Sterley Shepherds

Michelle S.

Breeder of German Shepherds

  • Newaygo, MI
  • Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm Michelle S., the breeder behind Sterley Shepherds located in Newaygo, MI. At Sterley Shepherds, our journey began over 9 years ago with a deep love for the German Shepherd breed. Located in Newaygo, Michigan, we specialize in West German show line long-haired German Shepherds bred for health, structure, temperament, and intelligence. Our breeding program focuses on imported, titled, and health-tested parents to ensure the highest quality in our puppies. We raise each litter in our home, using Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI), along with early crate and potty training to give them the best start in life. Our puppies are confident, loyal, and well-socialized—making them excellent companions for families, working homes, or future show prospects. Whether you're looking for a best friend or a beautifully bred German Shepherd with strong genetics, we’re here to help you find your perfect match. We are proud of our reputation and are always available to support our puppy families for the lifetime of their dog.

Q. & A. with Michelle

  • Why did you start breeding?

    I am purposeful in everything I do regarding my dogs, including careful selection of breeding dogs and extensive health testing. My goal is to produce healthy dogs with great temperaments, working drives, and conformation that are exemplary representations of the breed.

  • What makes your program special?

    I do not breed my dogs unless they are fully healthy and genetically tested. I am dedicated to always having responsible policies when it comes to breeding, socializing, and training my pups. I strive to breed healthy, quality pups that can fit any lifestyle. I love what I do and truly want the very best for my puppies and their forever families.

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

    Our puppies include long, stock, and plush coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.

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

    Our puppies include black and black and red. 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 Michelle

Michelle 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.

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 include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $2,000 - $3,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

"Price includes registration, vet check with vaccinations, deworming , microchip, small bag if food and lifetime support from us. We require a deposit to hold puppy."

Contract & health guarantee

Michelle 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 Michelle 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 Michelle directly.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

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
      • AKC registration
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Initial potty training
      • Basic obedience & manners
      • Registration
      • Food & treats
      • Toys
      • Puppy starter kit

Location & pick-up

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

Breeder's location

Meet in Newaygo, MI

527 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Gerald R. Ford Airport

497 miles away

·

Flexible meeting point

Michelle can meet at a location that works for both of you

More about Michelle

  • Michelle has been a member of Good Dog for over 4 years

    Michelle was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.

  • Michelle’s links

Michelle is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Sterley Shepherds 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

Great level

Sterley Shepherds 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 German Shepherds.

  • Hip Dysplasia

    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.

  • Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)

    Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (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.

  • Full Embark Panel

    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 Michelle to bring home their puppies.

  • Belinda G.

    Verified owner · Feb. 2026

    From the very beginning, choosing Michelle (Sterley Shepherds)was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. She didn’t just give us a puppy — she changed our lives forever. Our sweet girl Nala is truly the greatest gift of life. She is healthy, loving, well-socialized, and full of so much joy, and it’s so clear how much love, care, and dedication went into raising her. You can tell that Michelle pours her heart into what she does and genuinely cares about every single puppy long after they go home. She was supportive, transparent, and always there to answer our questions, making the entire process feel personal, reassuring, and full of love. Because of her, our home is fuller, our hearts are happier, and our days are brighter. We will be forever grateful for Nala and for the incredible human who brought her into our lives. Thank you for giving us the most precious gift we could ever receive.

    EC

    Erin C.

    Verified owner · July 2025

    Working with Michelle was absolutely amazing! I can tell she really loves working with her dogs. She is very knowledgeable and very well experienced. She answered every question I had and was very patient with me. The minute our new puppy pink in aka Velma came into our life everything was perfect. Velma is already so well behaved and I've only had her for 24 hours. Going through Good Dog made it super easy finding the right breed and it made it easy to talk to Michelle! I highly recommend Sterley Shepherds to anyone looking for a beautiful German Shepherd.

    Rachelle A.

    Verified owner · Nov. 2024

    Michelle was an absolute pleasure to work with through the puppy process. She cares deeply for each and every puppy and dog parent that she has. She was responsive to all my questions and always got back to me right away. We were able to go visit and pick our puppy and she spend a lot of time with us to make sure we had all the answers to our questions and felt comfortable. After we picked up our puppy she checked in with us often. She is a wonderful breeder and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a German Shepherd.

  • KH

    Katelynn H.

    Verified owner · July 2025

    Michelle was very responsive. She was patient and kind answering all our questions. She asked if we had a name picked out and her family started to get him familiar with his name. Here’s the best part, Michelle breeds the best German shepherds you will ever meet. Rex has the best temperament you could ever ask for. I’m talking about when he met our cat, he literally sat down from a distance and just watched our cat. No dog has ever done that before. He knows when you are upset and he will go to you to comfort you. He is absolutely playful but has such an amazing behavior. Rex is such a quicker learner. He is learning commands quickly! He has the softest fur you will ever touch. He also is not destructive with toys. He plays with them very well. Our other dog destroys them. Rex has really completed our family. He brings us so much joy and laughs! Rex’s parents have a clean bill of health. The dogs Michelle breeds is the reason you should get one. This is our family’s third German shepherd and we cannot believe how lucky we got with him. We won the lottery with our Rex. We know the best is yet to come with having Rex be part of our family. Thank you Michelle!

    JE

    Jordan E.

    Verified owner · July 2025

      • +6

    Michelle was so knowledgeable and helpful with letting us get Freya. The puppies there are well taken care of and set up for success when they find their forever home. From when you first meet Michelle you can tell that she really loves and cares about the puppies that she has. It was a pleasure to get our gsd from sterley shepherds. Thank you Michelle!

    CH

    Chris H.

    Verified owner · Apr. 2024

    Was a good experience. Responded quickly and had an answer to any question I had.

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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.

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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