I concur - Shepherd breeding has improved so much in the last 20 years, from severe culling in the breed. It improved the pups and, the life expectancies and conformation of the breed so that people aren't scared to get them anymore. I remember the bad old days of heartbroken friends putting down 5yo dogs If you still have these issues with a shepherd, I'd be taking it up with the breeder and letting the breed associations know what's going on - it is in their best interests for them to know.
I've only ever had one purebred dog, he was free from a friend who's dad was a breeder (couldn't find a home for this older pup, but was mad as hell when he was offered for free!!). Gorgeous dog with a great nature, who had a heart murmer in the end and arthritis - the latter could be due to him living till 13 years of age, which is about 4 years longer than expected.
The rest of my beloved dogs in my life have been bitzers. The most gorgeous one that was hit by a car was ENTIRE when I privately adopted him! He was in his second home already with NO FENCE and a friggin hole in the screen door he leapt in and out of. He was a pet shop dog originally. I hate pet shops that sell live animals with a passion.
Bitzers are often great. VERY often (more often than you'll hear about) they are NOT great. Hybrid vigour in oopsie-bred dogs is a MYTH. You get some healthy ones and then you get some true duds. That's hardly a case for proceeding with an oopsie dog pregnancy.
WRT the OP, I hope it is a phantom. If not, definitely ask the vets in your area if they'll do a hardship case, or even a vet attached to the local shelter, for a cut-price deal. It would have to be a mercenary vet who would not co-operate with this kind of request.