How Much Do Full Breed German Shepherds Cost

Czech German Shepherd Weight And Height

The Czech dog breeds are characterized by typical German shepherd traits. They have strong jaws, thick skulls, pointed ears, and such.

Their weight is also similar, with males ranging from 30 to 40 kg and with females from 22 to 32 kg. Theres also not much difference with their height. A male Czech GSD can be as short as 60 cm or can be as tall as 65 cm. Females, however, are shorter heights from 55 to 60 cm.

Czech GSDs are police dogs and therefore have a powerful-looking structure. Unlike standard GSDs, they have thick paws and a deep chest.

They often have a sable coat with mostly the Agouti pattern. This gives them a black appearance like that of a wolf.

So they have unique AND similar physical traits. What about their personality?

Health Care And Veterinary Bills

Overall this is a healthy breed.

However there are several common health concerns to look out for.

The most common issue that these strong pups experience is elbow or hip dysplasia 19% of German Shepherds will develop hip dysplasia during their lifetime. This painful condition can cost $1,500-$6,000 to treat.

These dogs may also develop bloat, eczema, epilepsy, allergies, and keratitis which may require expensive medical treatment.

Because of this, you will want to ensure that you have enough money set aside to cover any emergency medical expenses.

In addition to unexpected medical costs you should also budget out $100-$200 for annual checkups.

Immunizations will cost you about $50-$100 when you first get your pup, and if you are adopting from a breeder, you will also have to pay for a spay/neuter surgery which costs $50-$200.

Insurance

To cover these unanticipated medical expenses you could consider insurance. Expect to pay $35-$50 per month to insure a German Shepherd.

Not all providers cover hereditary conditions linked to breed. PetPlan does.

Should You Buy A German Shepherd Puppy Or An Older Dog

The answer to this will be based on your preference and lifestyle. But there are also pros and cons to buying a puppy or an adult dog.

Adopt whichever feels right to you. Older dogs may already be housetrained, but youll have a longer time with a puppy.

If you intend to buy a German Shepherd, know that breeding dogs is more involved than just putting a sire and dam together.

Reputable breeders look into the health and genetics of the parents. When the puppies are born, they get them health-tested, too.

For example, the puppies get hip x-rays, elbow x-rays, thyroid tests, cardiac tests, and a canine ophthalmologist exam.

A good breeder also socializes, trains, and stimulates the puppies once theyre born. And they bring the parents to dog shows and get approved by the American Kennel Club .

In most cases, the breeder will ensure that the puppies are up-to-date on their vaccinations before going to their new owners.

Read Also: How To Train A 2 Year Old German Shepherd

What Are The Additional Costs To Consider When Owning A German Shepherd

1. Professional Grooming

Thankfully, grooming a German Shepherd is low-maintenance. Youll only need to buy a $20 brush to keep their loose fur under control and to keep their coat looking shiny and healthy.

You can bring them to a professional groomer once in a while if you cant bathe your pooch at home, but that cost isnt too expensive, and its not often.

2. Training and Socialization

Since they were bred to be working dogs, German Shepherds are relatively easy to train. They enjoy working and learning new things. However, that doesnt mean you can skip training and socialization.

Training classes, especially in obedience, will be ideal whether you want your pup to be a guard dog or a family pet.

You can expect to pay about $50 to $100 for training classes. Theyll do well in private classes, or group training will also socialize them with other dogs and people.

3. Others

Other costs include licensing for about $15 and microchipping for about $40. Then for dog walkers, which is about $20 per day, and boarding for about $40 per day, deworming for up to $50. And for pet insurance, expect an annual average of $565.

How Much Is A German Shepherd Cost & Info

April 14, 2021 by Andy

For a dog breed with a beautiful coat and perfect in size, youre probably wondering: How much is a German Shepherd? If youre thinking of purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, knowing the cost first would help you with an idea before making any further decisions. On average, an eight-week-old German Shepherd puppy costs between $500 to $20,000.

However, various factors dictate its price. The puppys cost depends on whether its purebred, where youre from, and the breeder. Its vital to know how much a German Shepherd puppy will cost before contacting a breeder. You can expect to find the cost implication of getting this breed, as well as why certain breeders charge more for German Shepherd puppies.

You May Like: What Are The Different Kinds Of German Shepherds

What Is The Cost Of A German Shepherd Dog Puppy

Lets take a closer look at the current price range for a purebred German Shepherd puppy.

As of the time of publication of this article, the average price to purchase a purebred German Shepherd dog puppy from a reputable breeder ranges from $1,200 to $20,000.

Why is there such a wide price range, you might be wondering? The price can vary based on a number of variables, including but not limited to these:

• Supply versus demand.
• Puppy coat color and conformation .
• Puppy gender.
• Show quality puppy vs pet quality puppy.
• Breeder costs.
• Puppy temperament

Are German Shepherds Expensive Factors Affecting The Cost Of A German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most expensive breeds out there and you may be wondering why. Ive mentioned earlier that pedigree and coat color affects their price, but they arent the only factors that come into play.

