When dealing with personal and household expenses, it can be difficult to make the most of your pet’s budget. To make it easier for you as a dog parent, I have come up with these tips to save money despite owning a German Shepherd:
Consider Introducing a GSD
Adoption is the cheapest alternative to acquiring a German shepherd, and this is more advisable than buying from backyard breeders. You can have a healthy, good-natured dog for as little as $300 compared to a new puppy, which can cost as much as $3,500.
Buy Quality Items
If this is your first time buying essentials for your dog, avoid buying inferior items that can easily break. You will spend more to replace them than to have good products that can last longer.
Buy Supplies in Bulk
When shopping for food or treats for your pup, be sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of dry food or canned wet food.
Keep Your Dog in Top Condition
To avoid expensive vet bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them quality dog food with the right nutrients. Don’t forget to walk them daily and avoid giving them greasy treats.
Train Your GSD at Home
Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn how to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you have to do is buy the basic grooming tools and do some research on how to effectively groom your dog. While there are many ways to cut down on your dog’s expenses, make sure you don’t jeopardize his well-being by buckling up. Plan your finances accordingly so that nobody has to suffer from it in the long run. Many dog owners don’t do this; Because of this, many GSDs end up in animal shelters.
Places Where You Can Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Once you have everything financially planned, you are ready to start finding places to buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German shepherds can be purchased from puppy factories or backyard breeders. However, most German Shepherds from these sources are bred in very poor conditions and you cannot be assured that they are purebred dogs for sale.
Buying from responsible breeders is the best way to get healthy puppies that will grow into strong adult dogs. To help you in your search, here is a list of American Kennel Club certified breeders offering quality German Shepherd puppies:
Vom Ragnar German Shepherds – This is a small kennel in Illinois dedicated to breeding show quality German Shepherds with good temperament and the best conditions as their puppies are health screened. This breeder strives to match their GSD puppies to the most suitable families.
Khanguard GSD – As a reputable breeder, the owner is careful to produce only show quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9s, and more. They also import and ship their dogs all over the world.
West Coast German Shepherds – If you reside in California, this breeder can offer you a health tested German Shepherd puppy that comes from the best bloodlines. Like the aforementioned breeders, West Coast GSDs currently breed dogs to Deutsche SV standards.
Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd Dog instead of buying one from a breeder? If so, this list can help you find the perfect GSD puppy for you:
German Shepherd Rescue and Adoption: Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was formed to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. All of their rescue dogs are medically treated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped prior to adoption.
German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County – This volunteer organization aims to bring unwanted, abandoned and abused German Shepherds into permanent loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to be reunited with their chosen dog prior to adoption.
Garden State German Shepherd Rescue – This is a German Shepherd rescue center operating in New Jersey. In addition to restoring their health, their main priority is finding a suitable owner for their rescue dogs.
Conclusion
The cost of the German Shepherd can be high, but they make wonderful family pets. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying from a reputable breeder is worth the higher purchase price than buying from backyard breeders or puppy mills.
On a different note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but be sure to ask about any current health conditions the dog may have. This can save you thousands of dollars while supporting the bailout cause.