How Many Puppies Can A German Shepherd Have
Post ContentHide
The number of puppies that German Shepherds can give birth to vary quite a bit. On average, this breed can have eight puppies in a litter. This number doesnt tell you the full story, though. If youre planning to breed German Shepherds, here is a closer look at the litter size of these dogs and what you can expect:
Common Health Problems In German Shepherds
German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions.
German Shepherds are in a group of breeds classed as Category Three by The Kennel Club, which is the highest category of the health concerns due to their conformation. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips.
Some of the conditions German Shepherds may develop include:
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to.
What To Avoid When Buying A German Shepherd Puppy
Finding the right breeder is a challenge itself. Responsible breeders are few and far between compared to puppy mills. Other than looking on the AKC list of registered breeders, are there criteria you can refer to be sure the breeder is legitimate?
Yes, there is! Although it can make you hesitate if the breeder isnt AKC registered, they may still be a very responsible breeder. We have put together some tips to help you steer clear of breeders who do not give the proper care to their dogs.
Don’t Miss: Who Would Win In A Fight German Shepherd Or Pitbull
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.
What Is The Price Of A Blue German Shepherd
GSDs come in a variety of colors. Blue German Shepherds are a sub-breed of GSDs. Their hair is blue/black, and their eyes are in blue hues. A blue german shepherd dog can cost anywhere from $1300 to over $1700.
Blue German Shepherds are more unusual than the normal GSD, yet there are several breeders in the United States providing these sub-generic forms. As a result, the expense of picking up the dog adds to the total cost.
Also Check: How To Potty Train A German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Feeding Guide By Age
As mentioned above, the age and development stage of your German Shepherd will play a big part in what foods are best suited for him.
To make your research easier, were breaking down the GSD feeding guide into age-based categories. Simply find your dogs age or developmental stage below to find the right information at the right time.
Be sure to check with your vet before beginning, switching, or stopping a feeding program. The information provided here is for research purposes only. Always take your vets advice for your individual dogs needs.
Should I Get A Male Or Female German Shepherd
While it depends on your preferences, female German Shepherds are friendlier companions and make better family pets. They are easier to train and more sensitive. They are also smaller, have better agility, and also mature quicker than males. Male German shepherds are more territorial, protective, and likely to show aggression. This makes them more suitable as guard dogs.
Recommended Reading: How To Draw A German Shepherd Head
What Is The Cost Of Feeding A German Shepherd
The German Shepherd belongs to the category of large canine breeds with a voracious appetite therefore, you will need to carefully consider the food expenses.
The German Shepherd, which can weigh anywhere between 50 to 90 pounds depending on gender, age, height, and activity level, eats around 3 1/2 to 5 cups of food each day.
The average cost of feeding a German Shepherd puppy for the first year is estimated to be $780, as puppies consume approximately 320 lb. of dry food.
Adults consume 400 lb. each year on average, depending on the type of food and brand, resulting in a yearly cost of $860. Keep in mind that the price difference between budget and luxury products can be significant.
Yearly Food Cost Average Cost
Puppy $780
Adult Dog $860
Furthermore, dont forget about treats when looking at the German Shepherd food price! A bag costs between $5 and $10 and lasts about a month.
How Much Does Owning A German Shepherd Puppy Cost
Its not just the initial cost of purchasing the puppy. You have to think about the actual cost of owning a puppy, and how much you can expect to pay per year to maintain one.
Most German Shepherds are rather expensive to care for as they are large dogs that need a lot of food, attention and exercise.
However, for the most part, the average cost of owning a German Shepherd is about $1500 per year.
Don’t Miss: How Much Do You Feed German Shepherd Puppy
Bringing Home A Puppychecklist
We have discussed everything you need to know about bringinghome your new puppy, but the following checklist will make things much, mucheasier since you could literally mark things off from it when you prepare foryour German Shepherd puppy, and when you bring it home too.
These supplies canadd up in price, so you may wish to purchase some of them after you have thepuppy, but this is a good, thorough list of everything you will need for dog ownership.
|
A Proper Sized Crate |
Who Is The Best Human For A German Shepherd
German shepherds love being a part of a high-energy family or with someone who leads an active life. A sedentary lifestyle doesnt work for this herding breed, as they love to learn, play, and be a part of their human pack! German shepherd puppies can get distracted easily. Even though they love children and family life, while training, its best to have them focus only on the task theyre learning so as to avoid sensory overload.
