I'm the breeder behind Sonlight Ridge Aussies located in California, KY. We decided to start breeding to share our puppies and the love and joy that having a companion dog brings. Our puppies have the best of starts as we emphasize daily socialization, handling and play to bring you a loving, loyal and healthy 4-legged family member!
About Cheryl
I am an animal lover and advocate. As a veterinarian with over 35 years of experience I value the health and care of all my animals. We have a small hobby farm near Cincinnati where we raised our nine children with sheep, horses, cats and of course, our 5 dogs. Our dogs are family members and share our home as well as help "run" the farm when they aren't taking up their space on the sofas!
What makes Cheryl’s program special
As a vet, I meet so many puppies as patients who have been purchased from a puppy mill or similar type breeder with health issues or who lack socialization. At Sonlight Ridge Aussies, our puppies truly are raised in our home, handled daily by our children & grandchildren & have age appropriate socialization. We are passionate about matching socialized and healthy puppies with their fur-ever homes!
Cheryl’s certifications & recognitions
Licensed Veterinarian
Zion
Male • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Acadia
Female • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Kenai
Female • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Ranier
Male • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Bryce
Male • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Teton
Male • Went Home July 15, 2024
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Search puppies near you
Planned Miniature Australian Shepherds from Krum and Trix
Due May 2025. Ready July 2025
Planned Miniature Australian Shepherds from Krum and Blaise
Due June 2025. Ready July 2025
Planned Miniature Australian Shepherds from Krum and Trix
Due May 2025
Ready July 2025
Planned Miniature Australian Shepherds from Krum and Blaise
Due June 2025
Ready July 2025
What is Good Dog?
A nationwide network of certified breeders
Direct connections with breeders
Safe payments, backed by our guarantee
Cheryl has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Puppy prices range from $700 - $1,500 and include a non-refundable deposit of $200.
“The price includes ASDR paper, age-appropriate vaccinations administered by a vet & complete physical exam, dewormings, 1 month heartworm, flea & tick prevention, genetic Aussie panel clear by parentage, & 1 year health guarantee. Deposit on natural tail length puppies is from waitlist and/or with puppy selection within 48 hours of birth.”
Cheryl may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Cheryl offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cheryl directly.
Our puppies are socialized using puppy culture methodology, litter trained, crate transported in automobile as well as initial crate training. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other dogs, Scent introduction, Exposed to Visitors, exposure to agility tunnel, wobble board and other novel items, Potty opportunities on various surfaces, Puppy Culture , Leash Training, Early stages of crate training, Outdoors (when Weather permits), Socialized with Other Animals, adventure box, Various Surfaces , Noises , Strangers, Stores, Structures, e.g. Climbing, Chew, e.g. Bone, Toys, e.g. Ball, Grooming Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with other animals, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Cats, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Daily handling, Socialized with children, Socialized in new places, Surface & tactile stimulation, Various sounds, Socialization with Other Dogs, Riding in car, Confidence building, problem solving, eye contact, Initiate No-Bite Training, Small dog interaction, Some Livestock, Grooming and Nail Care, Sit Command, Beginning Basic Recall , outside play, We introduce collar and leash training, Early socialization, Initial House Training, Litter Box Trained, Noise desensitization, Behavioral shaping , Car Training , Human Interactions , Puppy Manners, Crate Training, Puppy Culture , Name recognition , Leash Walking, Car rides, and Potty Training.
All puppies are vaccinated and health checked before joining their new family.
We send our puppies home with Initial potty training, Puppy starter kit, Toys, Food & treats, Vet records, Basic obedience & manners, Registration, Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Blanket with Littermates' and Mom's scents, Dew claws removed, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Breed Club Registration, Food Starter Bag, and Certificate of Health.
Cheryl offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.
Why Cheryl started breeding
My love for the Aussie breed began when I adopted Pascal, a tri-color Miniature Australian shepherd, who needed a home at the veterinary clinic where I work. I saw how intelligent, fun, loving and loyal the breed is and as a veterinarian with my level of experience had a passionate desire to share quality all-around great puppies with others.
Cheryl has been a member of Good Dog for almost 2 years
Cheryl was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.
Cheryl’s program has one size
Cheryl’s Miniature Australian Shepherd puppies are miniature size. Sizes will vary by litter based on the parent dogs.
Cheryl’s program includes eight colors
Cheryl’s Miniature Australian Shepherd puppies include red tri, black tri, red merle, and blue merle. Cheryl’s Toy Australian Shepherd puppies include blue merle, red merle, red tri, and black tri. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Sonlight Ridge Aussies meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
All breeds
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Miniature Australian Shepherd
About Trix
Meet Bellatrix, or “Trix” for short, our first Miniature Australian Shepherd female. Trix was born Spring 2021 and is registered with the American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR). She is a beautiful blue merle with striking blue eyes. Trix has a very sweet, loving temperament and is the official welcoming committee chair for guests in our home. Trix loves people and to be petted - she truly has never met a stranger! Trix has a clear/clean health certificate.
Good health testing
Animal Genetics Panel
Miniature Australian Shepherd
About Blaise
Blaise rarely takes her eyes off of me and if indoors is under a kitchen chair watching for my next move. She is adventurous, loving, brave, extremely intelligent and a tom-girl. No amount of rain or snow will stop her--she's all in for any experience. She is a favorite and knows it!
Good health testing
Animal Genetics Panel
Miniature Australian Shepherd
About Krum
Krum is a super sweet loving boy. He is the official face licker of all the dogs, is loyal, and loves to be laying right beside you if he isn't out overseeing the farm activities. He entertains himself by throwing and rolling his ball or by dropping his Benebone down the steps or on the hardwood in the kitchen if he is't able to convince one of us to play with him!
Good health testing
Animal Genetics Panel
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Toy Australian Shepherd
Good level
Sonlight Ridge Aussies reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Miniature Australian Shepherds.
Hip Dysplasia (rDVM, not registered)
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Eye Examination (rDVM, not registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (rDVM, not registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Multifocal Retinopathy 1 (CMR1), Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption (IGS CUBN Exon 8), Border Collie Type, Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption (IGS), Australian Shepherd Type, Hyperuricosuria (HUU), Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataracts (HC; JC), Australian Shepherd Type, Hereditary Ataxia, Cerebellar Ataxia, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (cmr3; BEST1 Exon 10 SNP), Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataracts (HC; JC), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Hear what other owners say about working with Cheryl to bring home their puppies.
Richy C.
Aug. 2024
My wife and I received our wonderful puppy Avi From Cheryl a few weeks ago. She has been amazing through this whole process. She spent almost an hour talking with us prior to receiving Avi and was...
Anya D.
Aug. 2024
Cheryl was extremely responsive and helpful while selecting our puppy and throughout the transition process. She is very knowledgeable about the breed and each puppies characteristics and helped us in...
Alison L.
July 2024
Cheryl is wonderful! She is quick to respond, super knowledgeable, and sent photos and videos daily after we reserved our pup! She was super accommodating to pickup times and a location. Her dogs are...
Melanie M.
July 2024
My husband and I did a lot of research into breeders to ensure we were promoting a professional and loving breeder and no doubt we found it in Cheryl at Sonlight Ridge Aussies. It was obvious from...
High energy
Energy level
Not allergy-friendly
Allergy
Moderate shedding
Shedding
High energy
Energy level
Not allergy-friendly
Allergy
Moderate shedding
Shedding
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.