Breeders are not only responsible for producing GSD puppies, but they also need to ensure that these pups are healthy and in their best condition before their new owners take them home.

And of course, these medical expenses are not cheap, not to mention purchasing food and other basic needs.

Check out this comprehensive list of factors that affect the cost of a German Shepherd puppy:

Other minor factors can also impact the German Shepherd puppy price. These include the breeders location and the cost of shipping or transport.

Knowing these factors can also help you choose a trustworthy breeder who can offer you a puppy worth its price.

Read Also: How To Keep German Shepherd Busy

German Shepherd Veterinary Expenses For The Following Years

Leslie Brooks expects dog owners to bring their adult German Shepherd to the clinic for an annual checkup. Yearly visits are usually priced between $125-$265 which includes the exam, vaccines, and a heartworm test .

Additionally, Dr Brooks suggests continuing flea and heartworm prevention medication, which usually fall in the $100-$200 and $200-$300 ranges respectively for a dog this big.

Annual booster shots for the optional lifestyle vaccines presented above will add $15-$45 each to the medical bill. Finally, some dogs may require a fecal examination costing an extra $40-$50. This is mainly if the pet is exposed to wildlife and/or other dogs or shows inconsistent stool quality.

What Colours Can A German Shepherd Be

The German Shepherd dog breed can come in many colours including black, blue, brown, and white. German Shepherds have a nice coat that is the dense and medium length which offers great protection from the elements.

The German Shepherd dog breed is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world because of its temperament and intelligence. These dogs are not only loving but they also make great working dogs as well with their high levels of endurance. They have a double coat which can help them adapt to almost any climate. The most popular coulour for a German Shepherd is black or tan.

Don’t Miss: What Foods Are German Shepherds Allergic To

Adopting A German Shepherd Puppy From A Shelter

When you adopt a German Shepherd puppy from a shelter, this does not mean whatsoever that you are getting an inferior dog. In fact, if you are patient and diligently contact shelters in a wide geographic range, your chances of coming across a purebred GSD puppy are reasonably high.

The further that you are willing to travel, the more likely it is that you will find just the right GSD puppy for you. Lets now take a closer look at some aspects of adoption.

Adoption fees at a shelter are typically inclusive of the following:

• Veterinary wellness visit and exam
• Rabies vaccination
• Deworming
• Spaying or neutering

If you were to add up the cost of all of these services separately, and not part of an all-inclusive adoption fee, the price tag would invariably be considerably higher. Its easy to see why adopting from a shelter is a much more economical option should it be available to you.

Additionally, you can also feel good about adopting a GSD puppy from a shelter, as the proceeds acquired through adoption fees are used to help support the shelter from which you adopted the puppy. This allows a shelter to continue to rescue new animals and relocate them in safe homes.

One potential downside to adoption is the time and effort that it may take you to find the right pup for you. Unlike a breeder who is able to provide you with rather specific dates, there is no telling when a new GSD puppy may be available through a shelter.

How Much Is A Full Blooded German Shepherd

a pure bred german shepherd is usually registered with one of several major kennel club, which are the American kennel club , the United Kennel Club or the Canadian kennel club. The dogs that are register with these clubs are of three types.

The first type is the show type, these dogs are bred for their looks and conformation to the breed standard. The second type is the working type, these dogs are bred for their ability to work as police dogs, seeing eye dogs or therapy dogs. The third type is the pet quality, these are dogs that may not meet the exact standard of a purebred German shepherd but make good pets.

A full blooded german shepherd is a dog that has two purebred German shepherd parents. These parents must both be registered with a major kennel club in order for the offspring to be considered full blooded. The offspring will have all of the physical characteristics of a purebred German shepherd and will be able to participate in all activities open to purebred German shepherds, with the exception of conformation shows.

Full blooded german shepherds are generally quite rare due to the fact that most breeders dont have two registered full blooded working dogs. Also purebred German shepherds are often in high demand and can cost a lot of money so it is unlikely that a breeder would purposefully breed a dog that they could only sell as a pet.

Read Also: What’s The Average Lifespan Of A German Shepherd

Common German Shepherd Health Problems

German Shepherds are known to develop a few common health problems such as hip dysplasia and bloat. Hip Dysplasia is a problem that can be tested for before buying but if not detected the dog will have problems walking without pain at some point in its life. Bloat happens when the stomach fills up with gas which causes pressure to build on its other organs making them difficult to function. If the stomach is not relieved from this pressure it will die which makes detecting bloat important as once it is detected there are many steps you can take to help prevent it occurring again and save your dogs life.

Some health conditions stem from poor breeding practices, this can happen when you get your dog from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Always make sure you check the history of your dog before purchasing it, this should hopefully lower your lifetime costs as you will more easily be able to raise a healthy dog.

