Sonlight Ridge Aussies

Cheryl M.

Breeder of Miniature Australian Shepherds

  • California, KY
  • Responds within an hour

Upcoming litters

Krum
Blaise

Expected Miniature Australian Shepherd litter

Due Sept. 2026

Ready Nov. 8

Meet the breeder

I'm Cheryl 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!

Q. & A. with Cheryl

  • Why did you start 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.

  • What makes your 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!

  • What are the different breed sizes in your program?

    Our puppies are miniature size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include blue merle, black tri, red tri, and red merle. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

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, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

After buyers complete the application and screening process, Cheryl partners with them to find the best puppy match.

“Once a buyer is screened and approved they have option of the available puppies. I have strict guidelines on the approval of my puppy's homes before allowing a selection. ”

Price

Puppy prices include a $300 non-refundable deposit and between $700 - $1,650 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

“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 & 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.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

You’re protected
on Good Dog

When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.

What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Microchip
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Initial potty training
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Toys
      • Food & treats
      • Basic obedience & manners
      • Registration
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Cheryl.

Breeder's location

Meet in California, KY

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport

Meet in Lexington, KY

More about Cheryl

  • Certifications & recognitions

    Licensed Veterinarian.

  • Cheryl has been a member of Good Dog for over 3 years

    Cheryl was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.

  • 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

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

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.

  • EG

    Eli G.

    Verified owner · May 2026

    Cheryl was great to work with when getting our Mini Aussie, Milo (Dustin). She was very responsive and answered any questions that we had. She also had detailed vet records along with a booklet with general guidance for Milo. Cheryl checked in with us a couple days after picking up Milo to make sure he was still doing well! From the start when we expressed interest in meeting the puppies to bringing him home (and after), Cheryl was fantastic. We felt so at ease with her, and it was an added comfort knowing she was a fantastic and dedicated veterinarian. She was transparent with us throughout the entire process and was dedicated to making sure Milo ended up in a good home with the right care. We would highly recommend her to anyone interested in getting an Aussie!

    Maureen H.

    Verified owner · Apr. 2026

    Cheryl was very kind and informative along the process. I felt very comfortable getting Mike from her, she answered any questions I had and always within a day. Mike is adorable, just like the videos she sent during the time I waited till he was eight weeks. My vet was also impressed by the thorough booklet she sent of health records and information. I'm very glad I found such a great breeder on your site.

    DL

    Dale L.

    Verified owner · Nov. 2025

    We got Bindi (Rosa) from Cheryl and the process couldn’t have been easier. She was helpful, very knowledgeable and invested that Bindi was going to a good home. Bindi is great! She’s fit right into our family.

  • Katie Anne C.

    Verified owner · Apr. 2026

    Cheryl was an absolute blessing in our search for a Mini- Aussie. She certainly made the entire process so easy from selecting our “special puppy” to the day we picked her up —-Oops, them up! They were so cute together, we absolutely had to get two of them from the litter. Today, they continue to play & are absolutely perfect for us!!

    Marissa S.

    Verified owner · Feb. 2026

    We got our Mabel August 14, 2025. Working with Cheryl was a great experience! She was very responsive and knowledgeable. She walked me through the whole process and made it easy. I especially appreciate the welcome home kit with new puppy material and habits she had prior. We have now had Mabel for 6 months and we couldn't imagine life without her! Like her mom (Blaise) she is a very smart tom-boy. She learns quickly. She loves running around outside in the mud, and especially loves when it snows so she can jump for the snowflakes and push it around with her nose. Like dad (Krum) she wants to give all the kisses, stays by my side, and also enjoys dropping her ball down the stairs and chasing it.

    Shawntelle T.

    Verified owner · Oct. 2025

    Great! Cheryl made my experience with my first pup go soooo easy. She communicated weekly or as needed to ensure I was ready to bring my pup home . I really appreciate the options for pick up and locations . Most of all my pup was sent home with most of her shots and she was trained enough at tha time for her age. Cheryl provided all her paperwork, her last few medications to go and step by step instructions on how to feed her , crate train her , register her , insure her with insurance EVERYTHING . My children love their Aussie. 💕

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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.

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