Shelties are a great breed but letting your potential dog have a litter first is hurting the breed even more.

Here's a link to my all time favorite article. I've posted it many times here because it's a very honest article and from other breeders who experienced this first hand. http://www.mydogsite.com/boards/inde...=ST&f=2&t=810&

With that being said, shelties are a great breed. I'm owned by two and think that they're probably one of the most versatile breeds around. Mine would gladly stay on my lap all day but would hop off and run a marathon in a heartbeat if I wanted them to. A puppy though..may be pretty tough for your father. Don't get me wrong, shelties are well natured and what-not but every puppy is going to be a bit spunky and naughty at times. If you're up for it though, do whatever you can to find the best breeder around. Keep in mind that generally, you get what you pay for. If a breeder offered sheltie pups for any lower than 500, I'd have to question it because most sheltie breeders around here charge a minimum of 500.