I am a looking at getting a german shepherd dog.
What scares me are the bills that will follow.
I like to have a dog for the companionship,security etc
Your views please and how much should I save up?
PS I like to have a German Shepherd as it is a big dog and looks great
Should I get a German Shepherd dog and prepare for the bills or just not get a dog?
grabngo on 08/03/2017 - 19:21
Comments
Be very careful with "purebreed" (read inbred) German Shepherds. They genetically have very bad hind quarters which tend to give out in middle age to the point where they can barely walk. Its a very common problem with the breed.
You would be better off getting a cross/mutt that looks the part from a shelter.
As for costs, you can probably calculate or look up online a rough feeding and annual checkup/vaccination costs, but vet bills for other things (illness, accident, treating genetic problems) can be horrendous.
You also need to factor in the time you need for daily walks, play and stuff like that.
Getting a dog (or any pet really) is a big responsibility and you need to make sure you are up to the task.For a purebred German Shepard you are looking at ~$2000 for the puppy. The German Shepard Dog Council can provide advise about what to look for in a puppy. Basically, like a lot of large breads Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia are a issue. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you buy a pedigree dog and have a copy of it's parents and ideally grandparents to show it has a good family history.
Buy from a breeder if you are going to get a pure bread puppy and always make sure the mother dog is around. If the area where the breeder has the puppies is dirty (poo everywhere for example) then I wouldn't purchase a dog from them.
The GSD council website will explain this pretty well.
I would look at https://www.dogzonline.com.au/ for puppies.
A ROUGH guide at other expenses would be
dog food (~$92 for a 12kg bag lasts roughly 3 months)
Vet care ~$100 per visit. Normally once per year for booster vaccinations.
Heart worm tablets $150/6 monthly pack
Toys, bed, water bowl, food bow maybe $150 all up. You'll need to buy several new toys. Dogs love new toys and puppies love destroying soft toys.
Pet insurance $700 a year.
All in all I would highly recommend getting a dog. They are the world's best companions BUT it comes with the biggest cost of all is for you to commit to the dog. That means ~40 minutes 2x per day for a walk.
Playtime several times per day. It is all worth it when you arrive home from work and you are greeted with a toy.
Probably at least 5 or 6 sessions of training with a professional will be needed as well. You can DIY but getting help is advised.
Don't listen to people tell you it's too expensive. It really isn't that bad. I personally would spare no expense to make sure my dog is happy.
DO NOT train the dog for security. Sure put up signs and if the dog is in the backyard people probably won't break in but you need to treat it like you would family. Allow it to sleep inside at night during winter. At the very least make sure your back yard has shade in summer as well.
Feel free to DM me with any other questions.
don't get a german shepherd. so many problems with their hips. it's cruel.
visit the lost dogs home and rescue a dog.
Don't buy from a back yard breeder.
I just received a bill of $148 for renewing pet registration from the council. It was only around $100 2-3 years ago. I'm still mad about the increase…
Owning a dog is a life commitment, do not impulse buy. To tell you the truth, I've always owned cats and when I got a puppy (Golden Retriever), I had second thoughts because it was so different to what I'm imagined it'll be. But now, he's with me pretty much all the time and I love him to pieces.
The main compulsory costs will be Vet, registration and food. Knick007 sums it pretty well. Pet insurance is optional, but probably recommended seeing that there's some common health problems in GSDs.
I own a Rottie - got her at 2 years from a breeder. Beautiful dog but really like German Shepherds as well.
Have look at https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/mature/german-shepherd-…Does not eat a lot - some soup bones + chicken wings then dry biscuit or make up a 'soup' of rice, bits or chicken etc.
I don't do pet insurance and buy toys from Reject ShopAs knick007 said PLEASE only buy from a registered Breeder not Gumtree etc. They must tell you about hip scores etc and be able to meet parents.
A home is not a home without a big dog!
If this is your first time to own a dog I would strongly recommend starting with a smaller breed.
All dogs enjoy playing rough with their owners (eg. jumping, biting, scratching). Dog training is especially important. Due to the size and physicality of large dogs it's very easy for an owner to become fearful of their own dog. You'll also find that friends and family will visit you less due to fear of your pet.
If you are not a very strong person then dog walking and controlling two dogs fighting will be very difficult.
I had the same dilemma a while back - either get a dog or a motorbike. I flipped a coin and ended up getting a motorbike.
But do have a read of what has been posted above. I provide no advice but their feedback is extremely valuable. I don't recommend flipping a coin to decide whether you get a dog or not.
asking those questions tells me that you shouldn't get one. it's not a 'financial' decision. we once had a dog that we spent $6k on vet bills, still ended up being happy about the whole experience.
Lots of fantastic advice. The only thing that I would disagree with is fossilfuel's motor bike decision. Generally dogs are safer :)
So many things can be wrong with a dog that, if I ever get another dog, I will insist on getting a vet check up. A bit like NRMA inspection on a used car. Dogs don't come with a warranty, and by the time that u find out there are, for example, knee or hip problems, you are in love with the dog, and the bills and angst begin.