I do not think $950 is pricey as people sell their pups for the same prices with, AKC & CKC and other registries all the time but...if you want to breed it's best you get an AKC girl. My first girl was CKC (I did not know better) but all my new ones are AKC, it would also be good if you could find one with some good bloodlines if you are planning to breed.
I would keep looking...