After much searching, I have narrowed my search for my first Husky pup to three breeders. I have found all of them on AKC Marketplace. I am looking for a pet, not a show dog, but I want to do my due diligence to make sure that I am buying a healthy dog from a reputable breeder. All three have been breeding in excess of 13 years, provide regular deworming, and first shots. All three provide a health guarantee.

Breeder 1 - ~$1000
Pro: "Puppies will be bi weekly dewormed, come with first set of shots and a health check up from our vet Our adult dogs are regularly dewormed and are on heart worm and flea and tick preventative"
Con: The father is wooly which I know can be a red flag. (puppies don't look wooly). "The applicable health screens have NOT been performed on the sire and dam as recommended by the Parent Club for this breed."

Breeder 2 - ~$1500
Pro:  "Health & Vaccines. We are state licensed. We vet check and microchip all our puppies. They are healthy, happy and outgoing pups. Everybody will be wormed from two weeks on and have two shots before they leave us. You will receive a shot record."
Con: "The applicable health screens have NOT been performed on the sire and dam as recommended by the Parent Club for this breed."

Breeder 3 - ~$2000
Pro: Father is "Best of Breed & Working Group 1". Father and mother are AKC pointed. "De-wormed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. 5 way puppy shot at 8 weeks. Microchipped at 8 weeks. Interstate Health Certificates by Licensed vet." "The applicable health screens HAVE been performed on the sire and dam as recommended by the Parent Club for this breed."
Con: N/A

So expense being a serious consideration for me, what do you experts think? At what point does responsible become picky? Thanks for any input, I truly appreciate it.

As always, the caveat that you get what you pay for applies.

While most puppies are happy, roly-poly bundles of fur and fun, it isn't till the pup becomes a 3+ year old dog that the types of problems that the normal health screens detect would occur. The fact that the normal health screens (I presume you're meaning OFA/CERF and dysplasia xrays) haven't been performed leaves you holding the bag (er, not) should anything develop. I'd avoid these breeders since they would seem to be more concerned about their pocket than your future with the dog...

You said that you're looking for a pet so I presume that the pup will be neutered - the fact that there are woolly genes in the mix shouldn't matter. That said though, since being a woolly is a fault in the show arena and a hazard in the working arena - the breeder is doing a disservice by breeding him. The fact that they are suggests that they are less than quality breeders - I'd avoid them.

As you've written them up, I - of course - like breeder 3. Hopefully you get what you pay for.

I agree with Al. The third breeder would be my pick, though they are on the high side. Reputable breeders used to be much cheaper. But very high quality breeders that aren't in it for the money won't advertise. You would need to attend some shows or working competitions to find those. they are usually breeding to further their own lines for their working purposes, those dogs are proven, and they only sell off the pups that don't meet their high standard or need. And they may only breed once every couple/few years.