The value of a breeder may lie less in the breed and more in the care shown to the animal: genetic tests to avoid heritable conditions (eg hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy), socialization, and simply that every human a well bred dog has met has been awesome to them. I'm on my second rescue, and there was a years-long process to get him to like humans. He was scared even of my ski friends we saw every weekend. And the first rescue dog came with medical issues that ended up costing me $15k (it was worth every penny, but I wish we hadn't gone through that.)

Plus it's worth understanding how an animal will behave; compare the activity requirements of a great dane that is relatively easy to wear out vs a border collie that requires hours a day of work. The second rescue was a cattle dog mix and needs 20 minutes of frisbee in the afternoon and a vigorous hour in the dog park every day to wear out, plus the usual walks.