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Collie Dogs for Adoption in San Diego, CA

Your guide to finding and caring for a Collie in San Diego

A Collie suits a San Diego neighborhood like Tierrasanta, where canyon greenbelts make daily walks easy. Mission Trails Regional Park borders it, so leashed trail time is close by. Collies are gentle, devoted and happiest living inside with the family, though they'll bark at passing activity. The thick coat is the catch. Inland afternoons run warmer than the coast, so early walks work best. Expect plenty of brushing, and plenty of hair on the couch.

511 Collies available in San Diego and nationwide

Meet a Collie who needs you

While we don't have enough dogs near San Diego, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Collies Available for Adoption Near San Diego

About the Collie breed

The Collie began as a Scottish sheep-herding dog and was refined in Victorian Britain into the elegant dog most people picture when they think of Lassie. In the US there are two varieties of one breed: the Rough Collie with its long mane and frill, and the Smooth Collie with a short, dense coat. Both have a double coat that sheds heavily, and adults usually weigh 50 to 75 pounds.

In San Diego, a Collie's sensitive, people-focused nature suits a household that's home often and enjoys regular walks on the city's leashed canyon and park trails. Herding instincts can show up as barking or circling, and Collies vary, so get to know the dog in front of you rather than assuming. Brushing a few times a week, and more during shedding season, keeps the coat manageable.

Weight
50–75 lbs
Height
22–26 in
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Temperament
Gentle, Loyal, Intelligent, Devoted
Group
Herding
Shedding
High

Owning a Collie in San Diego

Having a Collie in San Diego

Collies pair a gentle, sensitive nature with a thick coat and a few inherited health risks. In San Diego, the coat and the sometimes warm inland weather shape daily routines most, while the dog's own personality decides how well a home fits.

Temperament

Many Collies are devoted and gentle with family, reserved with strangers and patient with kids, though every dog differs. In San Diego's apartment buildings and busy sidewalks, expect alert barking at passing people and dogs. Calm, reward-based training works well, since Collies are sensitive and can become anxious with harsh handling.

Exercise Needs

Plan on one or two good walks a day plus play in a secure area. City parks, canyons and trails require a leash of 8 feet or less, so fenced off-leash spots like Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park or Doyle Community Park give a Collie room to run. Walk early or late, since the coat holds heat.

Health Considerations

Many Collies carry the MDR1 gene mutation, which makes some drugs, including certain parasite treatments, risky, so a DNA test and a vet who knows the breed matter. Eye problems such as Collie eye anomaly, plus bloat and skin conditions, are reported. Ask your veterinarian about MDR1-safe flea, tick and heartworm prevention.

Living Space

Collies are usually calm indoors and can adapt to an apartment or a house when walks are reliable. A fenced yard helps but doesn't replace time with the family, since most Collies want to live inside. Expect hair everywhere, and alert barking at hallway and street noise, which matters in shared buildings.

What it costs to own a Collie in San Diego

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Pet insurance$65 to $130 per month$780 to $1,560
Routine vet care$250 to $500 per year$250 to $500
Other*$590 to $1,490 per year$590 to $1,490
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,280 to $4,870

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $20 San Diego dog license for a spayed or neutered dog, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning, toys and bedding, and brushing tools and baths for a heavy double coat.

Adopt a Collie in San Diego.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Collies available.

Rescues in San Diego with Collies Available

San Diego's shelters and rescues care for dogs of every size and age, from puppies to seniors. Here are the rescues & shelters in the San Diego area where you can find Collies and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually not, because of their size. MTS buses and the Trolley only allow non-service animals inside an enclosed carrier small enough to hold on your lap, and a 50-to-75-pound Collie won't fit. Service animals are always welcome. San Diego has no subway, only light rail, so plan car trips or walks for a Collie.

Yes, with some care. San Diego summers are mild, with highs near 75°F at the coast, but a Collie's thick double coat holds heat, and inland afternoons run closer to 79°F, with hotter days in September and October. Walk early or late, carry water, and brush out loose undercoat rather than shaving it.

Balboa Park has two 24-hour off-leash areas, Nate's Point and Morley Field, plus canyon trails. Mission Trails Regional Park, Tecolote Canyon and Rose Canyon suit longer walks, but leashes of 8 feet or less are required. Most beaches ban dogs during the day, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve bans them entirely.

Yes, nothing in San Diego's rules targets Collies. The practical steps are a rabies vaccination, a dog license within 30 days, and a leash whenever you're off your property. The city doesn't require spay/neuter, though unaltered dogs pay a higher license fee. Landlord approval is the likelier hurdle for renters.

Often yes, if the apartment is roomy enough and walks are reliable. Collies are calm indoors but tend to bark at hallway and street noise, which can strain neighbors. San Diego police don't respond to barking complaints, so landlords usually handle disputes. Look for a building near a canyon or park, and expect heavy shedding on carpet.

Often yes for an active household that's home a fair amount. San Diego's mild weather and leashed canyon trails suit a Collie's moderate exercise needs, and many Collies enjoy joining outings. The tradeoffs are brushing, heat on inland days and barking. Collies vary, and a dog left alone all day may struggle, so weigh your schedule.

Only on outdoor patios, and only where the restaurant chooses to allow dogs. California's food code bars pet dogs indoors, though service animals may enter. Expect to keep your Collie leashed, off chairs, and served water in disposable containers. Policies vary by restaurant, so look for posted signs, and pick a quiet corner for a dog that barks at passersby.

Plan on brushing a Rough Collie a few times a week, and daily during shedding season; a Smooth Collie needs less. San Diego's damp winter rains can mat the undercoat after canyon walks. Never shave the coat. Home brushing keeps costs within the Other line of $590–$1,490 a year, which includes baths and brushing tools.

We have 2 rescues with Collies available: Baja Dog Rescue and The Barking Lot Rescue. You can see every rescue with Collies available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Collies near San Diego.

Expect roughly $2,280 to $4,870 a year for a Collie in San Diego. That covers food at $55–$110 a month, insurance at $65–$130 a month, routine vet care at $250–$500 a year, and other costs of $590–$1,490 a year, including prevention, dental care and grooming supplies. Emergencies and illness cost extra.

Find Collies in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Collies available for adoption near San Diego.

Explore Other Breeds in San Diego

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in San Diego.