I hope this isn't a vulgar or offensive question, I know that it's not generally polite to discuss
money 
, but-
Can anyone tell me how much I can expect to pay for a puppy from a top-quality, nationally renowned breeder?
Yesterday I contacted a major (in the sense of quality!) national breeder, always very active and successful in national conformation shows and Schutzhund trials. He has a litter arriving on Monday or Tuesday of next week, borne of beautiful, heavily-titled dogs (the sire was Ch. Italiano di Bellezza, to name one of them); he was very nice and forthcoming with background information, both about the dam and sire and about the kennel itself. He told me to recontact him next friday for details, after he has had time to evaluate the puppies.
I didn't feel comfortable broaching the price subject point-blank during our first conversation, but I really do have no idea if his prices will be accessible to me. And I can't wait until Friday to find out whether or not I will be able to afford a daughter of champions- I don't want to spend all of this coming week getting my heart set on a puppy that might be out of my range! Could any of you help me out? I don't know who else to ask- my trainer is out of town- and I don't want to rattle the breeder by calling again and mentioning lucre before the puppies are even born!
If it helps at all, in Italy one generally pays between 750 and 1000 Euros (about 750-1000 American dollars) for a Rottie pup from a lesser-known and less 'stellar' breeder. If that price doubles or even triples for the offspring of 'famous' dogs, then I should be fine. But if it multiplies by five or ten....!!!
Thanks as always,
Michela