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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Purchasing a German shepherd puppy from an American Kennel Club (AKC)-accredited dog breeder costs anywhere from $2,000 to $4,500, on average.
Buying a puppy from a non-accredited breeder or adopting one from an animal shelter or rescue group costs less. But you’ll still pay at least a few hundred dollars.
German shepherds are known for being loyal, protective, and agile. The breed has a history as a working dog but is usually a family pet today, though some German shepherds still work as military and police dogs.[1] Here’s what you should know about the costs to own this breed.
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A German shepherd can cost anywhere from $300 to more than $4,500. The cost varies widely depending on the dog’s age and health. How much you’ll pay for a German shepherd also depends on whether you purchase one from a breeder or adopt one from a shelter or animal rescue group.
A certified, trustworthy breeder will be the most expensive, and an animal shelter will be the least expensive.
German shepherds are a long-term financial and lifestyle commitment, so it’s important to understand what ownership costs entail beyond the initial purchase price or adoption fee.
German shepherd puppies from a reputable breeder are the most expensive, usually costing anywhere from $2,000 to $4,500.
Purchasing a puppy from an accredited breeder has some advantages, including temperament and health screenings and breeder support. But you’ll pay a much higher price tag, and you may also have to invest significant time and money into training and socializing your new puppy.
Adopting a German shepherd from an animal shelter or rescue group costs much less — usually around $300 to $500 — depending on where you’re adopting from and the dog’s age. Shelters and rescue groups charge lower adoption fees that cover basic veterinary care, such as vaccines and spaying or neutering.
One of the main benefits of adopting a German shepherd is that you’re giving a shelter pet a loving home. But shelters don’t usually screen for breed-specific genetic traits or health issues, so you may not know right away if your new pup has any underlying health concerns.
Country of origin: Germany
Adult weight: 50–70 pounds (female), 65–90 pounds (male)
Adult height: 22–24 inches (female), 24–26 inches (male)
Coat colors: Black, black and cream, black and red, black and silver, black and tan, gray, sable, white, liver, blue, bi-color
Personality traits: Loyal, highly trainable, intelligent, protective
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
Source: American Kennel Club
Purchasing a German shepherd is only the first expense. Once you own a dog, you’ll face additional costs for basic needs like food, veterinary expenses, grooming, and training.
Here’s what you might spend on your German shepherd over its lifetime.
Type of Expense  | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Vaccinations | $15–$78 per year |
| Routine vet visit | $70–$174 per year |
| Food | $50–$80 per month |
| Toys and supplies | $30–$100 per month |
| Grooming and maintenance | $60–$220 per session |
| Training | $80–$500 per month |
Vaccination and vet visit costs vary widely depending on your dog’s age and health conditions. Vaccines for dogs can cost between $15 and $78 per year, while routine vet visits range from $70 to $174 per year.[2] Emergency vet visits and procedures, such as surgery, cost much more.
But German shepherds often have unique health concerns that require additional treatment, which might cost you more. Common health issues include arthritis, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy. Many purebred dogs have health concerns, so it’s not specific to German shepherds, but dog owners should prepare for the costs.
Food costs for dogs vary widely, with specialty or prescription diets costing more. In general, you should budget $50–$80 per month for high-quality food for your German shepherd.
Toys and supplies could run you an additional $30–$100 per month.[3]
German shepherds don’t have specific grooming requirements beyond regular brushing, bathing, and nail trimming. Some pet owners groom their German shepherds at home, while others pay for a professional service.
Getting your German shepherd professionally groomed can cost anywhere from $60 to $220, depending on whether your shepherd has medium or long hair, where you live, and the grooming services you choose.
This breed has relatively low-maintenance grooming requirements, so each owner handles it differently.
If you decide to enroll your German shepherd in training, it could cost $80 per month for group classes and up to $500 per month for private training sessions.
Many pet owners opt for pet insurance to help pay for veterinary costs, such as emergency vet visits, blood tests, accidents, health testing, and annual wellness exams.
An accident and illness policy for a German shepherd costs an average of $51 per month, according to Insurify data. But your cost depends on several factors, including your dog’s age and where you live.
Pet insurance is a recurring monthly cost that can pay for itself depending on how much medical care your German shepherd needs. The sooner you start coverage, the more effective it can be. If you wait for a health issue, it might be too late to establish coverage. It’s usually best to set up a policy within the first year of ownership if you plan to do so.
In the table below, you can see average pet insurance costs from several different insurers.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Spot | $26 |
| ASPCA | $31 |
| Lemonade | $37 |
| Healthy Paws | $55 |
| Pets Best | $58 |
| Prudent Pet | $65 |
| Figo | $67 |
| Pumpkin | $71 |
| Fetch Pet | $77 |
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German shepherds can cost a few hundred or a few thousand dollars depending on where you get the dog from and the dog’s characteristics. The following factors affect how much you’ll pay.
