German Shepherds can live 10-12 years with good care and health, so you're making a long-term commitment to your new pet. Be sure that you can provide a dog with everything it needs to have a long, happy life. The ASPCA estimates that in the first year of owning a large dog like a German Shepherd, you will spend about $1,843 on it. After the first year, you will spend about $875 every year. These numbers include medical costs, food, grooming, equipment (crates, toys, leashes), training, etc. If you cannot afford to properly care for a dog, you should wait until you can before adding one to your family.  Expect to pay between $500-$1200 and up for a quality German Shepherd puppy from a breeder. You will spend some money up front, but more money invested will save you in vet and other bills in the end. Buying a quality puppy ensures the support of a reputable breeder. For more information on the pricing range in the USA, visit the German Shepherd Dog Club of America website. Though German Shepherds are beautiful dogs, you want to make sure the breed is a good fit for your household. German Shepherds are a herding breed that were bred to move livestock around farms. Because they want to work, they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and balanced. Without a way to expel energy, German Shepherds often grow unruly and destructive.  The breed is a great fit for owners who are looking for a lot of engagement and interaction with their pet. If this is too much responsibility for you, you may want to look into other breeds. German Shepherds are large dogs. The American Kennel Club's (AKC) breed standard is 24-26" to the highest point of the shoulder blade in males and 22-24" in females. They can also be very high-energy pets, even beyond puppyhood. As such, training a German Shepherd is incredibly important if you don't want to get physically overwhelmed by your pet. Luckily, these are intelligent dogs who love to learn and work. They respond very well to training. As puppies, the differences between males and females aren't very noticeable, but there are a few differences to consider as they grow older. The most obvious difference is that females will go into heat twice a year if left un-spayed. Females are also smaller and lighter than adult males, and have more delicate facial features.  Males can sometimes be more territorial than females. Scent marking can be controlled with proper training.  Females may be more protective of their "pack" or family, though this may result in jealousy of other pets. The best way to learn about German Shepherds is to meet some in person. By attending a breed show, or "conformation show," you will get to meet show-bred Shepherds and their breeders. These dogs are bred to make sure their physical traits adhere to the American Kennel Club's (AKC) breed standards. But if you're more interested in a dog bred for its herding or working ability, visit a show or trial that tests these skills. Examples include agility, obedience, Schutzhund (guard dog), and tracking competitions, among others.  The working dogs are selected for traits like intelligence, ease of training, athletic ability and natural herding and working skills. You can find wonderful German Shepherds of all types at agility, obedience, Schutzhund and tracking tests (and many other different types of competitions). Contact The German Shepherd Club or AKC for a list of events where you can see and meet German Shepherds. Pure-bred dogs are rare in shelters, but with some patience you may be able to find a German Shepherd or German Shepherd mix. If you have trouble finding one through your local shelters, consider contacting a breed rescue in your area. Both of these options will allow you to rescue a dog in need of help, but in both cases, you cannot be sure of the dog's lineage. If you are set on a pure-bred German Shepherd that has a known lineage, then you will want to buy from a breeder.  Never buy a dog from a classified ad or website without first visiting the location and getting a sense for the owner. Don’t agree to meet the puppy off-site — you want to see the breeder’s premises. Never buy a dog from a pet store. Pet stores often get puppies from puppy mills who breed without regard for the health or quality of the dogs. Dogs often live in poor conditions and are unhealthy. Do not support these practices with your money. You might see puppies being sold on the side of the street. If they're not affiliated with an adoption agency, you should never buy puppies off the street. These are usually irresponsible breeders, and buying these puppies only encourages more irresponsible practices.
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