Dog health

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 22 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 6 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, luxating patella, inherited eye disease, epilepsy, Von Willebrand's disease and kidney disease. A typical vet bill for a medium dog runs $239 – $1,107.

Health problems linked to the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [3]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [4]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [5]
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: breed club screening [3]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [6]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [8]
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [3]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [9]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [10]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [11]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [12]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [13]
Von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorder)Named by: breed club screening [3]Blood doesn't clot normally, so cuts and surgeries can bleed more than expected. Testing before surgery is important. [14]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [15]
Kidney diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste. It is managed with diet, fluids and regular blood tests rather than cured. [16]Ongoing medication (owner bills): $40–$225 [17]
Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [15]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Epilepsy Renal disorders 3. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Eye examination - certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Patella Evaluation - certified through OFA, Hip: certififed through OFA, Von Willebrand Disease III (Kooikerhondje) (VWDIII) - DNA Test, Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM) - DNA Test. [1][3] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

What to budget

For a medium dog like the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482), and surgery, when needed, runs $264 – $2,106. [18]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Nederlandse Kooikerhondje at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 12–15 years and you get roughly $10,500–$20,400 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [18][19] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [20] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [21] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [22]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, luxating patella, inherited eye disease, epilepsy, Von Willebrand's disease and kidney disease. That doesn't mean every Nederlandse Kooikerhondje will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For medium dogs, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482).

Should I get pet insurance for a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Eye examination - certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Patella Evaluation - certified through OFA, Hip: certififed through OFA, Von Willebrand Disease III (Kooikerhondje) (VWDIII) - DNA Test, Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Nederlandse Kooikerhondje live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12–15 years.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (22) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Nederlandse Kooikerhondje breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  6. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  7. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. OFA – Eye certification
  10. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  12. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. VCA – Von Willebrand's disease in dogs
  15. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  16. VCA – Chronic kidney disease in dogs
  17. VetReceipt – Dog Chronic Medication Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  18. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  19. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  20. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  21. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  22. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)