All Dogs
Adopt a Loving Border Collie
Thank you for taking an interest in our organization and this special breed!
Under All Dogs you will find all of our current foster dogs. You can view the information and send an email to the listed contact for more information and ask questions. You must be an approved adopter in order to meet the dogs. The application process can take a couple of weeks to be completed and you are not guaranteed the dog that you are interested in. We often get multiple applications for each of our dogs and choosing the new family is entirely up to the foster home. This decision is made in the best interest of each individual dog and not based on the order in which an application arrives. Click Here for the Adoption Page.
Next In Line are dogs that are currently being relinquished and are approved to come to our rescue. However, they have not yet been placed with an approved foster family and so they are not covered by our organization’s policies. Any interest in these dogs is done so at your own risk. Please view the guidelines before inquiring.
Happy Endings are all of our dogs that have made it to their final destinations with a new FUREVER home! Take a look at all of the smiling faces that have made their journey through our ranks.
In order to adopt a dog from us, you must first submit an Adoption Application. To submit your application, you may apply online by clicking here. If you have any questions please email us at adoption@mwbcr.org.
Thank you for considering rescue first, and for opening your heart and home to a Border Collie in need.
Meet Our Available Border Collies
They are waiting for your love.
Molly
Age: 2 years
Breed: Border Collie Mix
Sex: Female
Weight: 30 lbs
Energy Level: Low to Moderate
I am Molly. I came into the MWBCR 1/17 after being found down south roaming the great outdoors. I am a shy and nervous girl but once we get to know each other I open up and bond quickly with my person. I do bark at noises that startle me and when people come home until I know everything is okay. In true Border Collie fashion I am eager to please and learn the life of a dog.
Toys are something I am unfamiliar with, my foster mom is working on enrichment activities to introduce toys and balls. I am very treat motivated though and have learned some basic commands already such as sit, down, paw and sit pretty! In my day to day I am very happy to be at your feet, relaxing and love to run and play in the back yard. I don't understand how to fetch a ball or what you are supposed to do with that - my foster mom keeps throwing it but I don't understand the excitement in running after it.
I am doing quite well potty training and am already crate trained, I enjoy my crate and stay quiet until you are ready to start the day!
Molly is very nervous around strangers, a bit more timid with men and men with hats on. She will bark and cower until she knows that she is safe and seeks confirmation from her person (AKA Foster mom) that everything is okay, once she does she will relax.
Her ideal home is quietand with someone who can help Molly build her confidence, independence and learn that playing is in fact fun!
Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Contact: Shelly, herdingdogs4life@gmail.com
Cosmo
Age: 4 months
Breed: Border Collie
Sex: Male
Weight: 20 lbs
Energy Level: High
Meet Cosmo! Cosmo is a very friendly Border Collie who loves his toys and has lots of energy. He’s still learning how to walk on a leash and is adjusting to new things like cars and seeing other dogs, but he’s doing well with these transitions. Cosmo does best with a consistent schedule to help avoid any indoor bathroom accidents. He would be a great fit for an active home with people and/or dogs to play with and keep him engaged. Cosmo is current on vaccinations.
Location: Palos Heights, IL
Contact: seanoh25@gmail.com
Jesse
Age: 1 year
Breed: Border Collie mix
Sex: Male
Weight: 40 lbs
Energy Level: High
Jesse is a young Border Collie mix who has been settling into foster care in southeast Michigan after arriving from Kentucky. Over time, he has shown himself to be a sensitive, athletic, and deeply loyal dog who does best with structure, patience, and people willing to give him time to adjust. As he’s grown more comfortable, his personality and enthusiasm for the outdoors have really started to emerge.
Jesse is a sensitive dog who will need a few weeks to fully adjust to a new home. When faced with change, his first instinct is often to shut down and observe. With patience, consistency, and calm leadership, he builds trust and becomes deeply devoted to his people (currently enjoying life as a 40 lb. lap dog).
As his confidence has grown in foster care, Jesse’s playful, high-energy puppy personality has emerged. Once comfortable, he loves movement and is open to adventure. He now enjoys walks, runs, and even hikes, and he has done wonderfully with new experiences when given time and reassurance.
Jesse is crate-trained, sleeps quietly through the night, and does well when left alone. He is potty-trained, knows basic cues like “sit” and “no,” and is very food-motivated, making him receptive to training. Like many young herding dogs, Jesse can be nippy during play, and his foster family continues to work on appropriate play skills and redirection.
He has a strong herding instinct and has shown herding and prey-drive behaviors toward cats and young children. While he is gentle at heart, his enthusiasm and instincts can be overwhelming for small kids. Jesse would do best in a cat-free home and a home without young children, ideally with adults or older children familiar with herding breeds.
