Sonlight Ridge Aussies

Raised by Cheryl M.

Certified Breeder of Miniature Australian Shepherds and Toy Australian Shepherds

  • Certified Good Dog Breeder

Meet the breeder

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!

Cheryl’s experience

  • 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

Puppies

Zion

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Acadia

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Kenai

Reserved

Female • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Ranier

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Bryce

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Teton

Reserved

Male • Went Home July 15, 2024

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Search puppies near you

Newborn & upcoming litters

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

Learn more about Good Dog

Getting a puppy from Cheryl

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.

Price

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.”

Contract and health guarantee

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.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What's included

Enrichment and socialization

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.

 … 
Puppy health practices

All puppies are vaccinated and health checked before joining their new family.

Extras

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.

Bringing your puppy home

Cheryl offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.

Pick up your puppy in California, KY or nearby

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.

Get your puppy dropped off to you

Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.

More about Cheryl

  • 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.

  • Cheryl’s links

Cheryl is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Sonlight Ridge Aussies meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Meet Cheryl's parent dogs

All breeds

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Parent health testing

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Toy Australian Shepherd

Breeder-Reported Testing

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).

Verified owner stories

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...

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    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...

    MM

    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...