pressmom, they're cute little dogs so don't get me wrong, getting one from a shelter is great! the money you pay goes back into the shelter system and will usually cover shots, worming, and spay/neuter. Breeders usually just say that they vaccinated the dog (and then the owners get mad when we want written proof) and they let the owner worry about everything else. Not all breeders are bad, but the ones that charge a ridiculous amount for a 'mix' dog usually are a bit shady.
Nyanko... seriously? $600? Wow, I've never heard of a maltipoo (or similar) go for that much! Then again, it seems like a lot of the regular breeds still stay at $400 and under. Maybe I live in a cheap area?