Jesse is also protective of his family in the home. He is currently working on resource guarding with his foster family and has been receptive to training, but he may always benefit from having a clearly defined space that is his own where he can decompress and feel secure. He has been comfortable meeting new people outside while on walks and doggy playdates.
Jesse recently enjoyed a doggy playdate with his foster family. He took a few minutes to observe and assess the situation, then happily joined in and clearly had a great time. He may do well with another dog in the home, especially a confident, well-balanced dog with “big brother” or “big sister” energy to help guide him.
Jesse is incredibly athletic and has an excellent nose. He may be a wonderful fit for agility, scent work, or enrichment-based classes, which would help build his confidence and strengthen his bond with his future family.
With the right home, one that understands herding breeds, values structure, and is willing to give him time, Jesse will thrive. He is loyal, sensitive, and full of promise, and once he bonds, he bonds deeply.
Neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations.
Jesse Facts
-
High-energy, athletic young dog
-
Takes time to warm up; initially shuts down, then becomes very devoted
-
Protective of his family in the home; benefits from clear boundaries and personal space
-
Quiet overall; not a frequent barker (may yip when excited about treats)
-
Food-motivated and receptive to training; No chewing tendencies observed
-
Can be nippy during play; responds to redirection
-
Loves snow, walks, runs, and hikes once comfortable
-
May do well with another dog, especially a confident role-model dog
-
Good with baths and handling
-
Herding/prey-drive behaviors toward cats and small kids → best in a cat-free home/a home without small kids
Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Contact: team@midwestbordercollierescue.org
Jillian
Age: 5 years
Breed: Border Collie mix
Sex: Female
Weight: 46 lbs
Energy Level: Moderate
Jillian update!
Jillian loves all people and will be happy in a house full of acidity or in a quieter setting-- she loves to play in the yard, hike, and go on daily trail runs, but she also has a decompression mode, happily cuddling with her foster family when it's time to relax and wind down. Jillian has improved exponentially with her behavior towards other dogs-- she is on the submissive side and after an adjustment period, now gets along really well with her border collie foster brother and sister.
When tested around chickens and cats, she exhibited a high prey drive, so Jillian will be best in a home with no cats and no access to free range livestock.
Jillian is crate trained, loves riding in a car, has excellent recall, and is improving daily with her leash manners. She is ready to meet her special forever person or family!
Jillian is current on vaccinations and is spayed.
Location: Wisconsin Dells
Contact: team@midwestbordercollierescue.org
Barney
Age: 3 years
Breed: Border Collie Mix
Sex: Male
Weight: 48 lbs
Energy Level: Moderate
Barney is a 3 year old border collie mix. He came to us on October 18th from a shelter in KY. He spent the last 8 months in the shelter and supposedly hasn't seen sun or grass in those 8 months. When he arrived there he was feral and no one could touch him because he was so shut down and scared. After gaining trust with one of the volunteers, he slowly came around and has blossomed into an incredible boy. He is a very friendly and loving dog. He loves going on walks and exploring. He is a little cautious when approaching new surroundings. He will slowly investigate and determine a course of action. He is the same when meeting new people. He loves to play with tugs and acts as if he is still a puppy.
Barney needs work with basic commands but knows "no" and "leave it". He doesn't know "heel", but he is a dream on a leash, and doesn't pull or lunge. He loves to play with people or other dogs. He has been on walks and encountered deer, cats, dogs and has had no reactions. Saw a squirrel and did want to chase it, but did not pull. He would be a perfect companion for a house with or without dogs as long as there was plenty of time for him to be with people.
Barney is up to date on vaccines, microchipped and neutered.
Get your application in on this guy ASAP as you will not want to miss out on such a sweet boy!
Location: Chicago suburbs
Contact: Stan, sgierczak@comcast.net
Milo
Age: 2 years
Breed: Border Collie
Sex: Male
Weight: 43 lbs
Energy Level: Moderate
Milo is a striking traditional black-and-white Border Collie with a refined elegance and a gentle spirit. While he may take a moment to warm up to new people, he soon reveals his affectionate nature and endearing, playful personality. As a devoted companion, Milo thrives on close connection, making him the ideal "Velcro dog" who finds true contentment by his person's side. He would do best in a home that has someone home (work from home), has a dog walker or can take him to daycare.
Milo arrived at the shelter when his previous owner, facing significant health challenges, could no longer provide the care he deserved. Fortunately, his owner invested substantial time in his training, which is evident in his current foster environment. Milo demonstrates impressive obedience, including sit, down, paw, stay, come, and additional commands we are continuing to discover. He has prior experience with clicker training and agility work, and was even trained for off-leash reliability—though we have yet to test this in a controlled setting. These skills position him as an exceptional partner for active, engaged households.
Milo exhibits exemplary house manners. He has had no accidents or marking incidents, and he efficiently completes his outdoor routines before promptly returning indoors.
