How Much Cost German Shepherd Puppy

Should You Get A German Shepherd

German Shepherds are intelligent, confident, and friendly. Theyre always eager to help their owner as a working dog or a companion. This pooch will get along well with anyone in the family.

With a lifespan of seven to ten years, you can be sure youll live an amazing life with your German Shepherd by your side.

If youre looking for an active pup to be by your side and you can handle the first-year costs and beyond of adopting this pooch, then certainly consider getting a German Shepherd.

Do you have a GSD at home? Let us know in the comments below.

West German Working Line

Price range: $1,800 $3,000

The West German Working Line is mainly bred to be working dogs, and youll often find these dogs in military or law enforcement settings. They are bred to endure tough situations.

You often see this type of German Shepherd in movies, and they are also close relatives to the original breed of German Shepherd developed by Max von Stephanitz.

West German Working Lines have a good temperament, and are excellent working dogs as well as amazing family pets.

Considerations And Cautions In The Search For A Purebred German Shepherd

Keep the following in mind as you search for your German Shepherd:

• When you go to meet your puppy or pick up your puppy from the breeder, you should be able to meet the puppys parents. If their mother is not on-site, this is a red flag, as it means they may have been separated from her sooner than they should have been. Puppies need their mother for health reasons for approximately the first 8 weeks of their lives.
• The puppys living area should be clean, safe, and not exposed to harsh temperatures such as heat in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. While you should expect to see the puppies go to the bathroom, the urine and droppings should be promptly cleaned up the puppies should not be sitting in old excrement.
• Always use caution when a breeder does not communicate well with you. If they are breeding puppies just for the money, they wont want to spend time communicating with you.
• When you hold the puppies, look for the following: Are their ears clean or dirty? Do they have fleas? Are their noses runny? Are their eyes watery? Is their bottom clean or dirty? Is their nose wet or dry and cracked?

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Where Most German Shepherd Puppy Pricing Articles Miss The Boat

Much like dog laws youll read about on your towns website, the dog training information youll find online is just as confusing

Dont believe me?

Try a quick Google search for a real, specific question youd like an answer to. I bet the search will turn up nothing but half-written articles and short sighted attempts to persuade you to buy a German Shepherd puppy. Take a look:

If youve been researching puppies, maybe you feel it.

The Cost Of Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy

How much money should you set aside in your budget to feed your recently adopted German shepherd puppy? The cost may vary based on their quality, pedigree status, and age, whether it is a 4-month-old GSD or a 6-month-old GSD.

You could end up paying just $25-$100/month until the puppy becomes an adult.

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Puppy Ownership Cost Breakdown

Between $25 and $2,000 per month

Wanna skip ahead to the in-depth break down? Surely.

Considering how you live your life is a better first step, before moving on to the exact costs of your canine investment. To understand why, consider this:

A dog living in the middle of Boston will have different needs than one living in a more country setting. These dogs have similar costs associated with them, sure. For example, the investment to buy the dog is around the same price. Toys are similar in price, as is food. But as the your new puppy ages into a full grown dog and beyond differences will creep in. As your puppy grows up, youll realize that there are some things you cant put a price tag on

Why I Re-Wrote This Article for 2016

I originally wrote Should I Buy a German Shepherd Puppy in 2009 and it was well received on popular dog forums like GermanShepherds.com. But the passage time is a catalyst for change and a perspective shift.

The dog world needs to head in a different direction. And whether puppies are legally considered property or considered your family, the first step in the right direction is helping first time German Shepherd owners understand their investment!

So here, we are going to break down the potential cost of owning a German Shepherd in all the areas in your life in which owning dog will impact you.

Average Cost Of Buying A German Shepherd

So, youre interested in getting adding a German Shepherd puppy to your family. But how much does one cost? Where can you buy them? Let me help you get started.

First, how much does a German Shepherd typically cost? The average cost of a German Shepherd puppy is between $500 and $3,000, which depends on the location and the breeder youre purchasing it from. If youre wanting to adopt, its going to cost between $300 to $600.

Below, youll find more information about different breeders and adoption centers and their price for German Shepherds. If you want a GSD and you dont know where to look, hopefully, Ill be able to give you an idea.

Also Check: Full Blooded German Shepherd Price

Is It Expensive To Own A German Shepherd

People can spend at least $12,000 on this dog during its lifetime of 7 to 10 years. This means the yearly cost for a German Shepherd can be from $1,200 to $1,750.

Owners can expect to spend about $100 to $150 per month. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are:

Bringing a German Shepherd puppy into your home for the first time is exciting, but it is also one of the most expensive times.

Setup Cost

After buying a German Shepherd puppy, you will also need to invest in all of the items that are necessary for bringing one home. Your puppy will need a bed, crate, food, toys, pads, a harness and leash, ID tag, brush, shampoo, nail clippers and bowls.

