Have a question - do you guys have pet insurance for your dog?
Any and all comments wanted. I'm on the fence about it for Odin.
Pet Insurance
- felixone123
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:08 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
Pet Insurance
Barbara, Odin & Kai
- ZodiacT
- Green Dog
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:50 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I was introduced to the Dutch Shepherd breed during my time as an Army veterinary technician working with Military Working Dogs. I fell in love with the breed and by pure chance happened to meet a DS in a local rescue who was a police K9 washout and was up for adoption. We adopted Zodiac right away and she has been an important part of our family ever since. We currently compete in Rally-Obedience and participate in Agility.
- Location: Andrews Air Force Base, MD
Re: Pet Insurance
I've thought about getting it before and looked into rates, in the end we decided it would be easier to just have an emergency fund set aside.
Hayley St.Pierre-Thomas and Zodiac RL1-AOE, RL2-AOE, CGC


- felixone123
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:08 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
Re: Pet Insurance
That's a good idea....those rates get to be a bit pricey.ZodiacT wrote:I've thought about getting it before and looked into rates, in the end we decided it would be easier to just have an emergency fund set aside.
Barbara, Odin & Kai
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Lauren
- Training Dog
- Posts: 540
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:29 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I am a wife, mother of 2 kids, 3 cats, 1 Standard Poodle (10 yrs) and Xena, a Dutch Shepherd Puppy.
Re: Pet Insurance
I never had pet insurance before, but when Xena came flying, crashing and careening into our lives, we reconsidered. I now have her and Thor on Petplan. It is about 300.00 per year (each) with a 500.00 deductible. and it covers 100% of vet costs, 80% of specialists up to 12,000.00.
It will cover them for life if I maintain coverage....
For 10 years none of my pets went to the vet (except for rabies). Then all of a sudden, my smallest siamese eats the foam rubber off of my cello stand and had to have surgery (twice). Other siamese stopped eating, but it turned out to be an upset tummy (400.00 worth of x-rays later) My DSH cat had a mystery illness and was in intensive care for a week ($$$$) My old dog grew a tumor in his ear practically overnight and had it removed (800.00+) <sigh> You just never know.
It will cover them for life if I maintain coverage....
For 10 years none of my pets went to the vet (except for rabies). Then all of a sudden, my smallest siamese eats the foam rubber off of my cello stand and had to have surgery (twice). Other siamese stopped eating, but it turned out to be an upset tummy (400.00 worth of x-rays later) My DSH cat had a mystery illness and was in intensive care for a week ($$$$) My old dog grew a tumor in his ear practically overnight and had it removed (800.00+) <sigh> You just never know.
Lauren from Western NC
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Sugars Mom
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1734
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:16 am
- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
Re: Pet Insurance
We opted not to insure Sugar and figured putting the money aside would be just as well (we really don't put the money aside tho...).
When she broke her leg, it was $3500 when it was all said and done. Wish we had insurance for that, but whatcha gonna do.
My understanding is the insurance goes up as they age, so see if you can find out. Plus how much is the deductable? What does insurance cover or not cover?
I think the answer lies in how much of a gambler are you.
When she broke her leg, it was $3500 when it was all said and done. Wish we had insurance for that, but whatcha gonna do.
My understanding is the insurance goes up as they age, so see if you can find out. Plus how much is the deductable? What does insurance cover or not cover?
I think the answer lies in how much of a gambler are you.
Sue (and Sugar)

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GSDNanny
- Training Dog
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:13 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Dogs are my life, what can I say. GSDs primarily for nearly 50 years til bringing in my first DutchShep about 4 years ago. GSD rescue for 9 yrs, nearly 200 thru my home, rehabbed, adopted out. Been involved in AKC ob, herding, tracking, agility; Schutzhund-DVG; scent detection (HR-water)&narcotics, some patrol work. Mostly herding training at present on my little farm.
Re: Pet Insurance
Good golly Molly!! My vet friends would surely love to be practicing in your areas with those costs. That is outrageous! But like you say, whatch gonna do?
Thank goodness a very close friend is also my vet so I exchange helping out on emergencies, etc, so my vetting is freeeeee!!
Thank goodness a very close friend is also my vet so I exchange helping out on emergencies, etc, so my vetting is freeeeee!!
Denise Gatlin & Zip, Shooter & the K9 crew
Livin' in the deep south - Louisiana
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Sugars Mom
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1734
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:16 am
- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
Re: Pet Insurance
Nice! Bartering is the best!GSDNanny wrote:
Thank goodness a very close friend is also my vet so I exchange helping out on emergencies, etc, so my vetting is freeeeee!!
Sue (and Sugar)

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Drizlaru
- Green Dog
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 5:28 am
- Tell us about yourself: Motivated sport dog trainer.
Re: Pet Insurance
I've had Embrace pet insurance for a few years, and have no complaints. I use CareCredit to pay the vet, and use the insurance reimbursment to pay off CareCredit. CareCredit has alot of promotions with 0% interest for 2-12 months too, so I don't have to worry much about getting slapped with interest (unless I don't pay it off in the interest free time), and they have no annual fee. I also don't have to worry about having a large sum of cash up front in case of emergencies. There's nothing like knowing I've got several thousand dollars at the drop of a hat if I ever need it. Typical reimbursment time is about 2-3 weeks, and they're very friendly, professional , and caring people. Embrace also covers alot that others do not, and their payouts are substantial.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to send anyone to grief counseling, or a mental trauma hospital. The information in this post is intended for "informational purposes only", and is a product of my own opinion.
Ben MacDonald
Ben MacDonald
- felixone123
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:08 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
Re: Pet Insurance
thanks all for your input. Am now checking out insurance and will check out Embrace and Petplan.
Barbara, Odin & Kai
- Dutchringgirl
- Global Moderator

- Posts: 5692
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:05 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I am a mom of 6 life forces - 2 kids and 3 dogs 1 hamster. I live in Ct. I have trained Ringsport and Agility and have 2 DS, one 15 and 7 and a Basset Hound Cookie who is 2
- Location: Ct, USA
Re: Pet Insurance
At one point I had one of my horses insured but I never had any of my dogs insured. Its so hard to say if It its worth it or not. Of course if something happens youll be glad you did, but If your okay for years youll be sad you spent that money. Its a toss up. I wish I had Dog bed insurance though.
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT




- felixone123
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:08 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY


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