The price variation within the US (or UK or Ireland or anywhere) - as opposed to the price variation between countries -- is a little misleading. There is definitely a price range for a dog from a reputable breeder in the US as opposed to BYBs, brokers, trash breeders, puppy mill dogs.... a bargain does not exist, and a low priced puppy is a sure sign of a questionable source (specially anything below $1000 in the US -- I'd really expect a dg from a good breeder at this point to be at least $1500. Dogs as with many other things tend to be lower in the middle states and higher on the coasts. Really high prices (over about $27500) to me would also be suspect as often it is the crap breeders and brokers selling crap dogs on open registration so others can set up a breeding farm for this horribly exploited breed
or are shysters claiming their crap dogs are 'show quality' or 'champion stock' (there are of course good breeders selling at higher prices too, so research is all-important!). Such claims are highly suspect as reputable breeders would never sell on open (breeding) registration, and in the US/Canada would almost ALWAYS have a spay/neuter clause for ownership. Also, what some say are healthy, 'tested', champion dogs are often just the opposite -- questionably obtained dogs, dogs that had champions in their background generations ago (every puppy farm/mill dog would be the same!); dogs that have only been seen by an often paid-off vet who churns out such approvals and makes lots of money himself this way... The best way to vet a breeder and to verify that breeding stock are properly tested is to
start with the suggestions here.
You see the same in Ireland and the UK -- really cheap puppies in the small ads or shop windows, but also overpriced dogs from what are obviously trash breeders making ridiculous claims and taking advantage of underinformed puppy buyers.
The low cost UK MRIs are minimal scans designed for breeders to scan and grade breeding stock so they better know the state of their own lines. They wouldn't be the norm by any means and prices for medical scans (eg for diagnosis) wold be in line with the US. Prices can vary quite a bit for MRIs so it is worth calling around. Also in the UK, pet owners can sometimes get in on the UK club scan days at low cost (or those organised by Mark Marshall) and this may interest some who simply want to get a scan of their dog. If you do so, please be sure to submit the results to Sarah Blott (PM me for more info).
As always, knowledge is your best tool when screening breeders and looking for a healthfocused, reputable breeder, not cost of puppies or what might be claimed on a website or in person. Learning what to look for and why and what to ask is important and healthfocused breeders will, truly, welcome a buyer who knows and cares about these issues.
The ones to avoid are those that have lots of 'yes, but' responses.