What high potential cost down the road does the cheapest available German Shepherd puppy often carry if it lacks proper health screening?
Future unexpected medical bills due to genetic issues like hip or elbow dysplasia
A critical warning associated with choosing the least expensive puppy involves significant future financial risk, especially concerning orthopedic health common to the breed. While saving money upfront, such as avoiding the $2,000 difference between a cheap puppy and a vetted one, seems appealing, this saving is frequently negated by subsequent expenses. If the parents were not properly screened for conditions like hip or elbow dysplasia, the resulting puppy has a high potential to develop these issues later. A single orthopedic surgery required at a young age due to undiagnosed dysplasia can easily cost $5,000 or more, wiping out any initial savings multiple times over and drastically increasing the true total cost of ownership.
