1200 pounds is about US$2200 currently, right? For that amount you could buy a 2006 Dawg Deluxe and make the following upgrades and have plenty left over for food.
* Change stem to Thomson 80mm x 15deg. (or thereabouts)
* Change seatpost to Thomson Elite
* Change saddle to WTB Laser V Ti (or your preference, of course)
* Change tires to WTB Timberwolf 2.5 front and Panaracer Cinder 2.25 rear (or your favorites)
* Change bars to Azonic World Force 1.5" rise
* Add Oury Lock-On grips
* Buy a 3L Camelbak, patch kit, pump, spare tube, bottle of Dumonde Tech chain lube
All of the above made me one of the happiest riders I know. Many hundreds of dirt miles later I'm still grinning. My souped up Dawg and I are inseparable.
Or for US$100 more you could just go for the Dawg Primo and have a better fork.