The Price of a German Shepherd

ladyfreckles · 01-20-2012, 11:45 AM

The poll is for the topic question but I'll add another one.

How much did you pay for your German Shepherd initially?
And...
How much do your GSDs cost per month? Per year?
What about those of you who compete with your dogs? How expensive is that?

There is another thread like this but the question is more vague and doesn't differentiate between people who have dogs and people who work their dogs. I know there are a lot of fees associated with working your dogs and doing competitions which is why I'm specifying.

BlackGSD · 01-20-2012, 12:06 PM

I don't know how much I spend per month or year. I don't keep track. I have no reason to as it doesn't make any difference, it is what it is.

cassadee7 · 01-20-2012, 12:14 PM

Let's see, this will be a guesstimate:

Food: $60
Treats, chews: $20
Pet insurance: $22
Vet, shots, etc: $20 average, some months nothing.
Training/classes/club dues: $75
Toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, tracking lines, etc: $30 average
BowWowFlix: $17

(training videos)

I have not entered any competitions except Dock Dogs but I will start in spring.

LaRen616 · 01-20-2012, 12:25 PM

I paid $600 for Sinister.

Malice was supposed to be $1200 but I paid alot less for her.

Dog food costs me $120 every 4-5 weeks.

I buy treats and toys every other month it seems and I have no idea how much they cost me in a year and I really dont want to know.

ZAYDA · 01-20-2012, 12:41 PM

To much unnecessary information IMO
All I can say is it has been worth every cent and I will be doing it again..

Emoore · 01-20-2012, 12:45 PM

Paid $1000 for Kopper and $300 for Rocky.
Spend about $80 a month on food
$60 a month on Rocky's "old man pills."
$80 a month on training classes for Kopper
Roughly $400 a year on Rocky's senior wellness exams with full bloodwork (seniors should be seen by a vet twice a year).
Another $100 a year for Kopper's checkups.
Last year Rocky went into liver failure, costing right at $1000 at the vet.
Another $100 for a minor injury Kopper had.

Taking into account toys, treats, and other miscellany, I spent $6000 on the dogs last year, counting Kopper's $1000 purchase price.

**Liesje** · 01-20-2012, 12:58 PM

Kenya - free
Coke - $120 (rescue, not a GSD)
Nikon - $2300 (included some food and other dog supplies)
Pan - $1800

I pay $100/mo for dog food. Maybe $20/mo for other items like a toy, treats, or marrow bones. $40/yr for heartworm preventative (do my own). I only take dogs to the vet when they need to go. Vaccinations are usually under $20/each. Currently not using any flea/tick. There are other expenses like x-rays for hip/elbow certification, ordering the scorebooks and paperwork for a new dog, and entry fees.

wildo · 01-20-2012, 01:15 PM

Man- I didn't see that this was a public poll. Why is it necessary to see who voted for which option???

GatorDog · 01-20-2012, 01:55 PM

UGH I don't want to know how much I spend on this dog! I think the training alone is what really kills me, with all the tugs/treats/other supplies. That and food. I don't go to the vet unless I need to (usually just heartworm test, I vaccinate him myself). I only do heartworm meds during mosquito season, and no flea/tick meds, (they make him sick).

mycobraracr · 01-20-2012, 02:14 PM

I think buying a dog is like buying a house. You spend a lot of money on the down payment (initial cost of the puppy) then spend even more money to make it your dream house (dog).

That said I have no idea how much I spend on her. Like some others have said, I really don't want to know! It doesn't help that I spoil the heck out of her hahaha.