Prospective dog owners have different options for where to purchase a dog, including animal shelters, pet stores, and German shepherd breeders. Where you buy your German shepherd affects how much the dog costs.
The AKC recognizes breeders of merit who are the best in the field. These quality breeders adhere to strict purebred breeding requirements, puppy registration, and health screenings. Due to the accreditation, dogs from these breeders are the most expensive.
On the other hand, adopting German shepherds from local shelters is usually the cheapest way to purchase a German shepherd, since the dog isn’t certified as a purebred. Adoption fees are typically a few hundred dollars.
A German shepherd puppy is usually more expensive than an adult dog since it has no known health issues. Younger dogs typically have a longer life expectancy than older dogs, which can also affect the cost. Older dogs, especially seniors, usually cost less since they may have health conditions and fewer years to live.
Gender can also affect the price of a German shepherd, but it’s rare. Some breeders prefer buying female dogs, but most trustworthy breeders price male and female dogs the same. Similarly, coat color doesn’t usually affect the price of a German shepherd.
Like any purebred dog, German shepherds are prone to certain health issues. These are some common conditions to be aware of before you buy or adopt a German shepherd:[4]
Degenerative myelopathy: This neurological disorder affects a dog’s spinal cord, causing hind-end weakness, difficulty standing up, and eventual paralysis of the dog’s hind legs.
Eye diseases: German shepherds commonly inherit eye diseases, such as cataracts, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), pannus, and multifocal retinal dysplasia.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat or torsion): When a dog develops bloat, its stomach fills with too much gas and can start to twist. This can be very painful for the dog, and you should take it to a vet right away for diagnosis and treatment, as this condition can be fatal.
Hip and elbow dysplasia: Large dog breeds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, where the elbow or hip sockets don’t form properly, which can cause pain and lead to other issues, such as arthritis.
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German shepherds cost a similar amount to golden retrievers, another popular dog breed. But German shepherd prices are higher than those of similar breeds, like labs and border collies.
The total cost for a specific breed varies. Puppies from AKC-accredited breeders cost the most, and senior rescue dogs tend to cost the least.
Dog Breed | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| German shepherd | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Golden retriever | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Labrador retriever | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Belgian Malinois | $500–$9,000 |
| Border collie | $800–$1,500 |
Pet ownership is a significant commitment, especially for large dogs like German shepherds. Here’s a closer look at the breed and associated costs.
Purebred German shepherd puppies from responsible breeders range from $2,000 to $4,500. But you might have a lower or higher price depending on where you live. If you rescue a German shepherd from the shelter, you’ll pay significantly less. Most rescues charge a few hundred dollars to help cover operating expenses.
German shepherds have a long history as working dogs that are easy to train, loyal, and intelligent. Those characteristics make the breed an attractive option for many pet owners. Even beyond that, German shepherds are high-quality pets and, in some cases, show-quality dogs.
Black German shepherds typically cost around $700–$2,000. But pure black German shepherds are more rare, so you could pay more for a puppy depending on your location and the breeder you choose.
When you purchase a German shepherd puppy from an AKC-accredited breeder, you’re paying for not only the dog but also best-in-class breeding practices and an AKC Dog Registration Application. The seller completes the application, and the buyer submits it to the AKC. Once the process is complete, you’ll receive an AKC Registration Certificate.
Yes. German shepherds are good pets. This breed is typically loyal, loving, and eager to please their owners. But German shepherds often require mental and physical stimulation, so they might not be the right fit for everyone — especially dog owners with small living spaces.
German shepherds generally live for 12–14 years, which is common for large breeds.
Pet insurance isn’t a requirement, but getting a pet insurance policy for a German shepherd is a good idea. Larger dogs have more expensive vet bills, and pet insurance can help offset some of those costs.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250,000 pet insurance quotes from our proprietary database — sourced by Fletch Insurance Services LLC (“Fletch”) — to determine the premium prices displayed on this page. These quotes come directly from Insurify’s 10+ partner insurance companies across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., reflecting monthly pet insurance costs for both dogs and cats.
Unless otherwise specified, premium prices represent one-year rolling medians to account for market volatility driven by factors such as rising veterinary care costs and increased pet ownership.
Breed-level prices incorporate both mixed and purebred pets. To ensure reliability, a minimum of eight quotes is required for dogs and four quotes for cats. Breeds with significant price deviations from the average are noted explicitly; other breeds are estimated based on average costs for all purebred pets.
Pets are grouped into three age brackets:
Coverage Limits
Dog premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
Cat premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
For both dogs and cats, monthly premiums are segmented by:
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Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Taylor has been a contributor at Insurify since February 2023.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
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