How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost?

German Shepherd is the second most famous dog breed in the world, especially in the USA. The first is, obviously the Labrador Retriever.

The average cost of a German Shepherd in the international market is about $1000-$1500. As a family pet, the average price of a German Shepherd lies somewhere near $800.

German Shepherd Cost

Contents

Initial Cost of a German Shepherd

German Shepherd is the most loving and obedient pet dog famous for its athletic, fit body, and intelligence. These are some of the traits that increase the worth of a German Shepherd in the market.

The increase in the prices of a German Shepherd is marked with the exceptional linage. The show-quality dogs cost more than a normal one. The top-breed lines can be as expensive as $2300-$10,000.

The breeders with a good reputation in the market, while selling German Shepherds, also include in the expenses involved in the breeding, feeding, raising, showing, and training of the dogs. A puppy with proven parents as show dogs or hunters will be costing more than a puppy being an offspring of average parents.

Adult German Shepherds who posses the linage of a proven show or hunting dogs are more expensive than the puppies of the same breed. It is because of the extra costs involved in the raising of a puppy to its adulthood.

These adult dogs with proven linage as show dogs, hunters, or K9 are the most expensive German Shepherds. There is the least chance of risk involved while buying a German Shepherd with a proven linage.

You might be surprised by these prices and planning to change your plans but wait. Here is a good option for you. You can always adopt a German Shepherd puppy.

The prices mentioned above are the prices of a fully grown-up, adult, and sexually mature dogs. The puppies of German Shepherd come in quite reasonable prices that can be afforded easily.

The pet adoption can usually cost you about $350-$500. This price includes the vaccinations and registration od the puppy. This is a very reasonable price that will provide you a lovely pet for your home and in return, you will provide a healthy home environment to the newly adopted puppy.

A German Shepherd can also be adopted from a rescue organization or an animal shelter. It will cost you a small fee, sometimes less than $100 if you get it from an animal shelter, and $100 to $200 if you get it from a rescue organization.

Feeding Cost of a German Shepherd

Apart from the price that you pay for bringing a German Shepherd home, there are some other expenses related to the basic needs of a dog. The first thing you do after bringing a dog home is feeding. So, let us discuss how much does the feeding of a German Shepherd cost to the owner.

German Shepherd is a large dog with a fairly high appetite. You better know the feeding cost to get the right estimate of the cost of a German Shepherd.

An adult German Shepherd weighing 60-90 pounds and about 24 to 26 inches of height eats 3 to 5 cups of food in one day. These 3 to 5 cups make 1 pound of dog food.

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A high-quality dog food costs around $3 per pound. The dog food is available in a 30 pounds bag costing $55 and it takes approximately 120 cups of food for a dog. If a grown-up, healthy German Shepherd eats 4 cups of food per day, it means that a food bag of 30 pounds will last for 30 days. This food ratio costs a German Shepherd owner about $55 per month and $660 per year.

A bag of treats is also included in the food of your German Shepherd. A bag of treats cost $5-$10 and last for a month.[/box]

Vet Expenses

Keeping a dog as a pet is not an easy task. Especially when it comes to a German Shepherd, you have to take extra care of it and take it to a vet for regular checkups. It will ensure a healthy life of your dog with a bit longer lifespan. Let’s discuss here how much a vet will cost if you take your dog for regular checkups.

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs and do not fall ill so easily. However, there are some common ailments found in dogs. Some of them are genetic and hereditary diseases and some are caused by the growing age.

By providing healthy food, good exercise, proper time, and proper training of jumping, you can always reduce the chances of your German Shepherd getting sick and troubled.

One of the most common diseases found in a German Shepherd is hip dysplasia. This is a painful ailment that can turn into arthritis in the later years. According to the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals, around 20% of German Shepherds get ill due to hip dysplasia.

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Some common diseases and the cost of their treatment through a vet are as follows.

  • Hip Dysplasia, $1,500-$6,000
  • Cardiomyopathy, $500-$1,500
  • Aortic Stenosis,  $500-$1,500
  • Elbow Dysplasia,  $1,500-$4,000
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans, $2,000-$4,000
  • Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, $1,500-$7,500

These are the exceptional cases of getting your dog to a vet for these diseases. Usually, you need to spend a few hundred dollars for a regular checkup.[/box]

Training Cost

Training for a dog especially for a German Shepherd is really important. It is good if you decide to train your dog on your own to be obedient, friendly, social, and well mannered but you can take the help of a trainer for proper training. These training include 1-hour sessions for 4-8 weeks costing $50-$150.

Extra Supplies Cost

While estimating the cost of a German Shepherd, do not forget the extra supplies. When you adopt a dog, you will be needing a collar, toys, food and water bowls, a leash, a brush, and a bed.

For the good hygiene of your dog, you might be needing a dog nail trimmer, dog toothpaste, flea medicine, and a dander spray.

If you are planning to keep your dog in the backyard, you would also be needing an electric dog fence or wireless dog fence for protection.

All these things are going to add up in the total estimated cost of your German Shepherd. But it doesn’t mean that you rush to the superstore and buy all of these things on day one.

Buy the most essential things at the beginning and then over time, you will get to know the likings of your dog and then you can do the shopping accordingly.

Do not buy expensive items as you know that your dog is not going to complain about having an ordinary toy or not having a fancy bed. Do not overburden your self in the excitement of adopting a dog. It can frustrate you in the long run as your dog will grow.

Estimated Cost

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The above expenses suggest that in the first year of German Shepherd’s life as a puppy, the total cost is $650-$1150. The cost for an adult dog of about 10 to 12 years of age can be $7,000-$15,000.[/box]

Why should you get a German Shepherd?

German Shepherd is the second most popular dog breed in the entire world. Being friendly, intelligent, active, and obedient, a German Shepherd can be a good companion and the best pet to keep at home.

German Shepherds are the working dogs and get trained for herding, spying for police and military. The beautiful appearance of a German Shepherd attracts the viewers. Tan and black colored double coat, black mouth and face, pointed ears, healthy and tall dog become the center of attention immediately.

There is no doubt that German Shepherds are expensive. But, there are some features and traits of a German Shepherd that make it worth the price mentioned.

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[highlight color=”yellow”]Learn More About German Shepherds:[/highlight]

[one_sixth]German Shepherd Breed[/one_sixth][one_sixth]German Shepherd Growing Limit[/one_sixth][one_sixth]German Shepherd Life Span[/one_sixth][one_sixth]German Shepherd Jump[/one_sixth][one_sixth]German Shepherd as Service Dog[/one_sixth][one_sixth_last]German Shepherd Foods[/one_sixth_last][/box]

Aamir Iqbal

Aamir Iqbal

Aamir is crazy for pets, but not the traditional ones… In fact, he enjoys chilling with cold-blooded reptiles. He loves adding reptiles and amphibians, whom he terms as his family. His local community calls him, Amir the Beast Boy!

About Me

Aamir Iqbal, the devoted owner of PetsBeast blog website, has an extraordinary bond with animals. His deep affection and attachment to furry companions inspire him to share invaluable insights and create a loving community.

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