I would never have an purebred dog. I used to train German Shepherds and the problems Meat said happens to almost every one that's purebred, along with the seizures Blacksheep mentioned, VERY common in purebred dogs because of the inbreeding. The AKC people are psycho, they don't see a problem with inbreeding. My dog I have now is a Black Lab/Australian Shepherd mix. wouldn't give her up for anything. Dogs are awesome but I'd never have a purebred. (and the cost has nothing to do with it, granted I'd never pay that much for a dog either).