Golden Shepherd Pet Insurance FAQs

What is dog insurance and why is it useful for Golden Shepherds?

Dog insurance is medical insurance coverage for all canine breeds. The reason any dog “hooman” needs a pet insurance plan is to support dog owners with the financial costs of the veterinary care that’s required to own a happy and healthy pup. While dog insurance may not cover the entire cost of care, it more often than not will save dog owners thousands of dollars by covering a significant portion of veterinary bills. Benefitting from dog insurance is easy; simply select a plan, make the required monthly payments to keep the policy active, and then when needed, submit receipts for reimbursement from your insurance provider.

Dog insurance is helpful if you own a Golden Shepherd because it prepares you for the unexpected. While hybrid breeds tend to have fewer genetic issues, the Golden Shepard is not immune to certain disorders such as the elbow or hip dysplasia, eye disorders, including cataracts, allergies and hypothyroidism will require ongoing veterinary treatment, which can be quite costly. Dog insurance means your furry family member will receive any necessary treatment without busting your wallet.

How old does my Golden Shepherd need to be insured?

Pet insurance providers typically want puppies to be at least eight weeks old to begin insurance coverage. Ideally, you want to enroll your Golden Shepherd in a dog insurance plan the moment you bring them home for the first time. Keep in mind, most pet insurance premiums are based on age, so the younger you can get started, the better.

What are common insurance claims for Golden Shepherds?

Because the Golden Shepherd is still a relatively new breed, there’s a lot that’s still unknown about long-term genetic health issues (another reason to get dog insurance sooner rather than later, prepare for the unexpected). It’s important to look at the health history of the German Shepard and the Golden Retriever; both of these breeds face many potential genetic issues. In addition to what was already mentioned (elbow or hip dysplasia, eye disorders, including cataracts, allergies, and hypothyroidism), Golden Shepherds may also be prone to epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, bleeding disorders and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. These conditions will certainly require ongoing medical treatment and monitoring by a licensed, specially trained veterinarian.

What services for my Golden Shepherd are covered by dog insurance? What services are excluded from coverage?

Coverage for dog insurance can vary by plan. Generally, you can expect your Golden Shepherd policy to cover surprise injuries, accidents, and unexpected illnesses. Typically, coverage includes surgery, medication, medical tests, emergency care, and exam fees. Some dog insurance plans also cover hospitalizations and preventative care. Really, any condition your Golden Shepherd may develop throughout life, including viral infections and broken bones.

Of course, excluded services also vary by plan. Still, you can be sure that most dog insurance policies will not cover the cost of care for pre-existing conditions, which is why enrolling in a policy as soon as possible is important.

How does reimbursement work?

With most insurance plans, the pet owner must pay the dog’s medical bill upfront and then submit the vet bill for reimbursement to the insurance provider. Your insurance provider will then pay you back a certain amount of that bill. Your insurance company will determine how much you will be reimbursed based on your deductible and reimbursement rate.

Should I enroll in a high deductible or low deductible plan?

There are a lot of dog insurance plans out there, everything from high deductible plans, low deductible plans, and plans with no deductible at all. It all depends on how you want to manage your finances for your Golden Shepherd. Of course, the higher the deductible, the lower the monthly payment typically, but that means you’ll pay a higher cost during those unexpected emergencies. You may not want to worry about costs when dealing with an emergency. If that’s the case, a lower deductible may be for you, which means a higher monthly payment, but less of a financial surprise during a stressful medical emergency.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Golden Shepherd Safe & Healthy

In addition to enrolling your four-legged fur baby in dog insurance, there are many other ways to ensure that your Golden Shepherd lives a long and healthy life.

1. Regular Exercise

All dogs need exercise, and Golden Shepherds are really at the top of that list. If you’re into a good long hike, this breed is perfect for you as they need upwards of 60 minutes a day of exercise. Golden Shepherds are mischievous, so getting lots of exercises and mental stimulation will help keep them on their best behavior. Think walks, jogs, hikes, training sessions and visits to the dog park!

2. Training and Socialization

Thanks to that Golden Retriever lineage, your Golden Shepherd may naturally be a very social dog, but it’s still important to properly socialize your pup from a young age. Puppy classes can help your Golden Shepherd learn cues as to how to interact with other dogs and people. Remember that your Golden Shepherd learns best with positive reinforcement such as training treats, extra pets and lots of high praise.

3. Nutritious Diet

Golden Shepherds are large dogs that can range in weight anywhere from 50-90 pounds. They have a high potential for weight gain, so keeping an eye on their diet is very important. Your Golden Shepherd needs food that has a healthy balance of protein and grains, the quantity of food is also key to keeping your Golden Shepherd healthy. Be sure to follow portion guidelines and avoid giving your dog excessive amounts of treats or “people’s food.”

4. Love and Affection

Golden Shepherds are loving, loyal, great for first-time dog owners, and very family-friendly. The mix of German Shepherd intelligence means the Golden Shepherd is a dream to train (and all family members should be part of the socializing and training process), and the Golden Retriever’s eagerness to please, means the Golden Shepherd wants to do right by their “hoomans.” They love playing in the yard with older children, but they’re equally as happy sitting on the sofa snuggling with the kids during a movie.

5. Regular Grooming

While grooming your Golden Shepherd is low-maintenance, you should be prepared for a fair amount of shedding, especially in the Spring and Fall (but really, all year round). You’ll need a routine of brushing his or her coat at least once a week, to help keep that shedding in check, and baths with dog shampoo are key to maintaining that beautiful coat.

With all that, you may still want the name of a good groomer as getting those nails trimmed regularly will also be important. Also, brush your Golden Shepherd’s teeth, maybe not nightly, but as often as possible, especially as he/she gets older. Be sure to talk to your vet about whether your pup could use a professional teeth cleaning (which may be covered under your insurance plan), oh and don’t forget to check those ears too!

Conclusion

Enrolling your Golden Shepherd in pet insurance is the best way to ensure your furry family member’s health. Yes, all of these insurance policies and the enrollment process can be confusing, all you need to do is select the best plan for you and your dog, pay the monthly premium, and then your Golden Shepherd is covered. Remember, there are, unfortunately, a variety of unexpected reasons that your pup may need veterinary care. Having coverage means your dog can receive the necessary care without the stress of the financial burden.

After extensive research, we conclude that Lemonade pet insurance offers the best dog insurance policy at the lowest monthly cost for Golden Shepherds.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Golden Shepherds

We ranked the best pet insurance policies for Golden Shepherds based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Golden Shepherd with a $500 deductible located in the 90210 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews

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