He interacts harmoniously with other dogs, showing respect and deference to his foster housemates. During cat introductions at the shelter, Milo displayed indifference, and in one instance, appeared mildly cautious toward the feline.
Milo enjoys walks/runs and maintains good leash etiquette. He can become mildly enthusiastic upon spotting other dogs, an area we are addressing through ongoing positive reinforcement training. Travel poses no issue for Milo; he rides calmly and contentedly in the car, often appearing to relish these outings.
Due to his innate herding instincts, we recommend a home without children under 10 years of age to ensure a smooth transition for all.
We continue to learn more about Milo each day, so please check back for updates. If you have an approved application on file (valid for two years) or have recently submitted one for another dog, we invite you to contact tlb145@aim.com for additional details and next steps.
Location: Northeast Ohio
Contact: tlb145@aim.com
Shadow
Age: 2 years
Breed: Border Collie
Sex: Male
Weight: 51 lbs
Energy Level: Moderate
If you're looking for a dog who's got the biggest heart wrapped in a fluffy, huggable package, allow us to introduce Shadow, a super sweet boy.
This guy has had a tough start—spending way too much time cooped up in a kennel, which left him with some elbow sores (all healing up nicely now!) and a case of serious noise anxiety. In a town environment, every car horn or distant bark sends him into jumpy mode, like he's auditioning for a surprise party he didn't sign up for. But here's the magic: Take him out on quiet trails or just beyond the city limits, and he's your dream hiking partner! His foster family has been strolling those peaceful paths during camping trips, and he struts along like a pro—ears perked, tail wagging, totally in his element. Weekends away? Golden. Busy days with traffic and crowds? A work in progress, but oh, the potential!
Leash manners are another area his family is working on—he starts off like a champ, walking politely by your side, but a sudden noise can make him bolt for the safety of the car (which, fun fact: He used to dread car rides so much he needed a little chill pill, but now? He's begging for joyrides! His foster dad Dave's truck is his safe haven on wheels. 🚗💨)
He's been a total gentleman with other dogs—super passive and easygoing, letting the bossy ones (looking at you, resident Border Collie) take the lead while he chills and finds his own fun. Men? Instant fan club—his foster dad is his hero.
He's been great with kids, including toddlers! He's a little too interested in cats, so a household without them would be preferred.
Bottom line? This boy has zero formal training under his belt yet, but with patience, positive vibes, and lots of those quiet trail walks, he's going to blossom into the most loyal, affectionate companion. His foster family is totally smitten. "I've fallen in love with him," they confessed. "He just needs time to trust the world again." And trust us—he's worth every gentle step.
If you're a calm household with a yard for decompression, a love for slow-build adventures, and room in your heart (and on those trails) for a dog who's equal parts velvet cuddles and untapped explorer, could he be your guy?
Shadow is vaccinated, HW negative and neutered.
Location: NW Missouri
Contact: kelly@w5accounting.com
Buddy
Age: 2-3 years
Breed: Border Collie
Sex: Male
Weight: 35 lbs
Energy Level: Moderate
Buddy here checking in to say HELLO!
I am a 2-3 year old 45 lb TANK! I'm not a big guy - just solid muscle. I love to romp and play with my foster siblings. This snow is so fun! I even love rolling in it. I get along with both male and female dogs. I don't know about cats, but my foster mom thinks that it's a possibility I would be curious but not harmful.
I am a really good boy in the house. I am quiet - unless my foster pals bark for the amazon guy - then I bark too but when my foster mom says 'quiet', we all stop the nonsense. I'm kind of a follower - so it's really their fault that I bark! I sleep in my kennel and keep it clean, always. I have free reign of the house when they are home and am a good boy. I mostly follow my people from room to room and look for directions on what to do.
I am slowly learning what toys are and am having fun chasing them when thrown. I like moving them around the house, especially taking them to my kennel. It's a fun little game I play.
When I am tired, I like to tucker out in the living room snuggled up on a bed or up against the couch. Sometimes I also lay by my foster moms feet when she is working. I'm rather chill inside the house but like to run around and get my zoomies out when outside.
I really like my foster family but prefer the girls over the boys. My past life was awful - I don't want to talk about it but all I can say is that a not so nice man was NOT nice to me. I am working hard to trust men but I am worried I will get hurt again. My foster dad and son are really cool - they get down to my level, talk softly and kindly, take me out to play, feed me and I even get yummy treats from them that no one else gives me. Even though they are really cool - I am still a little cautious with them and just go slow.
I would love to meet you - especially if you have other dogs for me to play with! I am looking for a soft landing where I can be loved unconditionally and hope you will understand that it will take some time for me to warm up and trust you.
Fostered in Northern Ilinois
Contact: Team@midwestbordercolliesrescue.org