How much should German Shepherd puppies cost? Expert Advice

Initial Cost of German Shepherd Ownership

Now that you know all about the German Shepherd price, you can think of the other necessary purchases that come after buying or adopting them.

We all know that the initial costs don’t come cheap, so I’ve also included a breakdown of these purchases.

In general, it’s a good idea to be prepared for these initial expenses before bringing your GSD puppy home:

Food and Treats: German Shepherds are large dogs with a big appetite. You should prepare a hefty meal of high-quality dog food and treats once your pup arrives. A bag of dry kibble and dog treats can cost you around $100 to $120.

Food and Water Bowls: To feed your dog the right portion of food and keep them hydrated after each meal, a good quality food and water bowl should be purchased. The average price range for these bowls is $15 to $35.

Bed: For a comfortable and uninterrupted sleep, your GSD should have a durable bed. This is one of the things you should invest in to prevent joint-related issues like hip dysplasia in the future. A good dog bed costs around $50 to $200.

Crate: When your GSD is still a puppy, it’s best to have a dog crate where they can be isolated during house training. This will also help prevent separation anxiety that often results in destructive behavior. A sturdy crate costs around $60 to $500 each.

Leashes and Collars: A good-quality leash and collar are needed for walking your purebred puppy. These are often priced at around $15 to $50. Collars can even be customized to have your dog’s name and your contact number in case they go missing.

Toys: While your GSD puppy is growing up, they will benefit greatly from chew toys as a way to develop their facial muscles and prevent floppy ears. These toys usually cost around $30 to $50.

Grooming Essentials: Whether you own a long-haired or short-haired German Shepherd, it’s important to have a hairbrush to remove tangled hair on a regular basis. Brushes, nail clippers, shampoo, and other grooming supplies can be bought for $40 to $180.

Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Most breeders also include the cost of deworming in the price of their puppies. If not, you can have them dewormed professionally. This, along with flea and tick medications, costs around $50 to $200.

Initial Vet Visits: When you get a German Shepherd puppy, you need to take it to a vet for an initial check-up. This will ensure that your pup grows up to be a healthy adult dog. You need to prepare a few hundred dollars for vet expenses, which often range from $100 to $300.

Initial Vaccine Shots: Breeders often give the first required shots for your German Shepherd puppy, but after that, you need to shoulder the cost of the succeeding vaccine shots. This can cost you around $75 to $200.

Neutering or Spaying: Most breeders and rescue organizations cover the cost of dog sterilization. However, if they did not include this service, you will need to take your GSD to a vet for surgery. Expect to pay around $50 to $500 for this procedure.

Dog License: Like with other dog breeds, getting a dog license for your GSD is essential. Having this will increase the chances of your dog being returned to you safely in case it gets lost. Dog licensing organizations often charge around $10 to $20 for a dog license.

Microchip: Regardless if you purchase your GSD as a guard dog or family pet, it will greatly benefit from microchipping. A microchipped dog is more likely to be returned to its owner than a dog without one. Microchip implantation usually costs between $40 and $60.

Miscellaneous Supplies: When out for walks, German Shepherd dogs may unexpectedly do their dirty business. This is why owners should invest in cleaning tools like poop scoopers and urine cleaners. Expect to pay $15 to $30 for these items at a low-cost pet store.

The table below summarizes all the things you need to purchase initially, along with their price range.

You can use this as a puppy checklist when you’re shopping for your German Shepherd puppy:

Type of Expense	Cost
Food and Treats	$100 – $120
Food and Water Bowls	$15 – $35
Bed	$50 – $200
Crate	$60 – $500
Leashes and Collars	$15 – $50
Toys	$30 – $50
Grooming Essentials	$40 – $180
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications	$50 – $200
Initial Vet Visits	$100 – $300
Initial Vaccine Shots	$75 – $200
Neutering or Spaying	$50 – $500
Dog License	$10 – $20
Microchip	$40 – $60
Miscellaneous Supplies	$15 – $30
Total Initial Cost	$650 – $2,445

The estimated initial cost of owning a German Shepherd puppy is around $650 to $2,445, exclusive of the German Shepherd puppy cost.

If this is not your first dog, you can recycle your old dog’s items to cut down on the expenses. Other money-saving tips will be discussed in a separate section, so keep on reading!

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a German Shepherd From a Rescue?

If you are on a tight budget, you can choose to adopt a German Shepherd puppy or adult German Shepherd from a shelter or rescue. The adoption fee typically ranges between $150 and $300.

This amount usually covers the cost of alteration, vaccination, deworming, and microchipping, so you don’t have to worry about the dog’s overall health.

To secure a German Shepherd from a shelter or rescue, check out this detailed guide for tips on how to get an easy application approval from any rescue organization.

Different Purpose Means Different Cost For German Shepherds

Let’s take it down a notch – when we say purpose, we’re simply referring to the role you expect your companion to fill. The truth is that many German Shepherd puppies are not bought solely to live in a family-like environment. Often, they have another role waiting for them after they’re purchased. For instance, you’ll spend less on getting an average German Shepherd dog versus a police dog. Generally, they’ll cost between $500 to $1,500. German Shepherd puppies bred from show-quality parents, however, will cost much more.

In summary, you’re paying extra for the privilege of getting a dog with a more superior lineage and cleaner health history. These German Shepherd puppies are less likely to deal with health issues later on in life. Due to this reason, it’s not uncommon to get German Shepherd puppies raised as show dogs for around $1,500 to $5,000. However, the most expensive German Shepherd puppies are the ones that are bred to become police dogs. The puppies in this category are generally given the required regimented training and are sold between $15,000 to $20,000.

What’s the price of a German Shepherd puppy?

For a dog breed with a beautiful coat and perfect in size, you’re probably wondering: “How much is a German Shepherd?” If you’re 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 puppy’s cost depends on whether it’s purebred, where you’re from, and the breeder. It’s 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.

If you intend to buy an eight-week-old German Shepherd, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,500. Of course, the actual price differs from location to location and between different breeders. In this article, we’ll share the average price breeders usually charge, which includes vaccinations and a German Shepherd’s health bill. You can get older German Shepherds that’ll cost less than eight-week-old puppies.

The only difference between older versus younger German Shepherds is that they’ll already have habits developed. The main reason for the price difference is because many people prefer raising puppies. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can get a GSD puppy from a shelter. Thankfully, there are numerous shelters with gooey-eyed German Shepherds in search of a loving home.