Do you want to add a German Shepherd puppy to your family but aren’t sure how much they cost? I contacted 21 breeders to find out current German Shepherd prices.
On average, German Shepherds cost $2000 from a reputable breeder who has health tested the parents and ensures sound temperament. You can buy puppies for a lot less; however, be prepared that they may not be purebred or have health issues, as decent breeders charge more for a better quality puppy.
As stated, I have taken this figure from a random selection of breeders, as shown below. The price range of GSD puppies can be from $800 to $5,000, but I took the lowest price of the range to get the average. The highest-priced pups are due to their pedigree or if they are show line.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- 21 examples of current German Shepherd prices.
- Why German Shepherds are expensive.
- How to find a reputable German Shepherd breeder.
- Interesting tips to save more money on a German Shepherd.
I aim to help you better understand German Shepherd puppy prices to help you choose what you can afford.
Welcome to my up-to-date guide on how much a German Shepherd costs. Let’s begin!
How To Find a German Shepherd Breeder
Before finding out how much German Shepherd puppies cost, you need to know how to find a good breeder.
When searching for a breeder, you want to make sure they are reputable, honest, and ethical. We certainly want to avoid unethical breeders such as those that run puppy mills. But where do you start, you may ask?
Find a German Shepherd breeder by searching national or local kennel clubs’ websites and GSD clubs for registered and reliable breeders. Consult trainers, groomers, or vets for breeder references. Ask persons who already own a German Shepherd to recommend and refer you to their breeder.
So, an excellent place to start is the AKC Marketplace or the UK Kennel Club’s Find a Puppy. Next, try national and local German Shepherd clubs for reliable references or search their websites for registered breeders. See as an example the German Shepherd Dog Club of America’s Classified Ads.
You can also find breeder search websites such as these:
| US | UK |
|---|---|
| pedigreedatabase.com | champdogs.co.uk |
| K9 Classifieds | pets4homes.com |
| puppyfind.com | ukpets.co.uk |
| gooddog.com | gumtree.com |
Please note that some ways of finding a reputable and ethical breeder are more reliable than others. For example, if you search on puppyfind.com, you can find a puppy that may cost only $600 to buy, but you may only have the phone contact of the seller and no further information. Instead, others like gooddog.com give a link to the breeder’s website so you can investigate further.
I suggest that one way to ensure the breeder is reliable is by checking they have a decent website. So, when searching for breeders, following up on the information on their website gives authority to the breeder. Here’s what to look for and why:
- Information about the history of the breeder. This tells you how much experience they have as a breeder.
- Address, social media pages, and phone contacts. Ways on how you can contact the breeder, which is one way of finding out if they are authentic.
- A collection of photos of their dogs and available puppies or those already sold. These give you a first idea of the quality of their dogs, the prices of their German Shepherd pups, and the waiting time.
- Breeder achievements. For example, German Shepherds who have won sporting or other awards indicate the quality of their breeding.
- A copy of their purchase contract, a questionnaire for gauging your suitability, and an application form. All these are key in creating a first idea of what you should expect from the breeder you will buy from.
- An indication of the price of their puppies. This gives you a more updated idea of how much the pet will cost compared to breeder search sites. For example, some German Shepherd breeders listed on gooddog.com have a different price from the one indicated on the breeder’s website.
My complete buyer’s guide, How to Buy a German Shepherd, will give you tons more information on this subject.
Why Are German Shepherds So Expensive?
It’s well known that the price of all breeds has gone up exponentially since the start of the pandemic in line with demand. Nonetheless, many factors impact how reputable breeders price their dogs.
But what makes German Shepherds so expensive?
German Shepherds are so expensive as breeding costs are not cheap, and as a popular breed, breeders can demand more. Health screening, vet visits, and vaccinations need to be paid for. Factors influencing price are lineage, color, type, litter size, breeder qualifications, and registration.
The list of breeding expenses could be endless and can quickly push the total cost up by at least $3,000. And this is without counting additional costs if you are using a top German Shepherd sire and need to make trips abroad.
