What Is the Real Cost of Owning a German Shorthaired Pointer? What Owners Must Know

Quick Take

• Most people shop for pet insurance after something goes wrong, which is exactly when it stops working in your favor. See insurance pitfalls →
• Not every "rescue" is what it claims to be. Some are puppy mills hiding behind a rescue label. Spot reputable breeders →
• The first-year cost isn't just higher than you'd expect. The gap between year one and every year after it is staggering. See first-year costs →
• When you spay or neuter your GSP matters just as much as whether you do, and most owners get the timing wrong. Get the timing right →

The German shorthaired pointer, or GSPs, can vary drastically in price depending on your budget and the cost of living in your area. It’s easy to splurge on your pup, but it’s also okay to scale back and stick to a lower budget if needed. Most people will pay around $5,300 for their German shorthaired pointer in the first year, and $2,300 in the following years. This includes pet insurance, routine veterinary care, kibble, and more. In this article, we’ll break down every cost for your GSP to help you decide what to budget for.

How Much Does a German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy Cost?

German shorthaired pointer puppies from reputable breeders can cost anywhere from $800-$3,000 or more. Rescue GSPs will cost $500 or less, depending on the organization. When adopting a German shorthaired pointer, it’s vital to do your research. Reputable breeders will:

• Have up-to-date OFA health testing for both parents and will never breed dogs with genetic health conditions.
• Go out of their way to keep their dogs out of shelters. They should stipulate in your contract that the dog goes back to them if you need to rehome them, and should also keep their name on the microchip.
• Find homes for puppies before they’re born, and care where their dogs end up. There will likely be a waitlist, and you shouldn’t be able to take a puppy home immediately.
• Let you see where the dogs are raised, and won’t meet in a secondary location such as a parking lot to hand off dogs.
• Breed infrequently and are knowledgeable about their breed. Having many litters available at once is a red flag that likely means you’re dealing with a puppy mill.
• Provide references including their veterinarian and past puppy adopters.
• Answer your questions honestly, and ask questions in return to ensure you’re a good fit for the puppy.

Reputable rescues should be registered non-profits. “Rescues” with many litters of young puppies can be puppy mills in disguise, so it’s important to ask questions.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a German Shorthaired Pointer

Your GSP puppy may vary in price depending on their lineage, the time put in by the breeder, and the cost of living in the breeder’s area. When a breeder has champion show dogs, they’re likely to charge more for the puppies. Dogs from champion bloodlines could cost up to $5,000 or even more.

All breeders should put time and effort into socializing and early training, but those who go above and beyond or keep the puppies longer than usual might charge more for their time. Lastly, you’re more likely to find a less expensive GSP puppy in the suburbs or rural areas, where there’s a lower cost of living, than in a big city. The lower cost of living makes it more affordable for breeders to care for their dogs.

Cost of Vaccinations and Other Medical Expenses for German Shorthaired Pointers

For many, veterinary care is the most expensive part of dog ownership. It’s important to account for routine visits, sick visits, and emergency care because these costs can quickly add up.

Vaccines

First-year vaccinations for your German shorthaired pointer can be expensive, especially if you’re planning on bringing your dog into public often or engaging with other dogs. This is because many vaccine recommendations depend on your dog’s lifestyle. General costs are around $25-$75 per vaccine.

Getting only the core vaccines (rabies and DHLPP, which is distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvo) will cost $125-$375 during year one and $50-$300 every three years after, depending on the cost and how frequently your vet recommends the DHLPP vaccine. It can be given yearly or once every three years.

Fortunately, most dogs don’t need every vaccine. Have an open conversation with your veterinarian about your lifestyle, risks in your area, and what they recommend for your dog. Below is a list of vaccines and when they should be given, to allow you to budget for what’s important to you.

Spay or Neuter Surgery

Spaying or neutering your German Shorthaired Pointer at a veterinary clinic can cost anywhere from $300-$800, with some clinics charging more. There are also low-cost spay and neuter clinics for those who can’t afford this price.

Spaying or neutering your GSP is important to their health, and can also reduce some behavioral problems, particularly in males. Most veterinarians recommend waiting until a dog is fully grown to reduce their chances of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Check-Ups

Your GSP should see the veterinarian for a check-up at least once a year. This wellness exam should include things like routine bloodwork, a fecal test to check for parasites, and a heartworm test before renewing your dog’s heartworm prevention medication.

You can also use this appointment to get any needed vaccines or medications and to bring up any questions you have about your dog’s health. You can expect to pay $50-$250 per visit, depending on which tests are run or which medicines are administered.

Parasite Prevention Medications

Parasite prevention medications greatly reduce your dog’s chance of catching fleas, mites, ticks, heartworms, and other pests. Your dog should ideally be on this medication year-round, but this will cost around $200-$500 a year.

Sometimes, more than one medication is needed to cover all of the parasites in your area. Some medications only cover certain types of ticks, and many don’t include heartworm prevention.

Dental Cleanings

Most veterinarians recommend dental cleanings once yearly, but many dogs won’t require this if their teeth are brushed at home. There are also other dental health products you can use to reduce plaque such as chews or water additives.

