Responsible breeding is very costly. Many good breeders lose money on their litters. As an idea and an example, a breeder of a litter of 6 German Shepherd pups may have paid:

• $200.00 for an OFA/OVC/SV screening and evaluation
• $30.00 for the yearly CERF screen
• $80.00 for a cardiac exam
• $85.00 for a brucellosis screening and pre-breeding exam
• $500.00 for a stud fee
• $600.00 for shipping the bitch to the stud and boarding the bitch, then shipping the bitch back
• $100.00 for pre-whelping vet visits
• $200.00 for extra food and supplements during and after the bitch's pregnancy
• $150.00 for a whelping box
• $100.00 for needed supplies for the delivery
• $50.00 for an after-birth checkup
• $300.00 for puppy food
• $300.00 for puppy checkups, shots and wormings
• $20.00 to register the litter with CKC/AKC
• $100.00 for miscellaneous puppy supplies

Thus the breeder has spent over $3000.00 on this litter. This doesn't count any medical emergencies, such as a caesarian delivery. It doesn't count the minimum 2 days off that a breeder needs to whelp the puppies. It also doesn't count all the fees for performance activities, such as conformation showing and obedience, that responsible breeders engage in to prove that their dogs are breed-worthy. This can easily cost several thousand dollars.

If you are buying a dog for $200-$500 you are most likely not buying from a responsible breeder and you are taking a huge risk that your dog will have heriditary issues like hip displasia, diodemic mange, eye, thyroid problems or unpredictable behaviour. These issues that can cause many of thousands of dollars later.

The German Shepherd dog is more often then not a product of irresponsible breeding and there are many many issues that we run into every single day most likely caused by bad breeding. Please help us promote the breed by not supporting bad breeding.