German shepherds are a tried and true family dog. They love swimming , running, and romping in a big backyard. Theyre highly social and friendly dogs, so a busy household works well for them. They also need plenty of affection and snuggles. Due to their hunting heritage, they love to play fetch!
You May Like: Hypoallergenic Dogs German Shepherds
How Much Is A German Shepherd Puppy
Youre interested in getting a German shepherd puppy but dont know how much it will cost? Well, my friend, youve come to the right place because Ive gathered price lists from different German shepherd breeders and rescues in the US and put them all together in this one single post.
So, how much does a German shepherd puppy typically cost? The average cost of a German Shepherd puppy is somewhere between $2000 to $9,500 if youre buying from a breeder. If youre wanting to adopt or rescue, the average price is anywhere between $125 to $500.
Take a look at the following table below for a quick overview of different breeders and rescues and their price for German shepherd puppies.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Senior Years
Large breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, age faster than most smaller breed dogs. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds.
Because of this, its important for your dogs longevity and happiness to pay attention to signs of aging. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet.
Large breeds reach the older stage around half of their assumed life expectancy. A German Shepherds life expectancy is anywhere from 10 to 15 years, which means theyd be considered older and borderline senior at around 5 or 6.
This is a good time to ask your vet if you should make any changes to her diet or if its okay to continue with her normal adult meals.
Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. They move slower or less overall and therefore wont need as many calories each day.
Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD.
Since the calories in senior-specific dog food have already been adjusted, youll likely still be feeding the same measured amount based on your GSDs weight.
Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal.
You May Like: How Much Do You Feed German Shepherd Puppy
Where Can You Buy A German Shepherd Puppy
The best place to get a German Shepherd puppy is through a German Shepherd breeder, and it it best to go through a reputable one.
If you plan on showing your dog or using them as a working dog, you may want to purchase from a breeder that specifically deals with this.
Breeders are not your only option. Some other reputable places you may be able to pick up a German Shepherd is through a shelter or charity.
However, due to the demand of purebreds, youre more likely to find a German Shepherd mix than a purebred through these means.
Equally, you must remember that while a good thing to do, going through a shelter or charity often gives you little insight into the previous owner. Even if it was for a short while, you do not know how your potential puppy was previously treated.
Also Puppies are often rare in shelters but you can find them from time to time.
Some not as reputable places, and not recommended, are to buy a German Shepherd puppy at bespoke pet stores, online, and through places like Craigslist.
You may be able to find a perfectly healthy purebred puppy through these means, however, there are quite a few reports of horror stories from these purchases.
You may have a friend who has a litter of German Shepherd puppies for sale, and though they may not be a breeder, you might feel confident purchasing from them as you know the puppies are pure and healthy.
How Much Do White German Shepherds Cost
White German Shepherds are one of those large family dogs that stun everyone with their gorgeous appearance. But, does that influence their price?
While rare coat colors can make dogs more expensive, so can the dogs purpose. Show-quality dogs dont have the same price as dogs bred to be family pets.
Even though white GSDs can be registered with the AKC, the same cannot be said for the UKC, which only allows you to register your white GSD as a White Shepherd. These dogs are not a common sight at dog shows, so they are rarely of show quality.
Also, these pups are usually bred to have a softer and sweeter personality, so they are rarely used as working dogs. In fact, they are more likely to be skittish than aggressive!
Another important thing to consider is that despite the common belief, white German Shepherds arent rare. Sure, they arent a common sight, but they arent unusual.
Because of all of this, their price is rarely any higher than the price of a regular GSD, and these dogs can also be found at a price of around $1000.
However, keep in mind that many white dogs have a plethora of health issues because genes for the white coat color can also cause blindness and deafness. So, while the initial cost is the same, you may end up with many expensive vet bills afterward.
Don’t Miss: When To Start Training Your German Shepherd
Why Is Exercise So Important For Puppies
Just as humans need to lead an active life to stay healthy, puppies need to expend the amount of excess energy built up in their little bodies to stay mentally and physically fit. Here are all the reasons why exercise is important for your little fur-ever friend.
Active Puppies Stay Fit for Longer
You may be thinking that it is a little too early to start worrying about pet aging, but the truth is that exercise helps keep your puppys mind sharp and prevents age-related illnesses in adulthood.
Setting a workout routine early on helps your dog stay on its paws for longer. Just as with humans, a consistent physical routine can keep the body flexible and ward off age-related stiffness.
Exercise Combats Health Problems
Theres an entire list of health-associated risks that your puppy may develop due to inactivity. Routine exercise can help ward off obesity, digestive problems, and promote heart and muscle health.