I’ve mentioned that German Shepherd puppies are often priced on their color, coat length, working line vs. show line, and whether they have partial or full AKC registration. But don’t forget that after the buying cost will come the owning cost. You can read my article, Costs of Owning a German Shepherd, to get a clear picture of what awaits you after buying.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost?
German Shepherd Prices
In the below table, I have researched the current prices of German Shepherd puppies from 17 breeders. You can find some examples of UK prices later in the article. I am not endorsing any of these breeders, and you should still do your due diligence before purchasing. I’ve compiled this data to give you a clearer idea of the cost of German Shepherd puppies.
One thing to note is that the cost of German Shepherd puppies is constantly changing along with demand, so you’ll need to check the latest prices displayed on the breeders’ website or contact them directly. Most will offer details of future planned litters and how to apply for and reserve a pup.
Current German Shepherd Puppy Prices.
| Breeder | Selling Points | Price or Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| EshelmanSchwitz German Shepherds Struthers, OH | Small home-based breeder. Focuses on breeding healthy show and working German Shepherds with sound temperament. | GSD puppies are priced in the range of $800-$2,500. |
| Lost Creek German Shepherds Jennings, KS | Situated on a small ranch. The breeders are keen on puppy socialization. Offer military/enforcement discounts. | German Shepherd puppies are priced in the range of $1,600-$2,000. |
| Maska Honi Working German Shepherd Newfane, NY | Specialize in working German Shepherds for a family environment. Includes a 24-month health guarantee. | GSD pups cost between $1,800-$2,000. |
| Vom Eisenraben German Shepherds Buffalo, NY | Small hobby breeder. Strives to produce healthy working German Shepherds with sound temperament. | German Shepherd puppies are priced in the range of $1,800-$2,500. |
| Rheinhardt Kennels London, KY | Farm breeder who has bred puppies police protection, search and rescue, therapy, and personal protection. Health guarantee. | GSDs cost between $1,800-$2,000. |
| Haus Morrisson German Shepherds Boonsboro, MD | Breeds pups as pets, search and rescue, obedience, detection, protection, IPO/Schutzhund titles, and other sports. The parents are primarily Czech or Czech crosslines. | German Shepherd puppies are priced in the range of $2,000-$2,500. |
| Grothaus K9 Working German Shepherds Prineville, OR | Specializes in working line German Shepherds. Their dogs are bred to have excellent health, sound temperament, and a balanced drive. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,000. |
| Vom Geliebten Haus Menomonie, WI | Purebred German Shepherds of imported German lines. Pups are submitted to rigorous health checks and are micro-chipped. Choice of colors, including black. | GSD pups will cost between $3,000-$4,000. |
| Vom Haus Schutz German Shepherd K9 Dogs Pine Bush, NY | A small breeder of working GSDs that trace back to the Pohranicni Straze Kennels of the Czech Republic. They live stream litters. | German Shepherd puppies are priced in the range of $3,000-$4,000. |
| Diamond Peak German Shepherds LA Pine, OR | Reservation breeder producing purpose-bred GSDs who are OFA/SV tested and certified. Recognized AKC Breeder of Merit and a signer of the GSDCA breeder’s Code of Ethics. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,000. |
| Barick German Shepherds McDonough, GA | Bred, trained, and showed GSDs for decades. Committed to producing sound mind and body dogs for longevity. Prospective show dogs are priced on a case-to-case basis. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,000. |
| Ark Uvalde, TX | Breeds quality German Shepherds alongside Cane Corso. With a veterinarian breeder, the kennel pays serious attention to the health of the GSDs and focuses mainly on family dogs. | GSD puppies are priced at $2,000. |
| Shield Kennels Peyton, CO | Provides superior GSDs by breeding within true German lines to improve quality. The working dogs are fit for any job or family role. Donates puppies to heroes such as military veterans and first responders. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,500. |
| Semper Fi K-9 Kaufman, TX | Small family breeder. Their breeding dogs are selected from the best VA-rated European bloodlines. Pups have excellent temperaments. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,000. |
| North Mountain Kennels Strasburg, VA | A breeder with two degrees in Zoological studies, specializing in canine behavior. Produces world-class GSDs from selected European working lines. Option to pay extra for trained pups. | German Shepherd puppies are priced from $2,000. |
| RiverRock German Shepherds St. Cloud, MN | Small kennel breeding top show-quality dogs and pets. Has professional knowledge of canine learning. AKC Breeder of Merit. Signatory of the GSDCA breeders’ code of ethics. A show-quality pup costs more. | German Shepherd puppies are priced in the range of $3,500-$5,000. |
| Austerlitz German Shepherd Dogs Sand Springs, OK | More than 25 years of experience. AKC Breeder of Merit. Work with other breeders, all with several years of experience. | A German Shepherd puppy costs $2,500. |
How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost in the UK?