Dental cleanings range in price depending on your area, and you may end up paying much more if your dog needs teeth removed during the cleaning. Your vet should be able to offer you an estimate beforehand for any dental work needed, and many will call to okay pulling teeth should they find something unexpected. Cleanings generally cost $300-$700+ each.

Sick Vet Visits

There is such a wide range of ailments that German Shorthaired Pointers can develop, there’s no true estimate for sick or emergency vet care. The best thing you can do to reduce unexpected costs is to purchase health insurance with good coverage.

Some illnesses will require one vet visit with a relatively low bill, while others may require you to purchase medication for the rest of your dog’s life. Sometimes extensive testing or veterinary specialists are required to diagnose the issue, or the dog needs expensive treatment such as surgery to cure the problem.

Your primary veterinarian will charge the lowest prices, while emergency clinics and veterinary specialists will charge much more. Some common health problems you might see in your German Shorthaired Pointer include hip dysplasia, bloat, and hypothyroidism.

Cost of Food and Supplies for German Shorthaired Pointer

When estimating the cost of owning a German Shorthaired Pointer, be sure to account for food and other essential supplies. While some items are one-time purchases, others will need to be replaced or upgraded as your puppy grows.

Food

German Shorthaired Pointers are large dogs, so they do eat a lot of food! You can expect to pay around $500+ a year for a veterinarian-recommended kibble. There are also many good kibbles on the shelves that cost less and some that cost more. Canned, fresh, and raw food can easily cost double or more what you’d pay to feed kibble only. You can also combine foods–for instance, feeding half canned food and half kibble.

While there are many strong opinions out there about dog food, you typically can’t go wrong with one that follows WSAVA guidelines for a science-based diet. It’s also worth noting that the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) both recommend against raw diets. This isn’t to say you can’t feed raw, but that knowing its risks is important. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian what type of food they recommend for your pup. They can discuss your options based on your budget and any special dietary requirements your GSP has.

Initial Purchases

Initial purchases can cost $150-$600 and include things you’ll purchase before bringing your puppy home or shortly after.

Things to consider buying for your German shorthaired pointer include:

• A collar and leash
• Food and water bowls
• Grooming supplies, including nail clippers and a dog brush
• Harness (optional)
• Crate for inside the home
• Crash-tested dog seatbelt or car crate (optional, but highly recommended)

Luckily, most items on this list can be purchased for $20 or less. The most expensive purchases on this list are the last two items. You will need a dog-proofed area of some sort for your GSP to stay while unsupervised. Most people purchase a crate so the dog has its own space and a place to feel safe. This is especially crucial during puppyhood or until they learn the rules of the house. Though purchasing a dog seatbelt or car crate is also optional, it is highly recommended. It can save your dog’s life in a crash. Crash-tested items tend to be more expensive, but also more effective.

Repeat Purchases

Frugal pet owners may spend very little on repeat purchases each year, while others may spend thousands spoiling their dogs.

Repeat purchases for your GSP may include:

• Treats
• Toys
• Dental hygiene items such as dog toothpaste or dental chews

Household Purchases

Household purchases are another cost that’s tricky to predict without knowing your lifestyle. Some people will purchase nothing in this category, while others may already have a dog-friendly home setup because their GSP isn’t their first dog. On the other hand, some people will spend thousands to fence in a large backyard for their pup.

Items in this category include:

• Fencing
• Pet gates
• Furniture covers
• Car seat covers
• Cleaning supplies
• Ramps or stairs to help your dog get on and off furniture, or in and out of the car

These things aren’t necessarily for your dog, but make living with them easier and are sometimes necessary to provide appropriate care.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a German Shorthaired Pointer?

You can find pet insurance for your German Shorthaired Pointer at $45-$75+ a month. Things to look for alongside price include deductibles, the percent of the vet bill the insurance company will cover, and what exactly they cover.

It’s important to read carefully and to know that most companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. For example, if your dog is diagnosed with an ailment that requires expensive surgery, you can’t purchase pet insurance afterward and expect it to cover that surgery. However, if you already have a plan in effect before the diagnosis, it will likely be covered. Some plans cover wellness visits, often for an additional fee, while others only cover illness and accidents.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a German Shorthaired Pointer?

If you train your German Shorthaired Pointer yourself, you’ll only have to pay for training supplies such as a clicker or dog treats. This makes training nearly free, since you are likely buying treats anyway.

The next price tier is typically puppy classes. These are group classes that teach you and your dog basic obedience and other essential skills. They’re great for socialization and for new dog guardians to learn more about training. Puppy classes typically cost $150–$300 for a 4 to 6-week course, and you can often buy additional classes to learn more advanced training once your initial course is complete.

Individual sessions with a trainer are typically the most expensive. They can also be the most helpful, especially if you’re dealing with behavioral problems that you cannot resolve on your own. These sessions may cost $50–$150+ per hour. Board and train courses or day camps can cost $1,000–$5,000+ depending on the duration and how specialized the training is.