Intro
A German Shepherd Dog, or GSD, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. You will commonly see them working as police or service dogs due to their disciplined and easily trained personalities. Due to these traits, they also make great additions to families and can act as the perfect guard dog.
If you are interested in bringing a GSD puppy home, it is important to be well-informed on information about the breed such as health conditions, breed standards, and average price associated with getting a German Shepherd.
The cost will depend on a few different factors, such as where your German Shepherd comes from. For example, animal shelters will not have the same high prices as reputable breeders.
These beautiful dogs tend to cost a lot of money upfront, but many pet owners will agree it is worth it in the long run for a trustworthy companion.
- Let’s Go
- Is a German Shepherd Dog Right For You?
- The Personality of a German Shepherd
- Taking Care of a German Shepherd
- Training
- Grooming
- Things You Should Know Before Buying a German Shepherd
- How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost?
- Factors Affecting the Cost of a German Shepherd Puppy
- Here’s a full list of all the elements that go into the initial purchase price of a German Shepherd puppy:
- How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a German Shepherd?
- Give The Puppy A Chance
- Additional Costs of Owning a Dog
- Initial Expenses of Owning a Dog
- Emergency Expenses of Owning a Dog
- Summary:
- The Wrap
Let’s Go
In this article, we will discuss whether a new puppy is right for you, the cost of a German Shepherd puppy, and the other costs associated with bringing home a dog. Keep reading for a helpful financial breakdown for a German Shepherd Dog.
Is a German Shepherd Dog Right For You?
Before you rush into a large commitment like bringing home a dog, you should spend some time learning about the breed to determine if this is a good idea for your family.
Finding a dog breed that matches your lifestyle and personality is a key element in ensuring your dog lives a happy life. Here’s a little more information on the personality of a German Shepherd and what it takes to care for one.
The personality of a German Shepherd
According to the American Kennel Club, German Shepherds are loyal, confident, courageous, steady, and intelligent dogs. German Shepherds make great family dogs because they are protective of their owners, great with children, and affectionate with family members.
GSD puppies have high energy, especially in the first year. Because of their past as working dogs, it is important to give your GSD enough exercise. Even adult German Shepherds will require plenty of activities and mental stimulation.
Taking Care of a German Shepherd
The most important thing to consider when getting a puppy is the time that will go into properly taking care of them. As your puppy grows into an adult dog, it will need a lot of time and attention dedicated to meeting its basic needs such as food and water, proper exercise and stimulation, grooming, and vet visits to ensure they are living a happy and healthy life.
Training
As we know, a German Shepherd is a highly athletic, high-energy dog breed. To keep them in good shape and mentally stimulated, you should engage in daily walks, play sessions, and even training activities. A dog who is not properly exercised can turn to destructive behavior such as chewing, ripping, or scratching.
German Shepherds are eager to please their owners, which makes them highly susceptible to training. Whether you enroll your German Shepherd in professional K-9 training that police dogs undergo or decide to take training into your own hands at home like many other German Shepherd owners, it is important to stay consistent.
German Shepherds are large dogs and should be trained to avoid any dangerous situations. Dog owners should always train with positive reinforcement rather than punishment methods.
Grooming
German Shepherd Dogs have a thick, double coat of hair that will require regular grooming sessions. It is a good idea to brush your GSD once or twice a week and schedule monthly baths depending on their level of activity.
A purebred German Shepherd’s coat color can vary between the standard colors of Black, Black and Cream, Black and Tan, White, Black and Silver, and Sable.
Things You Should Know Before Buying a German Shepherd
After deciding that a German Shepherd is the right breed for you, there are still things to be wary of when purchasing a dog. If you are looking for a purebred German Shepherd, you will likely be going through a dog breeder.
Not all German Shepherd breeders are created equal. Some responsible breeders have a safe breeding process with ample health checks, and “backyard breeders” or puppy mills are only concerned with making money instead of bringing healthy dogs into the world.
Going the extra mile to find a good breeder will help to avoid owning a dog with costly health problems such as hip dysplasia or degenerative myelopathy.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost?
The price range of purebred German Shepherd puppies from a reputable breeder is around $800 to $3,500. Show-quality dogs, which are the most expensive German Shepherds, can cost anywhere between $6,500 and $10,000.
The best place to get a GSD puppy is from a reputable German Shepherd breeder that scans for health issues through thyroid tests, cardiac tests, and x-rays.
A good breeder will also socialize your puppy to get them accustomed to new people, children, and other dogs so they can be well-behaved adult German Shepherds.
Additionally, you will receive registration papers for your puppy that enrolls them with the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club which is needed to compete as show dogs.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a German Shepherd Puppy
Purebred German Shepherds are one of the most expensive breeds, and you may be left wondering what determines the initial cost of these dogs. The cost of a German Shepherd depends on several factors, including the breeder’s reputation, the coat color of your GSD, and even the type of German Shepherd.
Here’s a full list of all the elements that go into the initial purchase price of a German Shepherd puppy:
Bloodline
German Shepherds with purebred show quality parents are going to be more expensive than GSDs bred to be simple companion dogs. The reasoning behind this is that breeders invest money into specialized training, diet, and exercise routines for these dogs to keep them in the best shape for competitions.
It will also cost more for a dog with a healthy bloodline. Breeders who use sick, unhealthy, or dogs with hereditary conditions will charge less for their dogs to make people think they are getting a great deal. Unfortunately, these dogs will require costly medical treatments later on in life.