All of these things can add up and you can end-up spending $350.

Vet Fees

Once you bring your puppy home, you will need to vaccinate, deworm, and give it its flea and heartworm preventatives.

Most reputable breeders will have given your puppy their initial round, but it is up to you to keep up with the vaccine schedule and preventatives.

Depending on the vet this can be between $100 and $200 on each visit.

As your dog gets older, it is likely that you will only need to visit the vet once a year for an annual checkup and vaccines. These visits can cost $75-$300.

The most common diseases these dogs are prone to are elbow and hip dysplasia. They can also get bloating from a twisted stomach. Health insurance will vary by state, but it can cost between $30 and $120 per month.

Food

Miscellaneous

How Much Are The Vet Expenses For A German Shepherd

As with any dog, your puppy will need vet visits throughout his life.

How much you spend depends on the puppys age and gender. The breed qualify may also determine the costs you incur in vet expenses, especially for show dogs. In this case, you might incur costs for routine health care charges such as vaccinations and dental cleaning. These extra expenses might add up to $400 per year while regular dogs may incur less than half of this amount.

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How Much Is A Puppy Vaccination

If you purchase your German shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder it may have already received its vaccinations. Most breeders will leave you to vaccinate your own dog which may raise vet costs early on. Its considered essential for your dog to receive its puppy vaccines to assure it doesnt develop health issues down the line. These vaccinations may cost you up to £400

Adult German shepherds may still need to receive vaccinations. German shepherds of all ages may be affected by the following issues:

Canine parvovirus

Distemper

Hepatitis Kennel cough is a highly infectious respiratory condition that can cause long-term health problems in German Shepherds.

Its important to get booster vaccinations done on German Shepherds of all ages to ensure they remain protected against the diseases. It is also important for German shepherds with kennel cough to receive medications so it doesnt lead to pneumonia and other long-term health problems such as liver damage.

Responsible breeders will make sure your German Shepherd puppy has been given its initial vaccinations

Supplies Prices Range Average Cost

After the initial expenditure, the cost drops to between $95 and $390 for each successive year.

After the first year, the average cost each year will be somewhere around $245. This covers the cost of re-purchasing products such as child toys, a bed, shampoo, plastic bags, and a tooth-brushing kit.

Other items such as muzzles, clothing, play cages, and fences are not included in this list. Rather, it is a record of necessary supplies. Second-Hand Stores, local pet stores, and popular websites may be worth looking into to help save money on some of the pet goods.

Also Check: Can German Shepherd Puppies Eat Raw Meat

Why You Should Notbuy From Household Breeders

Another question iget asked a lot whenever the price of a GSD puppy comes up is someone that hasfound a puppy on craigslist for $500.Why shouldn’t I just buy one of those?Puppies sold at this price come from home breeders, people who dont normallybreed GSD’s but thought it was a good way to make some extra money. The problem with these puppies is that they have not been bred to the samestandard as from a reputable breeder. The parents have not had health checks, have not been cleared of commonbone problems , do not receive an optimal diet throughpregnancy and while suckling the puppies and they do not have an expert eyelooking for problems as they develop. All of these factors can contribute to apuppy that is more likely to show genetic or health defects later in life.The cost of surgeries and unexpected trips to the veterinarian can add up veryquickly. If by choosing a reputable breeder you avoid just one or 2 healthconditions prevalent in poorly bred German Shepherds then in the long run youwill save a lot of money. As we stated earlier the upfront cost of a GSG islittle compared to the cost of owning and raising one for 10+ years. Pay theextra upfront and it will likely save you thousands down the line.

Groom Your German Shepherd At Home

As weve mentioned before, grooming GSDs isnt difficult despite the heavy shedding. This is something that you can easily do on your own without the help of a professional groomer.

In fact, grooming your German Shepherd at home can save you between $1,000 and $1,500 during the lifetime of your pup. At the same time, it will create a strong bond with your dog.

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German Shepherd Health Costs

Medical costs are some of the most expensive costs incurred by dog owners, which is just one of the reasons it is so important to make sure you get your puppy from a reputable source.

Still, all dogs can be prone to certain health issues. You can save yourself money in the long run by staying on top of your German Shepherds health and understanding the issues he can be prone to.

Overall German Shepherd price may be influenced by potential health issues.

German Shepherds are most susceptible to health issues like:

You can help keep your German Shepherd in good health by getting him screened early on.

Some of the health tests recommended for the German Shepherd by the American Kennel Club include:

• Elbow Evaluation

Why Does A Germanshepherd Puppy Cost So Much

A German Shepherd breeder has a lot of overhead and devoutcountless ours of their time nurturing and raising their puppies in a happy,healthy way. Its not as easy as chucking a male and female in the same roomand a few months later selling $20000 worth of puppies. Here is a breakdown ofthe costs associated with a litter of German Shepherd puppies.

