Forget the cost of a breeder dog. If that's your problem, you might want to reconsider why you want a dog. $2,000 for a high end breed that lives for a minimum 10 years is $200 a year. How much do you pay for your phone per month?
If you want to think that you're saving a life by getting a rescue dog, go for it. But be prepared to step up if the dog has issues. Commit to solving those issues whether it be behavior or medical. I feel like too many people get rescue dogs for the appearance of being sympathetic. "Oh, I got him as a rescue, he was about to be put down." Then when issues pop up, the dog gets locked in a kennel all day or dropped back off at the shelter. This often exacerbates their existing problems.( Letting medical issues linger untreated or behavior issues worse like anxiety) This is the reason that good shelters interview adopters and make house visits. If you catch these people early, you can prevent them from ruining an otherwise adoptable dog.
For people who want more of a sure thing on getting a well behaved dog without medical issues, that's when you go breeder. I argue that the vast majority of dog owners should be going this way, especially if you are a first time dog owner. Most people I see are unwilling to dedicate more than an hour a day to their pets. That's pretty much feed, walk and bathroom break. That's not enough time to care for a special needs dogs or to fix issues.