Breeder’s Reputation
A breeder who is dedicated to preserving the breed’s healthy bloodline will receive recognition and certification. This comes with experience and true love for the German Shepherd breed.
If a breeder has proven to be reputable by using the best breeding practices, it makes sense that their puppies will be at a higher price than others for the guarantee of quality and safe practices. You should always choose reputable breeders that are recognized by various kennel clubs and organizations.
Coat Color
The typical colors of a German Shepherd are sable, black and tan coat, and black and red. As you can probably guess, GSDs with rare coat colors like white, black, and blue are priced higher than standard colors which are more common.
To achieve the rare coat colors, breeders must use a more selective breeding process using parent dogs that will produce those colors. Blue and white German Shepherds are among the rare. See the chart below for the details on the cost of a GSD based on its coat color:
| Coat Color | Puppy Price |
| Standard German Shepherd (Black and Tan, Sable, Black and Red) | $1,000 to $1,500 |
| White German Shepherd | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Black German Shepherd | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Blue German Shepherd | $2,500 to $4,500 |
Size
GSDs are categorized as large dogs with a relatively standard size. Most German Shepherds are 22-26 inches tall and weigh between 50 to 90 pounds.
Some people advertise miniature German Shepherds or giant German Shepherds sold at a higher price for being rare. It is important to be aware that these are not purebred, but rather mixed breeds that have one GSD parent.
Training Received
Some breeders go the extra step to provide early socialization and potty training to their GSD puppies. Since this is an extra service, these breeders will charge more for their puppies at the initial cost. This may work out to be cheaper in the long run if you plan on enrolling your puppy in training classes.
Registration Papers
If you want your GSD to compete as a show or competition dog, it will need to be registered. Some breeders go the extra step to pre-register their German Shepherd puppies to the American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club (UKC) and factor this into their prices.
If you are not interested in registering your puppy, you can ask the breeder to skip this step and save the extra dollars.
How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a German Shepherd?
Adopting a German Shepherd can be an alternate route to take if you are on a tight budget but still want to enjoy the companionship of a new dog in the home. There are plenty of dogs in local shelters in need of homes, although you may have a little trouble finding a purebred German Shepherd puppy.
The most common finds in shelters are adult German Shepherds or GSD mixed puppies. Your best option is to get in contact with GSD-specific shelters or rescues and get on a waiting list and start the application process so you are ready to go as soon as your future best friend gets there.
Depending on the shelter, you will have to pay adoption fees ranging between $150-$500. This one-time cost will likely cover costs associated with the dog’s overall health such as the cost of alteration, vaccination, deworming, and microchipping.
Give The puppy A Chance
It is important to note that adopting a dog may come with some different hurdles than a fresh puppy who has not experienced other owners, training, or even poor living conditions which can cause personality issues.
If you are nervous about bringing home an adult dog that may not fit well in your space, most shelters will let you do a trial run to get the dog accustomed to your schedule, home, and family before fully committing to adoption.
Additional Costs of Owning a Dog
In addition to the initial cost of bringing a dog home, whether, through a breeder or an adoption shelter, you will face some other costs as well. To be a responsible pet parent, you should budget for initial expenses, regular monthly expenses, and emergency expenses for your dog. Here is a list of the most common costs associated with owning a dog:
Initial Expenses of Owning a Dog
- Crate – $60-$150
- Brush – $8-$15
- Toys – $25-$100
- Bed – $50-100
- Water and Food Bowls – $10-$20
- Nail Clipper – $7-$10
- Microchip – $45-$65
- ID Tag and Collar – $25-$50
- Spay/Neuter – $80-$500
- Ultrasound – $250-$500
- Initial Vaccine Shots –
Monthly Expenses of Owning a Dog
- Food – $50-$150
- Treats – $10-$30
- Bones or Toys – $10-$30
- Grooming – $100-$300
- Regular Vet Visits – $50-$200
- Flea and Tick Prevention – $50
- Pet Insurance – $50-$100
Emergency Expenses of Owning a Dog
Unexpected medical costs and trips to the vet can occur throughout your dog’s life. Your dog could injure themselves, ingest something they are not supposed to, or develop health conditions related to age.
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7-10 years of age, and these emergency expenses could happen at any time. It’s best to budget $1,000 per year for your pet should anything happen to them.
Summary:
To summarize, bringing home a new pet is a big responsibility, both when it comes to time and finances. A German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular breeds in the United States and is in very high demand for puppies. Before bringing home a new puppy, it is important to understand the commitment you are making.
German Shepherds fall within the working class of dogs, meaning they need lots of exercises and mental stimulation. As a German Shepherd owner, you will spend a lot of time on walks, playing fetch, and other activities to make sure your GSD’s needs are met.
The Wrap
When it comes to the financial commitment to owning a dog, you will need to budget for the initial costs, monthly costs, and emergency costs that can occur throughout your pup’s life. If you are getting your GSD puppy from a breeder, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,500.
The factors that go into the cost of a puppy can include bloodline, coat color, and registration. To save money, you can opt to adopt a German Shepherd. This is a much cheaper option, but sometimes difficult to find a purebred puppy. Adopting a German Shepherd costs between $150-$500.
We hope you enjoyed this thorough guide to the cost of a baby German Shepherd! Thanks for reading!
Sources
https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.com/what-does-it-cost-to-purchase-a-purebred-german-shepherd/
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