The price you pay for a German shepherd depends on a many factors including the quality of the breeder, the bloodlines, parent’s titles and certifications, guarantees etc. Prices can range anywhere from $50 all the way up to $85,000. Let’s take a look at our options;
$50 - $60 - Rescue Dogs
The first and least expensive option is to seek out one from the local rescue shelter. This is of course a very admirable way to go; there are many great dogs that need a loving home. However, one disadvantage to this is they are not able to guarantee personality or bloodline. You very well could be bringing home a dog that could have a history unknown even to the shelter.
$150 - $500 - Out of the paper / Back yard breeders
You can get one out of the Paper or from a back yard breeder (BYB) for roughly $150 - $500. When using this option, be very careful and do your research. Try and find out as much as you can about the dog and its parents. Watch closely to see it interacts with other dogs, children and strangers. Expect the seller to know very little about the dog’s history or genetic defects. Most in this range either offer a limited health guarantee or none at all.
$600 - $850 - Professional Qualified Breeders
This, in my opinion is the best option in terms of price and quality. When purchasing from a professional breeder, you can expect to have a health certificate and guarantee. TIP: Ask if the puppy is either AKC registered or OFA certified. Some breeders might not have either, but the best case scenario is to have one or the other.
American Kennel Club puppies will have family charts that show who their parents and ancestors were for several generations. A qualified breeder will have a copy of this family tree for you to view. With an AKC certification you can clearly see what type and quality of bloodline the pup came from.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certification maintains medical records on registered canines. They issue a rating based on x-rays of the dog's bone structure. German shepherds, being large working class dogs are prone to hip dysplasia. This genetic predisposition passes on to subsequent litters and dogs that present with dysplasia should not be bred.
$1,200 - $1,800 - More guarantees, more money
Paying a little more money, can give you a little more piece of mind. This price range I would still consider affordable for a family pet and if you have the money, I would certainly suggest it. In this range you can expect; personality and intelligence written guarantees, x-rayed dysplasia free hips with a guarantee, either AKC registered or OFA certified and in some cases a lifetime of breeder support. Having these guarantees and more of a piece of mind can potentially save you lots of money and heartache in the future.
$2,500 - $5,000 - Show dogs/breeding dogs
German shepherds to either show or breed with, having at least a "G" (good) conformation rating. They are Pure breed AKC German Shepherds with German bloodlines from a professional breeder. These breeders stand by their dogs and give Lifetime Support.
$25,000 – $85,000 - Trained protection and guard dogs
Buying and choosing a dog is an extremely important decision and one not to be taken lightly. Make sure your whole family are on board. Remember, to budget appropriately and that much of the cost of owning a dog occurs in the first year (fencing, food, toys, and obedience classes). Most importantly do your homework and buy from a good breeder.
Note: Prices are all in USD
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