Owner cradles the head of an older golden Labrador
Is it worth insuring an older dog?
Unsure whether you should insure your older dog or not? Find out more in our blog.
Read morePet Insurance for German Shepherds
Affordable, comprehensive pet insurance designed for German Shepherds.
✓ Up to £12,000 vet fee cover
✓ Receive up to 100% back on eligible vet bills
✓ 95% of claims paid within 3 days
✓ Simple, quick claims process with support from our friendly UK team
✓ Proud to be Feefo Platinum Trusted Service rated
Trusted by owners that love their dogs as much as you do
German Shepherd – Costs, Cover & Common Health Issues
The German Shepherd is one of the most recognisable and versatile dog breeds in the world. Originally developed in Germany for herding and guarding livestock, they are now widely used in police, military, search-and-rescue, and assistance roles.
Recognised by the The Kennel Club in the Pastoral Group, German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts. They form strong bonds with their families and thrive when given structure, purpose, and training.
They are confident, courageous dogs that require experienced handling and consistent leadership.
🐾 Average lifespan: 9–13 years
🐾 Average adult weight: 22–40 kg
🐾 One of the most popular working breeds worldwide
🐾 Recognised by the The Kennel Club in 1919
🐾 The average claim for German Shepherds is £768
German Shepherd With Stick
Common German Shepherd Health Issues
German Shepherds are loyal and hardworking but prone to several hereditary and structural conditions.
Common Health Issues:
-
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia – £5,000–£9,000 per hip
-
Degenerative Myelopathy – Genetic test £100–£250
-
Bloat – £2,000–£5,000 emergency surgery
-
Arthritis – £500–£1,500 per year
-
Pancreatitis – £1,000–£3,000 treatment
Large-breed surgery and ongoing joint care can quickly become expensive without comprehensive cover.
🐶 Loyal, Intelligent, Protective — Protect Your German Shepherd Properly
Your Guide To Owning a German Shepherd
Wondering if a German Shepherd is the right dog for you? Here’s a few things you should know before you bring a ‘fluffy bear’ home…
German Shepherd with a ball
Diet & Nutrition
German Shepherds benefit from a high-quality diet tailored to their size and activity level.
Key dietary considerations:
- High-protein diet to maintain muscle mass
- Joint-support supplements (glucosamine & chondroitin)
- Split meals to reduce risk of bloat
- Careful monitoring of weight to reduce joint strain
Large-breed puppy food is particularly important during early development to support controlled growth and reduce joint problems later in life.
German Shepherd catching a frisbee
Exercise Requirements
German Shepherds are energetic and highly intelligent dogs.
Daily exercise needs:
- 1.5–2 hours per day
- Structured walks and training
- Mental stimulation through obedience or scent work
- Advanced activities such as agility or protection training
Without sufficient stimulation, German Shepherds can become bored and develop behavioural issues.
German Shepherd puppy catching a toy
Who Is the German Shepherd Perfect For?
German Shepherds are ideal for:
- Experienced dog owners
- Active individuals or families
- Homes with space and secure gardens
- Owners willing to commit to consistent training
- People seeking a loyal and protective companion
They are less suited to first-time owners without support or households unable to provide daily structure and activity.
Why Insurance Matters for German Shepherds
From costly joint surgery to emergency treatment for bloat, veterinary bills for German Shepherds can escalate quickly. Large-breed procedures and long-term medication can run into thousands of pounds.
Comprehensive insurance provides peace of mind that if your German Shepherd develops a hereditary condition or suffers an unexpected injury, you can focus on their care — not the cost.
Choose The Best Policy For Your Greyhound
Superior – the most comprehensive insurance cover we offer, with the lowest excess, giving you confidence that your dog will be looked after if illness or injury strikes.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£12,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£9,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£6,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
Superior
Mid-point
Entry
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Veterinary fees
£12,000
£9,000
£6,000
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
100%
100%
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
Day to day care
–
–
–
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Mid-range – our most flexible plan, offering a choice of co-payment and excess levels and packed with a range of optional extras to suit your dog’s needs.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£12,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
90%, 80% or 70%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£9,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
90%, 80% or 70%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£6,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
90%, 80% or 70%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
Key
Vital
Core
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Veterinary fees
£12,000
£9,000
£6,000
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
90%, 80% or 70%
90%, 80% or 70%
90%, 80% or 70%
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
Day to day care
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Safety-net – accidents or illness can happen at any time, and our Catastrophe and Economy policies provide cover for your dog when emergency treatment is needed.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Cover for each injury or illness for 12 months from the date of the incident or when symptoms first appeared.
-
Veterinary fees
£4,000
for each injury and illness for 12 months -
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£6,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
-
Claimable period
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year. -
Veterinary fees
£3,000
-
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
-
Third party liability
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
-
Day to day care
–
-
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Benefits
Economy
Catastrophe 2
Catastrophe 1
Claimable period
Cover for each injury or illness for 12 months from the date of the incident or when symptoms first appeared.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Veterinary fees
£4,000
for each injury and illness for 12 months
£6,000
£3,000
Percentage of veterinary fees covered
100%
100%
100%
Third party liability
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
Day to day care
–
–
–
Age restrictions
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Terms, conditions, and excesses apply. Cover depends on acceptance criteria, and there may be policy limits and exclusions. Make sure to check the policy details on the dog insurance page before taking out a policy.