In this post I would like to give my opinion on this topic. This question comes up a lot when people want to get a dog, and there are numerous posts about it on the internet, but in my experience, we still need to emphasize some things about this choice.
I'm comitted to adoption, I already adopted two dogs and all my partner's dogs were adopted too. Here is Nelson, my current dog:
He is a very high energy dog, needs a lot of exercise and training. I am his 4th owner and he is barely older than 1 year. Before me, no one taught him anything, he did not know how to listen to people or how to live with them in harmony. This can cause a lot of problems, such as separation related disorders and other behavioral issues. Nelson has problems staying home alone as you can see on my door:
Resolving these issues takes a lot of time and almost always requires a professional trainer experienced in behavioral issues. So it1s not always sunshine and happiness with adopetd dogs, you should choose carefully and know yourself and what you are capable of. Of course my example does not mean that all adopted dogs have problems, but be prepared.
If you buy a dog from a responsible breeder you get a dog who is healthy with a stable nervous system, and was properly raised by his mother. At least this should be the case if you choose a respectable breeder who has properly registered dogswith all the screening tests. These dogs can cost a lot.
The initial price of the dog should not be a concern!!!
If you are nott willing to pay the price for a proper registered dog from a respectable breeder than think again. You will pay way more during the lifespan of the dog. The purchase price is nothing compared to that. People often buy cheaper dogs from non-responsible breeders, but in the end they pay 10x more at the vet or trainers, because these dogs often have unstable nervous system and health issues. Or they just leave them on the side of a road or in better cases, drop them in a shelter...
Do your research about the breeders. If the dogs are suspiciously cheap, you can get them younger than 8 weeks old, you can not see their parents or they don't show you where the puppies grow up for example, and they sell them without proper registration, walk away.