This breed is not cheap – the quick answer is that you should plan to spend between $1,500-$3,000 for a German Shepherd from health-tested parents. While it is possible to find puppies without papers for much less (as little as $200 in some cases), these usually come from lines without health and temperament testing.

Are German shepherds expensive to own?

The cost of owning a German Shepherd can be around $85 per month once you have paid for your pup (the average initial buying cost being $2000). Therefore, the lifetime cost of owning a German Shepherd over 10 years can be up to $12,230, for both the cost of the puppy plus all food and care expenses.

Why do German shepherds cost so much?

This purchase will cost you a lot because of all the additional costs of raising a puppy to adulthood. Also, they will be expensive since the breeder will be able to determine the overall quality of an adult dog by then. The most expensive German Shepherds are those already as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs.