Pedigrees cost 15% more

Pedigree dogs cost their owners 15 per cent more in vets fees compared to mongrels, a study has shown.

Saga Pet Insurance has revealed that the average vet bill in the UK is £320.92 for a dog, but owners of pedigree pets are likely to end up footing a much higher bill.

According to a BBC documentary, pedigree animals are more likely to suffer health problems as a result of genetic diseases following years of inbreeding.

Of the seven million dogs in the UK, a staggering 75 per cent of them are pedigree animals, costing their owners over £10 million in vet fees each week, according to the report.

Andrew Goodsell, chief executive of Saga, said: "Every pet owner knows that the cost of keeping a dog is high, but it is sad to see that costs for pedigree dogs have escalated due to inbreeding.

"Without appropriate insurance in place, owners could be faced with the prospect of having to withhold care because it's simply too expensive. Whether you have a pedigree pooch or a mongrel, it is important to make sure they are adequately covered."

Research from Saga has shown that the south-east is the most expensive part of the country for dog owners who may have to take their animals to the vet – with the average bill at £347.89, over one hundred pounds more expensive than in the cheapest region, Wales (£227.24).