German Shepherd Price UK
On average, the cost of a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder in the UK is £2200. Decent UK breeders will ensure health and temperament testing. However, UK puppy prices range from £1800 to £3,000, the cost varying due to lineage, color, type, and litter size.
Again, I obtained these figures from a random selection of ethical UK breeders.
| UK Breeder | Selling Points | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Eagleriver Dogs East Anglia, UK | Dedicated to raising straight-backed GSDs for exceptional family pets with a great temperament. Over 14 years of experience specializing in both long and short-coated puppies. | German Shepherds cost £2,000. ($2,800). |
| Glebe Von Wood Leicestershire, UK | Breeders of quality GSDs. Their secure and safe family environment has allowed pups of diverse sound temperaments to thrive on the 15-acre land. | German Shepherds cost £2,000. ($2,850). |
| Stormlake German Shepherds Essex, UK | A breeder that prides on breeding beautiful, large-size, and long-coat German Shepherds with excellent temperaments. | German Shepherds cost £1,800. ($2,500) |
| K9Guardians Cardiff, UK | Breeds old-fashioned straight-back working GSDs. The breeding dogs are purebred European Czech with genetic screening and for canine health conditions. | German Shepherds cost £3,000. ($4,230). |
Adopting a German Shepherd
While this article is exclusive on the cost of German Shepherds and buying direct from breeders, adopting could be another option for you as the cost to adopt is a lot cheaper than purchasing from a breeder. Rescues and shelters are your best bet when it comes to adopting.
However, some breeders also double as rescuers and have dogs for adoption if they’ve had pups returned, so check their websites first. This is a sad situation as these dogs will need rehoming, so make sure you know what’s involved when taking on a German Shepherd as a pet.
My step-by-step guide, How to Adopt a German Shepherd, gives you a complete picture of the adoption process if you opt for this route.
Tips for Saving Money on Your German Shepherd
If you’re buying a German Shepherd for the first time, you should be cautious about hidden costs and potential exploitation from the backyard, unlicensed breeders.
I mean who likes to drill a hole in the pocket just by buying a dog?
As I recently helped my friend get a German Shepherd, I understood that certain tips might work for everyone, including you.
- Adopt instead of buying: Adopting a German Shepherd from a shelter or rescue organization is often much cheaper than buying from a breeder.
- Look for discounts: Some breeders or pet stores may offer discounts on German Shepherds, especially during certain times of the year.
- Consider older dogs: Puppies are typically more expensive than older dogs, so consider adopting or buying an older German Shepherd to save money.
As soon as you bring them to your home, it’s time to follow a couple of other tips that can save you money with respect to their maintenance as well.
- Buy in bulk: Buying dog food, toys, and other supplies in bulk can save you money in the long run.
- Train your German Shepherd yourself: Hiring a professional dog trainer can be expensive, so consider training your German Shepherd yourself using online resources or books.
- Take care of your German Shepherd’s health: Regular vet check-ups and preventative care can help you avoid costly medical bills in the future.
Key Takeaways
We have learned that the average cost of a German Shepherd is roughly $2,000. German Shepherd prices vary depending on the pedigree, breeding cost, litter size, type, registration status, breeder’s experience, and qualifications.
There’s no doubt you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to German Shepherd breeders. However, when searching for a professional and ethical breeder, choose one with a quality website where you can read their history, see pictures of their dogs and puppies, find their selling or reserving cost, and access full contact details.
