Prices for a quality, healthy puppy do not start or stop with the puppy...
it's a reflection of the breeder's practices year round, even when there are no puppies. It's very expensive maintaining healthy adults year round. Food, vet care, heart worm meds, grooming supplies, bedding, crates, pens, fencing, LAWN CARE (POOPER SCOOPING), cleaning supplies, tons of washing...I could go on and on, but please be assured that if a breeding program is done correctly with love and compassion, it all adds up and 1200 for a puppy is extremely fair IMO. I will not even go into the costs of showing for those of you who have "ch sired" or "champion parents" pups.
That's why I get very irritated with the thought of pet stores, mills and brokers..they have NO CLUE.