That brings the cost of the litter up to nearly $3000. Ontop of this breeders have to attend and display their dogs at shows which cancosts thousands per year as well as going through sacrificing sleep whenever anew litter is born . A reputable German Shepherd breeder doesnt do it to make money,they do it because they love the breed and have devoted their lives to ensuringtheir puppies are happy, healthy and in the best possible shape when they leavehome.

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The German Shepherd Husky Mix Is Independent And Strong

Many owners call it stubbornness, but we will call it a strong, independent mind. That is to say, while the German Shepherd usually loves learning new commands , the Shepsky often inherits the Huskies tendency to learn when they want to.

This doesnt mean that they arent clever. As we will show, many Shepskies seem to be hyper-intelligent. It just means that, like the Husky, you will have a tough time making them if they dont want to learn.

Related: Is My German Shepherd Stubborn or Just Me?

One owner with one-year-old Shepsky writes, When in training mode, hes very good with following commands, but if were not doing an active session, its kind of a wild card of how well hell listen. We do lots of training in high-distraction areas, and hes getting better, but he truly does what he pleases if hes in a mood.

First Year: The Expense Of Owning A German Shepherd Puppy

• Veterinary care, including general care and laboratory tests: $100 to $200
• Immunizations: $100 to $200

• Miscellaneous expenses: $500 to $1000

That is a total of $1300 to $2550 per year onwards.

These figures are estimates only and they do not include expenses related to illnesses, injuries, showing, competition, breeding, boarding, or travel. Senior dogs usually require more health care than adults or puppies.

From these figures, the care for a healthy German Shepherd living up to the age of 12 years could easily cost $15,400 to $30,400 or more, depending on your location.

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How Smart Are German Shepherd Husky Mix Dogs

German Shepherd Husky mixes learn quickly if they are motivated. They often have the high intelligence of the GSD, but they also often have the Huskys independent streak.

A Shepsky can inherit its intelligence from either the GSD or the Husky to a different degree.

The GSD is the third smartest dog in the world in obedience and work intelligence. They can learn a new command in five repetitions or less, and they obey the new command 95% of the time after they learn it! Dr. Stanley Corens research

On the other hand, the Husky ranks as the 74th most intelligent dog breed.

That said, you may need to repeat a commandfor up to 40 times before they can learn it. And then they may only obey about half the time afterward.

So with a Shepsky, like most crossed-breed dogs, you often get a mixed bag. And this is why theres not a lot of documentation for that matter.

Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog

When choosing a German Shepherd as your potential companion, you may wonder if they will prove to be quality family dogs or not? Well, factually speaking, when properly taught, all dogs make excellent family pets.

In general, German Shepherds or GSD make wonderful family pets, but its vital to keep in mind that temperament, breeding line, sex, and how breeders treat them all play a role in whether theyll be good for you and your family.

You must understand that dogs have several wants that must be met in order for them to be happy, and if you do not tend to meet those demands, you may anticipate your dog to become mischievous.

As stated previously, the German Shepherd is an excellent family dog. Because of their placid attitude and caring temperament, they are regarded as wonderful home dogs. The following are the most common reasons to choose a GSD as your family dog:

Overall, this canine breed will make a wonderful addition to your family because they are loyal, clever, and outgoing. If properly trained, most people will not perceive them as the frightening dog that they are often accustomed to.

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How Long Do German Shepherd Live

One of the factors for German shepherd cost is life expectancy. You can expect a German shepherd to live anywhere between 12 15 years. German shepherds are very active dogs and can be expected to live a long life if provided with the care they need. German shepherd insurance is not required but may benefit those who purchase one of these beautiful creatures because German shepherds have a high risk of injury over their lifetime, it could result in serious costs for you.

Changes To Your Lifestyle

Vacationing

As shown in the table above, one potential cost associated with German Shepherd puppy ownership is boarding the puppy if you were to go on vacation.

Vacationing is a highly individual thing some people do it often and others not so much. However, if you fall into the category of those who need a few extended vacations per year, then perhaps you should look at how this may affect your GSD puppy.

Most German Shepherds do not do very well at all when separated from their owner. Separation may cause separation anxiety, which can be a very traumatic experience for a German Shepherd.

For a complete exploration of this topic, take a look at this article we have written for you all about German Shepherd separation anxiety.

We urge you to take your vacationing habits into consideration before deciding to purchase a GSD puppy. The odd vacation here and there will likely present few issues, but if you vacation frequently, then perhaps you should take a closer look at whether or not your lifestyle aligns with German Shepherd puppy ownership.

Personally, I have never taken a vacation during which I did not bring my GSD or GSDs along with me. Thus, I do not fly, and I drive wherever I go. I do not board my dogs, as I prefer them to enjoy the same experiences that I do.

However, everyone is different, and it is important that you take your particular lifestyle into account when considering owning a German Shepherd puppy.

Daily Exercise

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