The Rough Collie is the elegant, long-coated herding dog made famous as Lassie, developed in Scotland and northern England to work sheep on the hills. Usually around 20 to 30 kilos, graceful and gentle, the Collie is known for its sweet temperament, deep loyalty and sensitivity to its people. Under the flowing coat is a clever working dog that bonds closely to family and thrives on companionship and gentle involvement in daily life.
Collies reach Sydney and NSW rescue when their coat care, their tendency to bark and herd, and their need for company are underestimated, or when a family's circumstances change. Purebred Collies appear alongside Collie crosses, and the coat and temperament of a cross vary, so the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with children, other animals and household noise matters more than the breed label.
A Rough Collie suits an owner or family who want a gentle, devoted companion and can commit to regular coat care, daily exercise and plenty of togetherness. In the right home it is one of the most affectionate and trainable of the herding breeds. Browse the Rough Collies and Collie crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
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If you can no longer keep your Rough 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 →Rough Collie Adoption Guides
The pre-adoption reading list specific to Rough Collies in Sydney and NSW.
Rough Collie Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt a Rough Collie or Collie cross in Sydney, the real costs, and the coat and gentle herding nature to plan for.
Rough Collie Health Issues to Plan For
Collie eye anomaly, the MDR1 drug-sensitivity gene, hip dysplasia and the checks every Rough Collie owner should plan for.
Rough Collie Temperament & Family Life in Sydney
What living with a sensitive, gentle, sometimes vocal Rough Collie is really like, and how one fits a Sydney family.
Rough Collie Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Rough Collie near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Rough 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 Rough Collies above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Rough Collie rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Rough Collies and Rough 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 Rough Collies available near you.
Are these Rough Collies for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Rough 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 "rough collie for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Rough 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 Rough 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 Rough Collie is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Rough Collies have?
The Collie has a few breed-specific things to plan for. Collie eye anomaly is an inherited condition of the eye that reputable breeders screen for, and the breed can also carry the MDR1 gene, which makes some herding dogs sensitive to certain common medications, so it is worth telling your vet the dog is a Collie and asking about a simple DNA test. Hip dysplasia and some other eye conditions can also occur. A rescue Collie arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted. Ask your vet about eye checks and MDR1 testing.
Are Rough Collies good family dogs?
Yes, they are one of the classic family dogs, gentle, patient and deeply bonded to their people, which is exactly the Lassie reputation. They tend to be good with children and other animals when raised and socialised well, though the herding instinct can show up as gathering or gentle nudging, and they can be sensitive to a loud or chaotic household. Reward-based training suits their soft nature far better than harsh correction. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other pets in foster or shelter care.
How much grooming does a Rough Collie need?
A fair amount, because the long double coat with its dense mane and feathering needs brushing several times a week to prevent matting, especially behind the ears, on the legs and around the trousers, plus more during seasonal coat drops. Never shave the double coat, as it protects against both heat and sun, and the right approach in a Sydney summer is keeping the undercoat well brushed out so air can circulate. Keep the feet, nails, ears and teeth tidy, and dry the coat thoroughly after baths to avoid skin problems in the humidity.
How much exercise does a Rough Collie need?
A moderate amount for a large herding breed: a good daily walk plus some play, training and time with the family usually keeps a Collie happy, as they are more about companionship than extreme exercise. They enjoy having a job and do well with training and dog sports. In a Sydney summer, exercise in the cool of the early morning or evening, carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas, checking through the thick coat by hand.