Give your Portie nose-to-tail coverage for all of life’s surprises!
Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, adventurous, and athletic companions who bring endless joy to families, but as a medium breed, they’re prone to certain health conditions that can lead to expensive vet bills. Hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy are just a few common concerns that could cost thousands to treat.
Pet insurance helps you focus on what matters most: your Portie’s health and happiness. Here’s everything you need to know about coverage options, costs, and why insurance makes sense for this beloved breed.
What does Portuguese Water Dog pet insurance cover?
A base Lemonade pet health insurance policy helps cover the costs of medication, tests, and treatments if your Portuguese Water Dog has an unexpected accident or illness (provided it’s not related to a pre-existing condition, and occurs after your policy’s waiting periods have ended).
Whether it’s an unexpected accident during play time or a breed-specific illness like Hip dysplasia, Portuguese Water Dogs benefit from comprehensive coverage that protects against life’s surprises.
Wellness care
Want to get money back for your Portie’s routine care? Our preventive packages reimburse you for the stuff you’re already doing, like annual checkups, vaccines, blood work, and other routine care that keep your pup healthy and happy.
Keep in mind, preventative care offerings might differ based on where you live. The easiest way to see what’s available? Get a free quote.
Extra coverage
You can also customize your Lemonade policy with optional add-ons like:
- Physical therapy: important for this athletic breed that can develop joint stress from swimming and active lifestyle
- Visit fees
- Dental coverage
- Behavioral conditions
- End-of-life and remembrance
These coverages help take a bite out of pricey treatments, services, and vet visits that Portuguese Water Dogs often need.
Is pet insurance worth it for Portuguese Water Dogs?
Taking care of any medium breed gets expensive, and Portuguese Water Dogs can face costly breed-specific health issues throughout their 11 to 13-year lifespan. The good news? Lemonade pet parents are already saving serious money on vet bills.
Portuguese Water Dogs are particularly prone to joint problems, eye conditions, and heart disease that can appear at young ages, which makes insurance even more valuable.
Common Portuguese Water Dog health conditions
Portuguese Water Dogs are amazing dogs, but they’re predisposed to certain health conditions that can get expensive to treat. Here are some of the most common claims we see for them, along with typical treatment costs:
| Condition | What is it? | Average treatment cost |
| Hip Dysplasia | Malformed hip joint; pain and arthritis in back legs | 1,500–6,000 |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Blindness from Retinal Disease substitute) | Inherited gradual vision loss | 300–700 |
| Ear Infections | Chronic or severe ear infections | 300–800 |
| Skin Allergies (Environmental/Food) | Persistent itching from food, fleas, or environment | 400–1,500 |
| Cataracts | Clouding of the eye lens; vision loss | 2,000–4,000 |
| Obesity | Extra weight, leads to other health issues | 250–800 |
| Torn Knee Ligament (Cruciate Ligament Tear) | Torn ligament in the knee | 1,200–8,500 |
| Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy) | Recurring seizures | 500–2,500 |
| Pancreatitis | Inflammation of pancreas; vomiting, pain | 500–2,500 |
| Dental Disease (Tooth & Gum Problems) | Gum & tooth disease, possible extractions | 400–1,500 |
As a working breed, Portuguese Water Dogs face having a high energy water work background and genetic predisposition to early heart problems, which is why early coverage is important to protect their health and your wallet.
How much does pet insurance for Portuguese Water Dogs cost?
Your Portuguese Water Dog’s premium depends on a few key factors: Their age, your location, and the coverages you choose. Medium breeds like Portuguese Water Dogs typically cost mid-range to insure due to their medium size and generally good health, though heart and eye conditions can be expensive to manage.
Here’s what other Portuguese Water Dog parents typically pay for Lemonade coverage:
| Age | Average monthly premium |
| 1 year old | 45-50 |
| 2 years old | 40-45 |
| 3 years old | 45-50 |
| 4 years old | 45-50 |
| 5 years old | 55-60 |
| 6 years old | 65-70 |
| 7 years old | 75-80 |
How can I find the best pet insurance for my Portuguese Water Dog?
While we might be biased, Lemonade was really designed with pet parents in mind, especially those with breeds like Portuguese Water Dogs that need comprehensive coverage for joint health, eye care, and heart monitoring from young age.
Our customizable add-ons are perfect for Portuguese Water Dogs since you can tailor coverage for their specific risks like hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.
Before we go…
Portuguese Water Dogs make incredible companions, but their high energy requiring swimming or intense exercise plus regular professional grooming can get expensive fast. Pet insurance helps you say “yes” to the best care without worrying about the vet bill, whether that’s treating heart treatment or eye surgery, managing heart conditions, or handling an emergency.
Ready to protect your Portie? Get a personalized quote in as little as 90 seconds and see how affordable coverage can be for your Portuguese Water Dog.
