What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd?
Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. Special colorings such as the Panda Shepherd, Isabella German Shepherd, black German Shepherd, dogs with one or two blue eyes or the extremely rare Albino German Shepherd can be as expensive as $5,000.
While it is tempting to get a color that nobody else has – don’t let looks alone guide your decision on your future puppy. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look.
In recent years, a few breeders have produced so-called “Miniature German Shepherds”. Breeders of Miniature German Shepherds charge extremely high prices for their puppies, starting at $2,000 and ranging up to $4,500 for the smallest dogs. It is important to note that there is no such breed as a Miniature German Shepherd registered with the AKC. These dogs are mutts (German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds). Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight.
The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles – from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails.
Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot!
Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal.
If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. Some of them sell so-called “started dogs”, which means dogs that have already received some obedience, protection and tracking training. Started dogs can be as pricey as $5,000-$7,000.
Working German Shepherds that have been fully trained can be extremely expensive, up to $20,000. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience.
Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. Flying a 2-3 month old puppy across the Atlantic costs up to $2,000 – and that is on top of the purchase price of a puppy. A pup from high-achieving parents might already be $2,000 – which puts you at $4,000 by the time the dog arrives in the US. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup.
Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs?
You will be able to find GSD puppies who cost much less than $1,500. The question is – do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament?
On Craigslist or similar classified ads, many dog owners sell puppies from “oops litters” (unplanned litters) or puppies that they bred on purpose without any health testing. These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e.g. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. They might be as cheap as $200. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs!
While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. The disposition to be anxious, stressed, reactive or “over the top” can be passed on by parents to their offspring. Responsible breeders will take the parents’ character into account and only pair two dogs who make a good match not only in their body type, but also temperament.
Unfortunately, many irresponsible breeders do not take the parents’ behavior into account when deciding which pairing to make. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred (and more expensive) dog.
Where Should I Look For My Next Purebred German Shepherd?
The sources available to you to find a German Shepherd are nearly endless, thanks to the internet:
What’s the price of a German Shepherd puppy?
After years of admiring these beautiful dogs, you are considering getting a purebred German Shepherd of your own.
We will discuss what you need to know about the purebred German Shepherd’s price and tips on where and how to find a reputable breeder.