View Poll Results: How much did you pay for your German Shepherd?
$5,000+	6	1.27%
$3,500 - $5,000	7	1.48%
$2000 - $3,499	50	10.57%
$1500 - $1999	93	19.66%
$1000 - $1499	97	20.51%
$50 - $999	221	46.72%
Free	36	7.61%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 473. You may not vote on this poll

01-20-2012, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
ladyfreckles Knighted Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,017	The Price of a German Shepherd The poll is for the topic question but I'll add another one. How much did you pay for your German Shepherd initially? And... How much do your GSDs cost per month? Per year? What about those of you who compete with your dogs? How expensive is that? There is another thread like this but the question is more vague and doesn't differentiate between people who have dogs and people who work their dogs. I know there are a lot of fees associated with working your dogs and doing competitions which is why I'm specifying. __________________ Viking vom Zeder-Kamme (11/19/2011)

01-20-2012, 12:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,805	I don't know how much I spend per month or year. I don't keep track. I have no reason to as it doesn't make any difference, it is what it is. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

01-20-2012, 12:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
cassadee7 Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Posts: 1,311	Let's see, this will be a guesstimate: Food: $60 Treats, chews: $20 Pet insurance: $22 Vet, shots, etc: $20 average, some months nothing. Training/classes/club dues: $75 Toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, tracking lines, etc: $30 average BowWowFlix: $17 (training videos) I have not entered any competitions except Dock Dogs but I will start in spring. __________________ Shawn Mom to five kids and "Saber" Jette vom Wildhaus CAA JJ-N HIC CGC Kira vom Snoozhaus ZZZ Saber's Blog: Stuff Saber Does

01-20-2012, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,868	I paid $600 for Sinister. Malice was supposed to be $1200 but I paid alot less for her. Dog food costs me $120 every 4-5 weeks. I buy treats and toys every other month it seems and I have no idea how much they cost me in a year and I really dont want to know. __________________ Lauren Sinister ~ black male GSD 3.11.09 Cats: Chaos, Mayhem, Monster and Wicked

01-20-2012, 12:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZAYDA Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: KENOSHA WI. Posts: 735	To much unnecessary information IMO All I can say is it has been worth every cent and I will be doing it again..

01-20-2012, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,549	Paid $1000 for Kopper and $300 for Rocky. Spend about $80 a month on food $60 a month on Rocky's "old man pills." $80 a month on training classes for Kopper Roughly $400 a year on Rocky's senior wellness exams with full bloodwork (seniors should be seen by a vet twice a year). Another $100 a year for Kopper's checkups. Last year Rocky went into liver failure, costing right at $1000 at the vet. Another $100 for a minor injury Kopper had. Taking into account toys, treats, and other miscellany, I spent $6000 on the dogs last year, counting Kopper's $1000 purchase price. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 11 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 2 years At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

01-20-2012, 12:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Liesje Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 16,234	Kenya - free Coke - $120 (rescue, not a GSD) Nikon - $2300 (included some food and other dog supplies) Pan - $1800 I pay $100/mo for dog food. Maybe $20/mo for other items like a toy, treats, or marrow bones. $40/yr for heartworm preventative (do my own). I only take dogs to the vet when they need to go. Vaccinations are usually under $20/each. Currently not using any flea/tick. There are other expenses like x-rays for hip/elbow certification, ordering the scorebooks and paperwork for a new dog, and entry fees. __________________ Liesje & Nikon vom Blauen Horizont / Blue Horizon GSDs

01-20-2012, 01:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
wildo Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,101	Man- I didn't see that this was a public poll. Why is it necessary to see who voted for which option??? __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL3, CL2, CL1, UJJ, HIT, CGC High Jinks vom Neuanfang - DOB 9/12 (Gotchya Day: 1/23/2013) agility superstar in training

01-20-2012, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
GatorDog Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,861	UGH I don't want to know how much I spend on this dog! I think the training alone is what really kills me, with all the tugs/treats/other supplies. That and food. I don't go to the vet unless I need to (usually just heartworm test, I vaccinate him myself). I only do heartworm meds during mosquito season, and no flea/tick meds, (they make him sick). __________________ -Alexis Aiden vom HausDaka - (HOT) CGC, TT, IPO1 Carma vom Oz Haus - puppy in training! http://sharpshepherd.wordpress.com//

01-20-2012, 02:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
mycobraracr Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,375	I think buying a dog is like buying a house. You spend a lot of money on the down payment (initial cost of the puppy) then spend even more money to make it your dream house (dog). That said I have no idea how much I spend on her. Like some others have said, I really don't want to know! It doesn't help that I spoil the heck out of her hahaha.

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