Hi
I hope you guys do not mind me posting this question, but can you tell me why GSDs are so expensive in the USA. Over here in Belgium i can get a very well bred GSD Pup for half the price of yours over there in fact My Fredrick is half the price of a few i have noticed being sold in the USA,
Steve

Hi Steve i think the prices are higher in the USA because its what people will pay for pups..here in the UK pups average from around 400-700 pounds depending on Quality of bloodlines and Working potential, but as a fact these prices tend to be 500 for a pup which at the current exchange rate equals around $1000 which i think is very reasonable..But breeders will continue to up there prices if customers continue to hand over there asking price.

It's a good question. Some say it's because of the "guarantees" USA breeders are forced to put on pups. Some say it's because of the great distances breeders in the USA have to go to title & breed survey dogs (schutzhund is not big here like it is in Europe) Some say it is the high cost of breeding/raising dogs here. Of course, the price is determined by what the market will bare, so that has something to do with it too. You can find many "breeders" here in the USA selling pups for $500 a pop, but in that instance there is a lot if truth in "you get what you pay for" in this country!

So some extent I could care less how much the pup costs. Over the life of the dog the purchase price is a drop in the bucket.

I spent about $500 in accessories and vet bills within the first couple weeks of owning the Starbuck. Registration in California is $50 per year for an “unaltered” dog. Flea and Tick meds are $150+ per year. Heartworm meds are $75 per year. Dog food is $350+ per year. That is $625 per year without any vet visits, vitamins, toys, etc.

My last Shepherd was $250 back in 1991. Her vet bills (including meds) alone totaled over $4,000 by the time she passed at 12 years old. She had epileptic seizures with required daily pills, but she never suffered a major injury. A broken leg could easily cost over $1000.

I agree, I was just responding to the original posters question about why GSD's bred in the USA cost so much more than the Euro bred dogs.

Hi Keith
Not sure why you Quote figures of what it costs to keep a dog I just asked a simple question as to why the price of a GSD is so much greater than in europe, no harm in that just that i am interested to know why,
But you do not pay anymore than over here to up keep the dog than over here less in fact, To feed my dog Raw over here will cost me about 90 USA dollars a month the reason being is we cannot get cheap meat like you guys can and certain cuts not possible to get but i am going to feed Raw regardless, The reason being is of what i have read on numerous occasions regards the kibble, but more so what it can do to our dogs
Now Our Pup cost me 700 Euros, around 954 USA Dollars to buy , with this i had a detailed Pedigree, a extensive Guarantee, the Dog was Chipped. He was Registered with the Kennel club, and all certificates sent to me by the VDH. He is an extremely well bred dog of top working lines both sides, working in the Dutch Championships.
all this in the price.
The Breeder takes a keen interest in the Dogs he sells and we keep in touch
Now Vets Bills for his Pups Vaccinations as required by his Breeder and for the pups health cost me 450 euros about 606 USA Dollars, this does not include Wormimg and anything else just Vaccinations
If you want something you have to pay for it thats normal take this scenario for instance
I have not been a member of this forum long and i live thousands of kms away
I was impressed by the honesty of Ed Frawley, and i need help and guidance as to the best way to handle this Shepherd Pup not owning one before, So on three occasions i have sent to Leerburg for DVDs and Collars & books etc Now the price of the Products from Ed is a very fair Price,
but i have to get them over to Belgium and this is the crunch, It has cost me nearly as much or more for Freight Costs than the Products i bought from Ed,
The transport charges for the three packages including the Belgian Customs bit has been 221 USA Dollars, But if you want something we have to pay it and i wanted it
My question was not to rub anyone up the wrong way just a harmless request, Belgium is an expensive country to live in Compared to England one third higher living costs. but i was suprised at the costs of the GSDs over there I expect you could pay more over here but the price i paid is an average price right across the board say up to a 1000 USA dollars for a pup
And one final bit i think my 'Fredrick' has the same fighting spirit and will that i have, and if that is so then i will have one hell of a dog, but however he turns out he is mine and that will be enough
Steve

Mr. Patrick,

In truth, one can buy a "GSD" for under $400. The prices go up as the pedigrees and breeder reputations are more 'professional' and dogs from the breeder gain some reputation, and/or owner proud commentary.

I'm not sure what the average price a registered GSD sells for. I know of one kennel that has a scale of prices that depends on the pedigrees of the parents. That kennel has dogs that sell for $450+/- for one litter and $1,000+/- for another litter.

I'm not sure your perception of what people pay for their dogs - read average people - is accurate. I'd guess a median price of all pappered GSDs might be in the $700 range but I'd probably be wrong.

I think the price a person pays for a dog has to do with what they can afford and what uses are intended for the dog. And since many Americans are quick to open their wallet, and have no clue how to work with a dog...

I have a 'rescue' that I got from a rescue organization when she was 11 months. She is from Germany. I have the 'pinks' and a bunch of other information. I don't think I could have afforded the dog in any ordinary circumstance given my perception of the hoops I'd have had to jump through to import her. And she is a great dog.

I have two other GSDs from local breeders. Good dogs for my purposes and interestes. I can honestly say the last time I was contacted by either breeder was never for one, and twice for the other. Sell them and forget them seems to be a market policy over here - and I'd bet over there too.

An interesting question/thread.

And it should be clear to even the most casual observer that I have no real idea of how dogs are priced in the good old USA.

Oh, then you got folks like me who just *tell* people they paid $10,000...for the pup...."yup, mortgaged the farm for 'im"

I was just providing more detail on the "Cost" of owning a dog, I didn’t mean to rub you the wrong way.

I’m not an economist, but I am sure there is a term for the people who buy the most expensive dog/car/house/etc so they can find just to show it off to their friends. Other than the generic “keeping up with the Jones’s”.

There is a pet store in the local mall called Moon Doggies. The mall is about 2 years old and near some very nice neighborhoods. The cheapest pet in the store was $1,200 last time I checked. They had a nice looking Siberian Husky for $1,500. People pay that because they take their spoiled little brats into the store and the kids want that cute little puppy “NOW!”

Hello Keith
No' you sure have not rubbed me up the wrong way, i was just replying to you regards costs in different countries.and the term in England for someone who pays more than most is called 'Keeping up with the Jones' it is snobbery, I can hardly come into that being on old age pension, and little else
My post was just an innocent one as i was a little suprised at the cost of a Dog and i was interested to know why, But i think i have rubbed up one or two the wrong way and i tell you the knives are still sticking in my back. i will not remove them until tomorrow just in case someone else throws one, (English Joke)
Mr Arnold
I have only owned two dogs in 30 years and the second of those two is still alive and with me, both cost me nothing to buy just ordinary Cross breds, but have been great friends over the years and i would not have parted with them for an open cheque.
But i always for some reason or other wanted a German Shepherd. So i enquired how much it would cost me but i looked at a lot of Breeders over here before deciding where to go. The Breeder has done everything he can to make sure all went well and he did everything correctly and i am very satisfied with the way he did his business and i think i have a very good Dog who can go on to do well, providing i can learn enough myself to help him