Breeding & Training Dogs for Lives of Significance & Service™ since 1977
OUR DOGS DO STUFF®
Welcome to Cher Car Kennels!
Celebrating 45 years of Serving the Dog Community
Founder CHERYL CARLSON of Cher Car Kennels in St. Johns, Michigan is one of the best known experts in the industry who has been training and breeding dogs professionally since 1977; providing guard dog service, teaching family companion dogs (manners, problem solving and behavior modification), training alert/assistance dogs, personal protection dogs and Police K-9s. Cher Car Kennels breeding program has produced more than 350 dogs (German, Belgian and Dutch Shepherds) that have gone on to certify as Police, Sheriff and Governmental Department K-9s and more than 100 dogs certified in Search and Rescue applications (wilderness, disaster, cadaver, avalanche and drowning rescue or recovery). In addition, over 200 dogs provide support as medical assistance dogs helping their owners mitigate disability related limitations by serving as Brace and Mobility (BMSD) dogs, Medical Alert (allergy, diabetic, seizure, migraine, psychiatric) service dogs, Listening Ear (hearing alert) dogs, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) service dogs and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) service dogs. The vast majority of our dogs, however, serve as loving and loyal family pets and protectors.
Current Litters
GERMAN SHEPHERDKayser & Hooligan litter born April 18, 2022. For more information, visit our GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES page.
Upcoming Litters
DUTCH SHEPHERD
Hale & Djenga litter due on or around May 12, 2022. For more information, visit our DUTCH SHEPHERD PUPPIES page.
Dog Training
Private LessonsWe have 45 years of dog training experience teaching family companions to be your best friend (manners, problem solving, behavior modification). If you need help training your dog, contact us for private lessons personalized for your specific needs. Visit our Private Lessons page for information.
Boarding SchoolWe also offer in-kennel board and train services for your dog, allowing our experienced trainers to teach your dog over a one or two week period. Visit our Boarding School Training page for more information. Group Dog Obedience Class Our next 6-week group dog obedience classes will begin on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Visit our Group Obedience Class page for more information.
Protection Dog Training for Beginner Dogs Our next 6-week group canine personal protection training class (for beginner dogs) will begin Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Visit our Personal Protection Class page for more info. Protection Dog Training for Advanced Dogs Canine Personal Protection "Bite Nights" for Advanced Dogs will be offered on an intermittent basis. Our next "Bite Night" will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Visit our Personal Protection Class page for more info.
Boarding SchoolWe also offer in-kennel board and train services for your dog, allowing our experienced trainers to teach your dog over a one or two week period. Visit our Boarding School Training page for more information. Group Dog Obedience Class Our next 6-week group dog obedience classes will begin on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Visit our Group Obedience Class page for more information.
Protection Dog Training for Beginner Dogs Our next 6-week group canine personal protection training class (for beginner dogs) will begin Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Visit our Personal Protection Class page for more info. Protection Dog Training for Advanced Dogs Canine Personal Protection "Bite Nights" for Advanced Dogs will be offered on an intermittent basis. Our next "Bite Night" will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Visit our Personal Protection Class page for more info.
Dog Boarding
Please visit our Dog Boarding page to make a reservation.
Dogs for Sale
None at this time. For more information, visit our Dogs for Sale page.
Dogs for Adoption
Belgian Malinois. Female born 8/6/2015. Highly titled competition dog with multiple High-in-Trial awards. For more information, visit our Dogs for Adoption page.
Dutch Shepherd. Male born 11/11/2011. Retired stud dog looking for comfy retirement home. He is very gentle on leash, doesn't pull or drag. Would be great as an only dog for a farm owning senior, or a rural walking companion. For more information, visit our Dogs for Adoption page.
Dogs Available to Foster
None at this time. Check our Dogs Available to Foster Homes page for the requirements to become a foster home.
Dog Safety Awareness & Bite Prevention Training
Visit our Dog Bite Prevention page for more information.

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2022 Events at Cher Car Kennels
UKC Nosework
Two trials EACH day on May 21-22, 2022 offering 2 elements each trial. For more information, click here.
UKC Dock Jumping
(FUN MATCH)2 Splashes and Fetch-It on Saturday, June 18, 2022. For more information, click here.
UAD Dock Jumping
Regional Qualifier
6 Splashes, Fetch-It, Catch-It, Chase-It on June 25-26, 2022. To learn more, click here.
UAD Dock Jumping 7 Splashes, Fetch-It, Catch-It, Chase-It on July 22-24, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Dock Jumping 6 Splashes and Fetch-It on August 5-7, 2022. For more information, click here.
Dog Sports Open Personal Protection Dog Tournament on Aug 20-21, 2022. The Dog Sports Open is a unique biting sports dog show which features obedience, environmental agility and personal protection exercises. To learn more, click here.
UAD Dock Jumping7 Splashes, Fetch-It, Catch-It, Chase-It on Aug 26-28, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Shed HuntSeptember 17-18, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Nosework Two trials EACH day on Oct 15-16, 2022 offering 2 elements each trial. For more information, click here.
UAD Dock Jumping 7 Splashes, Fetch-It, Catch-It, Chase-It on July 22-24, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Dock Jumping 6 Splashes and Fetch-It on August 5-7, 2022. For more information, click here.
Dog Sports Open Personal Protection Dog Tournament on Aug 20-21, 2022. The Dog Sports Open is a unique biting sports dog show which features obedience, environmental agility and personal protection exercises. To learn more, click here.
UAD Dock Jumping7 Splashes, Fetch-It, Catch-It, Chase-It on Aug 26-28, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Shed HuntSeptember 17-18, 2022. For more information, click here. UKC Nosework Two trials EACH day on Oct 15-16, 2022 offering 2 elements each trial. For more information, click here.
Our customers love us
- "I can't say enough good things about Cher Car Kennels! The facilities are great. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Obedience classes & Boarding are top notch! This is the only place I'll take my dog!"Stephanie Hirsch
- "The obedience class was worth every penny and then some. I picked Cher Car because of their experience with Shepherds! I couldn't be happier with the results in my GSD after training and the information I learned while in class. I would highly recommend Cher Car to anyone who wants to learn how to train their dog. I will likely attend more classes with Meeko. Thank you ladies!!!!"Melissa Dinkens
- "My wife and I were lucky enough to pick up our little Duchess today from Cher Car Kennels. Duchess is a gorgeous GSD and we feel fortunate to have been able to get her from Cheryl and company!! Cheryl, Lori and Carol were absolutely incredible and took as much time with us as we needed to feel ready to take our little girl home to meet the pack. What a great day with these ladies. Their expertise in every aspect of this process is quite unique and excellent. We can't thank you enough and look forward to seeing you for training this fall. Just a top notch organization of dog lovers!"John Sebring