Also known as Alsatians, German Shepherds are big, loyal dogs. As their name implies, they were bred originally for herding livestock. They first emerged in late 19th century Germany as the result of cross-breeding efforts spearheaded by a cavalry officer. Blending traits from various German dogs, the German Shepherd proved to be superior as a working dog, excelling in many different fields. German Shepherds are used by many militaries, police, and customs agents to detect people and contraband.
Today they are known for their loyalty and friendly demeanor. Given the proper care, they are great family pets and generally do quite well with small children. German Shepherds are very popular dogs, despite the financial and time commitments they demand.
German Shepherd puppies bred as pets may cost anywhere from $500 to $1500, with an average price tag of around $800.
Cost of Buying German Shepherds from Different Places
So, you want to add a devoted, loving friend to the family, and you’ve decided- quite rightly- that a German Shepherd fits the bill. Where should you get your new furry friend? Luckily, there are plenty of options available for the would-be German Shepherd owner. It’s a good idea to weigh a few different options before jumping right in, so here’s some information on prices of German Shepherds from different sources .
1. Rescue Homes
- Average Cost: $300-$400
Many people find they can’t afford to keep their German Shepherd, and they end up in rescue homes. Adopting from a rescue home may be a good option for those who want to open their home to a dog that needs one. Most rescues take care of vaccinations and other medical care, so there is an adoption fee, but it is substantially smaller than what a breeder or pet store would charge. The cost of getting German Shepherds from rescue homes cost around $300 – $400.
If you aren’t worried too much about your German Shepherd’s breeding, this may be an attractive option, as you save a substantial sum in initial cost, plus the time and money involved in the vaccinations your dog needed can also be counted out.
While this method has its upsides, some areas may not have a rescue home nearby that has German Shepherds available for adoption. It can be a bit of a waiting game, but for the patient, it can pay off in the form of a loving, loyal friend.
2. Internet Sites
- Average Cost: $350 or so to adopt; around $800 from a seller
For the tech-savvy, looking online for your new pup may be an appealing route to choose. There are many benefits to a partial or fully online process. The ease of access and convenience are selling points for many people; however, others find it a bit impersonal to try to pick a new family member without making their acquaintance first.
There are two sorts of places to get German Shepherds looking online. The first is adoption from any of several shelters. This is a great choice for those, like with rescue homes, who want to open their home while also saving a good deal of money. As with any adopted dog, there’s the potential for them to have some baggage from previous owners, but with a good training regimen and plenty of attention, most of those problems are manageable.
The second online source for German Shepherds is private sellers. Some people who can’t keep their dog or their dog’s puppies will sell them online. Often, platforms like Craigslist are used for this sort of sale. Check your local online classified if you’d like to buy from a seller in your community.
3. Breeders
- Average Cost: $1000 – $3000
Buying from a breeder is by far the most expensive way to get a German Shepherd, but it comes with the assurance of pedigree. The price of German Shepherds from breeders cost anywhere from $1000 – $3000. Some owners prefer purebred dogs, and there’s no more sure way to get a purebred than going to a breeder. Most breeders cover puppies’ first round or two of shots, so you’ll only have to worry about getting your German Shepherd the remaining ones.
The cost of buMany breeders allow buyers to meet their new dog’s parents. Often, they also provide the health backgrounds of the parents, which helps assure you of the long-term health of your German Shepherd. This goes a long way to setting to rest concerns about the health problems that sometimes come with purebreds. Larger purebred dogs are more susceptible to hip dysplasia, so even with a good bill of health, you should watch out for hip problems.
Ongoing Costs of Maintaining German Shepherds
It’s important to consider the day-to-day cost of owning a German Shepherd, which the ASPCA estimates at approximately $1500 per year. Not only will owning one requires a substantial financial commitment, but you’ll also have to invest some serious time to ensure the physical and emotional wellbeing of your dog. Here are some of the costs you can expect when you bring a German Shepherd home.
1. Medical Expenses
- Average Cost: Roughly $375 to spay/neuter; $500 per year
Properly caring for your German Shepherd can be a bit pricey. This is especially noticeable when you look at medical expenses. You’ll have to get your dog vaccinated, which costs $75-$100 Even young, healthy German Shepherds need regular check-ups, teeth cleanings, and the like. Plus, you’ll likely want to spay/neuter your new friend. While it’s a one-time expense, it can cost a fair amount, so be prepared for the bill.
You’ll also want to account for the potential medical cost of German Shepherds such as deworming, heartworm preventative medicine, and flea and tick repellents. These will be consistent expenses throughout the life of your dog. They help prolong and improve the health of your German Shepherd.
You should take your German Shepherd in at least one a year for a regular physical to be sure your dog isn’t developing any serious health conditions. In larger breeds of dogs, hip dysplasia is more common and has to be monitored vigorously. If you notice your German Shepherd walking funny, it may be a good bet to get it in for a check-up, even if it’s a bit early.
2. Training
- Average Cost: $100-$150
Obedience training is very important for the long-term health and wellbeing of your German Shepherd. Putting in the time both during classes and at home is key to making sure that the training sticks, so you’ll need some treats handy to help reinforce your dog’s good behavior. The cost of German Shepherds for classes is around $100 – $150.
German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs. They are generally easy to train as a result. If you’re experienced with dogs, you may want to try and train your German Shepherd yourself and save on the training fees. You’ll want to compensate for the lack of interaction with other dogs by taking your pooch somewhere your German Shepherd can be social and romp around with other dogs.
3. Owner’s Time
- Average Cost- A few hours each day, plus time for appointments, training classes, etc.
While not a cost per se, it’s important to be sure you can consistently devote the necessary time to caring for your German Shepherd. All dogs are reliant on their owners for their basic needs, which can be a time-consuming responsibility. Consider the time commitment that owning a German Shepherd involves before bringing one home.
How much time your German Shepherd needs will vary with each dog’s personality and temperament. Here are the main things you’ll be spending your time on with your German Shepherd:
- Training and Socialization– German Shepherds need to be trained properly to be well behaved. Making sure they regularly socialize with people, especially your family, and other dogs is very important to your dog’s emotional health.
- Healthcare– Annual trips to the vet are integral for maintaining your German Shepherd’s physical health. You can expect these visits to take 1-2 hours, depending on how far you have to travel.
- Exercise– German Shepherds have a lot of energy, so getting them plenty of exercise is key to keeping yours happy and healthy. Since they were bred to herd livestock, they need plenty of room and opportunity to run. If German Shepherds don’t get enough of their energy burned off with daily exercise they tend to act out.
I hope that this article on price of German Shepherds and the cost of owning one was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Dog Category!