German Shepherd Dog Price

Although many people crave the adorableness of a puppy they do not consider the amount of time these bundles of energy require.

Purchasing a puppy is very similar to welcoming a newborn into your home.

You will likely lose out on a lot of sleep and will have to diligently train them. You will have to put up with peeing in the house and chewing during their teething phase!

If you want to skip the loveable yet chaotic puppy years then adoption is an incredible option.

When you choose to rescue a dog from a shelter you are giving them a home and most importantly a second chance.

There are millions of dogs in need of homes so strongly consider adopting rather than purchasing a puppy.

Adult German Shepherds from shelters typically cost $50-$300 and these dogs are often spayed/neutered, vaccinated and sometimes even micro chipped so you will not have to worry about those extra expenses.

Adopting an adult dog is much cheaper than buying a puppy and there are also other benefits.

Read Also: How To Get A Free German Shepherd Puppy

Health Problems To Be Aware Of

Not all German Shepherds will have the following health problems listed by Dr Brooks, but it is important to be aware of them when considering this breed.

This price range for hip dysplasia is very wide because of the variety of treatment options an owner may pursue. Conservative treatment including pain management and physical therapy is the cheapest alternative while total hip replacement costs about $5,000-$6,500 per affected hip. Hip dysplasia can affect a German Shepherd at any age.

Allergies : this depends if the pet has allergies throughout the year or just 1-2 flare ups per year. It would also depend on the owners decision to proceed with allergy testing and injections. Note that the pet may also need to be fed prescription food, which can easily be as high as $100 per month.

Degenerative myelopathy: genetic testing, medications, and/or a dog wheelchair would probably be $500 to $1,500. If a complete range of diagnostic testing is done to completely rule out any other condition that can mimic degenerative myelopathy, the cost can be up to $2,000-3,000.

Lumbosacral instability and degenerative disc disease: the lower end of the price range is if the owner elects a conservative treatment of pain medication, physical therapy, and/or a dog wheelchair. The high end on the other hand is applicable if surgical correction is pursued.

What Influences The Cost Of A German Shepherd

The actual cost of a German Shepherd puppy varies with a lot of factors. These factors include location, parentage, breeder, and life purpose. We say purpose because German Shepherds are brilliant and hardworking dogs. Their skills and readiness to learn to make it easy for them to specialize in diverse areas. It isnt much of a surprise to know that theyre higher in price than other dogs.

Don’t Miss: Do German Shepherds And Cats Get Along

German Shepherd Grooming Costs

• $0$100 per month

In terms of grooming, German Shepherds are lower maintenance than other heavy shedding breeds. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. Especially if you brush their teeth, clip their nails, and comb out their hair on your own, you shouldnt pay monthly bills.

With that being said, you may need to pay monthly bills if you are not able to trim the dogs nails or groom it yourself. This can cost about $66 to $100 a month, but this is avoidable if you buy the clippers and trimmers to use on your own.

Are There Other Costs With A German Shepherd Puppy

While the initial purchase of your German Shepherd might be the heftiest upfront cost you will have to fork over, there will, of course, be recurring expenses to raising and owning him.

Throughout his lifetime, your German Shepherd will incur costs for the following:

• Puppy food and dog food
• Dog treats
• Bedding, toys, leashes, bowls, and other supplies
• Obedience training or boarding
• Miscellaneous costs

Miscellaneous costs?

Thats right. Any prospective German Shepherd owner, or dog owner for that matter, should note that there are miscellaneous costs associated with owning a dog that will change depending on the owners lifestyle.

Don’t Miss: Are German Shepherds Working Dogs

Show Quality Vs Pet Quality Vs Rescue

When you begin your search, you need to determine what type of German Shepherd you want.

While these dogs possess different physical qualities, none are superior and all can make great pets. There are 3 options:

A Show Quality Purebred German Shepherd is bred to match the American Kennel Clubs breed standard. If you are interested in showing, this is the type of dog that you would want to purchase.

Due to the careful breeding and extra efforts that show quality breeders must adhere to, these dogs are the most expensive. For a description of the AKCs breed standard for German Shepherds, .

A Pet Quality Purebred German Shepherd will not adhere perfectly to the breed standard.

This does not make them any less purebred, this just means they would not qualify to be shown because their anatomy is not what the breed standard requires.

Pet quality german shepherd breeders should breed their dogs with the same care as show quality breeders but may do so for the love of the breed rather than specifically to show.

Pet quality dogs are generally a little less expensive than show quality dogs.

For further discussion about show quality dogs v. pet quality dogs, click here to watch a video on the topic.

A Rescue German Shepherd may be purebred or mixed with other breeds. Dogs of both types, show quality, and pet quality, are available for adoption.

All rescue dogs have one thing in common they do not have a home and they need one.