How to Post a Border Collie Wanted Ad and Get Replies in the United States
To post a Border Collie wanted ad that gets real replies in the United States, say exactly what you want (puppy or adult, working or companion lines, rough or smooth coat, sex and must-haves), describe your home and daily routine honestly, and give a realistic budget and your area. Before you commit to any reply, see the dog, its records and a safe way to pay.
Good breeders, rescues and owners place Border Collies carefully, so an ad that shows you understand the breed's drive gets better answers. The sections below cover choosing the kind of Border Collie, wording the ad, budgeting, posting and sorting genuine replies from scams.
Key points
- Decide on the dog's job first: a stock dog, a sport partner and a family companion call for different lines and energy levels.
- Describe your routine; PetMD says a Border Collie needs at least one to two hours of exercise a day.
- Budget realistically: PetMD puts a breeder puppy at typically $750 to $3,000, while New England Border Collie Rescue's adoption fee is $450.
- Ask every breeder for hip, eye and DNA results on both parents before you pay a deposit.
Which Border Collie should your wanted ad ask for?
- Puppy or adult. With a puppy you train from scratch and guess at adult drive; with an adult you see its energy and habits first. Glen Highland in Virginia places Border Collies age 10 and up, a good fit for a quieter home.
- Working or AKC lines. Working-bred dogs, usually registered with the American Border Collie Association, are bred for stock work and tend to have very high drive. AKC dogs may come from show or sport homes. Say which you want, or that papers do not matter.
- Coat. The AKC standard allows a rough coat, which may vary in length, and a short smooth coat; PetMD says the breed sheds year-round.
- Size. The standard puts males at 19 to 22 inches and females at 18 to 21 inches; PetMD gives a weight of about 30 to 55 pounds.
- Color. Ask for health and temperament, not a color. The Border Collie Society of America advises against breeding merle to merle because of the health risk to the puppies.
What details make a Border Collie wanted ad work?
- What you want: age range, sex, lines, and must-haves such as good with cats or children.
- What the dog will do: hiking partner, agility, herding lessons, stock work or family life.
- Your routine: hours at home, daily exercise, who will train.
- Your home: house or apartment, fencing, children's ages, other pets.
- Your experience with Border Collies or other herding breeds.
- Your budget and how far you can travel.
A short example: Active couple in a house with a fenced yard, home most days, looking for an adult Border Collie or a puppy from health-tested parents. We hike daily and want to start agility. No children; one calm older dog. Budget up to $1,500; will travel 200 miles.
Ask for replies by message and leave your phone number out of the ad text.
What budget should a Border Collie wanted ad give?
| Route | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Breeder puppy | $750 to $3,000 | PetMD |
| Merle puppy from some breeders | Over $4,000 | PetMD |
| Breed rescue | $450 | New England Border Collie Rescue |
| Senior rescue | No adoption fee | Glen Highland |
| Shelter adoption | $50 to $300 | American Kennel Club |
| Rehomed adult | Often $50 to $150 | Adopt a Pet |
Then add the first year: by American Kennel Club estimates, spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip typically run $150 to $450, and food and vet visits several hundred dollars more each year. A puppy class typically costs $150 to $250.
How do you post a Border Collie wanted ad step by step?
- Pick Wanted as the listing type, then dogs, then Border Collie as the breed.
- Set your location so nearby owners, rescues and breeders see it.
- Write a clear title, such as Wanted: adult Border Collie for active home, and the details above.
- Add a photo of your yard, your current dog or your family outdoors, without your house number or street sign.
- Post your Border Collie wanted ad, then reply to messages promptly.
Look at current Border Collie wanted ads to see what others ask for, and save a search for Border Collie listings so you hear about new dogs. Many people also find their dog through a breeder; see how to buy a Border Collie puppy or how to adopt a Border Collie.
How do you spot scam replies to a Border Collie wanted ad?
- Ask to visit, or at least to see the dog on a live video call; for a puppy, ask to see the mother too.
