Maisy
About 6 years old • Border Collie X Terrier
Nemo
About 7 years old • Border Collie X
Collie is a broad term covering a family of British herding breeds, including the Rough Collie made famous by Lassie, the Smooth Collie, the Bearded Collie and the working Border Collie, as well as the many collie crosses common in Australian rescue. What they share is herding ancestry, which usually means intelligence, sensitivity and a wish to work and bond closely with their people.
Because the group is so varied, size, coat and energy differ a great deal, but most collies and collie crosses are clever, trainable dogs that need exercise and mental stimulation to be content. Browse the collies and collie crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales, and read each dog’s foster notes, as the individual matters more than the collie label.
Common Collie health concerns
Breed-associated conditions worth asking any rescue about before you adopt. A good rescue will already know whether a dog has been assessed for these.
Collie eye anomaly
An inherited eye malformation common across the Collie varieties; a DNA test identifies carriers and affected dogs.
Source: VCA →MDR1 drug sensitivity
A gene common in Collie lines makes some everyday drugs dangerous; a DNA test changes which medications are safe.
Source: VCA →Progressive retinal atrophy
A hereditary eye disease that gradually causes blindness; DNA testing is available.
Source: VCA →Editorial summary for adopters, not medical advice. Ask the rescue about a specific dog's health, and consult your vet for individual guidance.
Get notified when a Collie is listed
We will email you when a Collie or Collie cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Collie?
If you can no longer keep your Collie, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Collie Adoption FAQ
Tap a question to expand.
How many Collies are available for adoption in Sydney?
As of October 2026, 4 Collies are available for adoption in Sydney across 2 rescues on LocalPetFinder. Listings are refreshed regularly as dogs are adopted and new ones arrive, browse the current Collies above and apply directly through the rescue.
Where can I adopt a Collie near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Collies available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Collies above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Collie rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Collies and Collie crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Collies available near you.
Where can I adopt a Collie puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Collie puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Collies in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Collie crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "collie puppies sydney" or "collie puppies for sale", browse the Collies above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Collies for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Collie here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "collie for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Collie in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Collie costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Collie is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What counts as a collie?
Collie is an umbrella term for several related British herding breeds, including the long-coated Rough Collie, the Smooth Collie, the shaggy Bearded Collie and the working Border Collie, plus countless collie crosses. They share herding ancestry and the intelligence and sensitivity that come with it. If you are after a specific type, we also have dedicated Border Collie and Rough Collie pages. Ask the rescue which type or cross a particular dog is.
What is a collie’s temperament and exercise need?
Most collies are intelligent, sensitive and eager to work, forming close bonds with their family. Exercise needs vary by type, but most want a good daily walk plus training, games or a dog activity to use their clever minds, with the working Border Collie needing the most. Under-stimulated collies can become anxious or develop herding behaviours. Reward-based training suits their sensitive nature.
How much grooming does a collie need?
It depends on the coat. The Rough and Bearded Collies have long coats that need brushing several times a week to prevent mats, while the Smooth Collie and many crosses are much easier. Most shed, more during seasonal coat changes. Ask the rescue about the individual dog’s coat and grooming needs. A rescue collie arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked.