I would also baulk at the price, but i really think that it comes down to research and knowing the breeder. make sure you can visit the actual premises (this is a biggie to avoiding 'fake' breeders...ie puppy farms). check out both the parents for temperment and see the way in which mumma is with her pups and with other people. it is a big investment (a lifetime!) and is your right to know exactly what you are bringing home.

Also, i recommend keeping an eye out on petrescue and purebred rescue websites. there are a few around these days and could be a way of seeing what else is on offer. i know for example that the RSPCA in canberra would get alot of labradoodles into their shelters and i remember the carers always commenting on how lovely they are.

TBH the initial buy price fades away fast anyway. things can always go wrong...even with a cheapo rescue dog! our Dawg Stella needs a full knee reconstruction for $3.5K, she has epilepsy, incontinence the works LOL! poor wee poppet. and she was a bog standard lab x rescue pup. (it's for this reason that i recommend checking out BOTH parents! in our case Dad Dog was the 'lucky dip' LOL!).