As a matter of fact, many of these problems are co-related. For instance, if your puppy is overweight, this can lead to cardiovascular problems and cause constipation.
Moreover, when your dog is exposed to the suns full spectrum of rays, it will soak up the ever-important Vitamin D, which is crucial for bone development and growth of puppies. Just 30 to 40 minutes of sunshine can also help kill bacteria and fungi.
Helps to Avoid Destructive Behaviors
Active Puppies Are Social Puppies
How Much Does A German Shepherd Cost
German Shepherds remain to be one of the most sought-after breeds of dogs. The characteristics of this dog naturally comes with a hefty price tag, depending on its lineage, training, and background. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $15,000.
German Shepherds that came from shelters can cost anywhere from $50 to $300. The fees are dependent on what vaccinations or services the puppy has already had. Oftentimes, GSD pups that came from shelters already had a comprehensive check-up with a Veterinarian and various vaccinations. This could include rabies vaccination, deworming, neutering or spaying, tick/flea treatment, etc.
Meanwhile, the price of German Shepherd thats meant to be a family pet is around $800 $1500. However, that is just the ballpark figure. As explained earlier, there are several factors considered relative to the price of this dog. The dog breeder can explain the entire background of the dog, which includes medical records, training, skills and capabilities, certification, warranties, and the like.
Read Also: Silverback German Shepherd
Is The Age Of The Stud Important
It may not often be taken into consideration, but the age of the stud matters as well. This is because its fertility can decline with age, causing the stud to produce less sperm. Due to this, they will not be able to fertilize as many eggs, causing a smaller litter.
Most dogs reach sexual maturity when they are a year old, but most breeders wait until the dog is older to begin using them. As for how old is too old, most experts would agree that it is best not to use a dog that is more than eight years old for the best results.
The Cost Of Training A German Shepherd
According to dog trainer and animal behaviorist Alexa Diaz, Ph.D., as large and high-energy dogs, German Shepherds would benefit from professional training. To this end, Alexa highly recommends private training for positive leadership and group lessons for basic obedience and socialization with other people and dogs outside the home.
Generally, 5-7 private lessons should be enough for a German Shepherd and will cost $750-$1,000 to which you should add five 1-hour group sessions that will likely be $150 to $200.
| Training Cost | |
| $900 $1,200 | $1,050 |
Picking up training books can be an inexpensive help, provided you have the time to commit to training your German Shepherd.
Read Also: Where To Buy German Shepherd Husky Mix
Buying From The Uk Vs The Us
Whether you decide to purchase your dog in the UK or in the U.S. is also important price-wise.
For example, youre likely to pay a little bit less for a GSD in the UK compared to one in the U.S. In the UK, the average price for a GSD is around $800, which is a bit less compared to the U.S.
This is because German Shepherds are more popular in the U.S. compared to the UK.
Of course, if youre from the U.S., this price difference alone isnt enough for you to want to import a GSD. There are plenty of importing costs and taxes, and this can end up being anywhere between $150 and $1000, with most prices being in the $300 to $500 range.
How To Exercise Your German Shepherd Puppy
The right amount of exercise will keep your puppy fit. You can exercise your puppy by taking it on walks, teaching it tricks, swimming, or playing fetch. It is also recommended that you take your puppy to obedience school.
This way not only will your puppy learn good behavior, but you will even understand how you can promote discipline with your pet.
Remember, we guaranteed you some pointers about the best types of exercise for your German Shepherd puppy? Well, its about that time. Heres a list of exercises, just like we promised.
Take Your Puppy On A Walk
Puns aside, a walk in the park is just the type of exercise a German Shepherd puppy requires. It not only allows your pup to get its exercise, but it also helps them adapt to new surroundings and strangers. Plus, walking is gentle on the pups joints and ligaments. This form of exercise is more suitable for puppies less than 5 months in age.
Take Your Puppy to Obedience School
Teaching Your Puppy Tricks
Another right way to exercise your puppy is to teach it tricks. You can start with simple tricks like sit and stay.
Slowly, when your German Shepherd puppy gets the hang of things, move on to another, more difficult trick like play dead. It might seem like an easy option, but trust us, itll be an excellent way to expend the pups energy and yours.
Run with Your Puppy
When your pup is disciplined enough to walk on its own, slowly introduce it to running. Remember the guideline though you dont want to rush it.
Read Also: Would A German Shepherd Beat A Pitbull