±10% of national average): Iowa, Rhode Island, Kansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wyoming, Florida, Nevada, Virginia, Idaho, Vermont, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Delaware, Alaska, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
• High-cost states (10%+ above national average): New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Illinois, Hawaii, Connecticut, California, Washington, Colorado, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. sits 56% above the national average, where higher veterinary practice overhead, greater concentrations of specialty and emergency clinics and an elevated cost of living push premiums well above what small dog owners pay in most of the country. Arkansas sits at the opposite end of the distribution, 19% below the national average, reflecting lower regional veterinary costs and limited specialty care infrastructure. 

See the average cost of small dog insurance by state in the table below.

You can also explore our state-specific resources below for more detailed information.

Small dog insurance costs range from $31 per month at age 1 to $147 per month at age 15, a 375% difference that reflects how substantially claim exposure shifts over a dog's lifetime. That climb isn't uniform: premiums rise gradually through the early years, accelerate from age 8 onward as chronic and age-related conditions become more likely, and plateau between ages 16 and 20 at $132 per month, likely reflecting how insurers structure pricing at the oldest age bands rather than a reversal in health risk.

It's worth noting, however, that small dogs under 1 average $32 per month, slightly above the age 1 rate of $31. This modest difference likely captures the higher uncertainty insurers assign to very young dogs whose health profiles aren't yet established, compared to 1-year-olds where early development patterns are more predictable.

Your small dog's breed, age and location all affect how much you pay for pet insurance. You can reduce your rate by making adjustments to your coverage level without giving up on the comprehensive coverage that makes small dog insurance worth having.

Small dog insurance premiums vary by breed, geographic location and age, with each factor priced independently by insurers. Use the $48 monthly national average as a starting point, not a prediction of what any individual quote will return.

Evaluate your quote by answering these three questions:

1. Where does your small dog's breed and age place you relative to the national benchmark?
2. Which factors are pushing your premium above or below that figure?
3. Which coverage selection can be adjusted without reducing your financial protection?

Use these questions to assess whether your quote reflects your dog's actual risk profile and whether the coverage terms match what you need from a policy.

If you're ready to get quotes, use your dog's breed, age and location alongside your chosen coverage limits to compare across insurers. Identical coverage terms across at least three carriers gives you the most accurate read on what the market looks like for your specific dog.

If you're still weighing your options, the guidance below can help you arrive at an informed decision.