- Reverse image search every photo you are sent.
- Pay by credit card where you can, which the Federal Trade Commission says gives the most protection, and never by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or a cash app.
- Walk away from extra fees for shipping, crates, insurance or vaccines that appear after you agree.
- Distrust a young puppy said to be overseas: dogs entering the US must be at least six months old and microchipped, according to the CDC.
If a reply or listing looks wrong, use the Report Scam button, and report losses to the FTC.
What should you collect before the Border Collie comes home?
- For a puppy: both parents' hip results and eye exams, as the Border Collie Society of America recommends, plus DNA results for conditions such as CEA, TNS and NCL.
- For an adult: vet records, the reason it is being rehomed, any bites, seizures or collapse during exercise, and its MDR1 status.
- A written contract or transfer note and a receipt.
- The microchip number, so you can register it in your name.
- A vet visit booked within a few days.
People who answer wanted ads have their own guide: how to respond to a Border Collie wanted ad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write in a Border Collie wanted ad?
Say what kind of Border Collie you want, what it will do each day, your home and routine, your experience, your budget and your area. The more honest the picture, the better the replies.
What does it cost to get a Border Collie in the US?
A breeder puppy typically costs $750 to $3,000, according to PetMD. Rescue fees are lower, such as $450 at New England Border Collie Rescue, and a rehomed adult often costs $50 to $150, according to Adopt a Pet.
Should I ask for a merle Border Collie?
Ask for health and temperament instead. PetMD notes some merle puppies are priced above $4,000, and the Border Collie Society of America advises against merle-to-merle breeding because of the risk to the puppies.
Is it better to ask for a puppy or an adult Border Collie?
An adult's energy and habits are already known, which often makes it the easier start for a first-time Border Collie owner. A puppy suits people with time for months of training who want to shape the dog for a sport or stock work.
How can I tell if a reply to my Border Collie wanted ad is real?
Real sellers and owners agree to a visit or live video call, share records and test results, and take payment safely at handover. Pressure, extra fees and refusal to meet are red flags.
Can a wanted ad find me a working-bred Border Collie?
Yes. Say what stock you have, your experience and whether you need ABCA papers. Working breeders will want to know the dog will be trained and used.
Helpful guides
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Border Collie Wanted" Ad in the United StatesReply through the site, find out what job the poster has in mind for a Border Collie, verify them with a video call, a vet reference and a visit, refuse overpayments and hand over in person.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Border Collie Puppy in the United StatesChoose a breeder who shows hip, eye and DNA results for both parents, decide between working and AKC lines, budget typically $750 to $3,000, and be sure you can give a Border Collie hours of work every day.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Border Collie Puppies in the United StatesTest both parents (hips, eyes and DNA), avoid merle-to-merle pairings, register the litter correctly, price within the usual range and choose buyers who can give a Border Collie daily work.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Border Collie Safely in the United StatesMeet a free Border Collie where it lives, ask why it is being given away and how it behaves with movement, children and pets, never pay fees up front, and book a vet check within days.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Border Collie for Free Without Risk in the United StatesAsk your breeder and a Border Collie rescue first, then spay or neuter, vaccinate and microchip the dog, describe its drive honestly, screen applicants hard and hand over in person with a signed agreement.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Border Collie in the United StatesApply to a Border Collie rescue or a local shelter, expect an application, home visit and meet-and-greet, budget for a fee such as NEBCR's $450, and plan daily exercise and a calm settling-in period.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Border Collie for Adoption in the United StatesEvaluate the dog first, set criteria that match its drive, charge a fee that covers its vet care, describe it honestly, screen with a home visit and sign a contract with a return clause.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Border Collie in the United StatesAsk the owner about the dog's exercise, herding habits, behavior and health, meet it at home and on a walk, collect records and the microchip transfer, and give it weeks to months to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Border Collie Responsibly in the United StatesBefore you rehome your Border Collie, try training, your breeder and breed rescues; then list it honestly, disclose behavior and health in writing, screen applicants and hand over in person.