Australian Shepherds in Montreal, right now
We're currently tracking 1 adoptable Australian Shepherd in or near Montreal, listed by 1 rescue including Montreal SPCA. Listings update regularly, and most Australian Shepherds in Montreal get adopted within days of being posted — if one catches your eye, reach out fast.
Adopting a Australian Shepherd in Quebec
Australian Shepherds come into Quebec rescue steadily, usually as adolescents. Like the Border Collie, they are herding dogs bought on looks, and the surrender tends to happen once the drive arrives and the household discovers what a working dog actually asks for.
Drive, herding, and adolescence
Aussies need real daily exercise plus mental work, and the mental half is what most owners miss. A long run leaves you with a fit dog that is still looking for a job. Training, scent work, agility and structured tasks are what actually settle them. Without it they become anxious, noisy and destructive, and they herd whatever is available, usually children or bicycles.
The hardest period is roughly eight to eighteen months. A dog surrendered at that age is generally normal rather than damaged, and a structured routine through adolescence makes the difference. They are also sensitive and do best with reward-based training rather than heavy correction.
The MDR1 question, and merle
Australian Shepherds carry the MDR1 gene mutation at high rates, which affects how the dog processes several common drugs, including some parasite treatments and anaesthetics. A dog with the mutation can be seriously harmed by an ordinary dose. It is a simple cheek-swab test and the result should be on the file and given to your vet. Ask the rescue whether it has been done.
Merle coats are common in the breed and carry a caution: two merle parents can produce double-merle puppies with serious sight and hearing defects. If you are adopting an adult with a lot of white and merle, ask what the rescue has observed about vision and hearing. Hip dysplasia and eye conditions also appear.
What adopting a dog in Quebec actually involves
Quebec dog rescue runs through a handful of regional shelters rather than a dense network of breed-specific groups. The Montreal SPCA is the largest, and the SPA de la Mauricie in Trois-Rivières and the SPA de l’Estrie in Sherbrooke carry most of the rest. Expect the process to run primarily in French, including listings and application forms, even where staff are bilingual. Say at first contact if you would rather work in English, and ask for the adoption contract in a language you can read before signing.
Housing is the step rescues care most about. Most Quebec households rent, often in a plex or a walk-up, and the shortage of rentals that accept animals is one of the reasons shelters cite most often for surrender. Get your landlord’s permission in writing before you apply. One piece of local context worth knowing: since 2015, animals in Quebec are not property. Article 898.1 of the Code civil du Québec describes them as sentient beings with biological needs, which is the backdrop to how rescues here write their contracts.
Looking more broadly? Browse every adoptable dog across the province on Dog Adoption Quebec.
The rescues that most often list Australian Shepherds across Quebec are SPA de la Mauricie, SPA de l'Estrie, and SPCA Laurentides-Labelle. For breed-specific background, the Canadian Kennel Club is a useful reference.
Australian Shepherd Adoption FAQ — Montreal
How many Australian Shepherds are available for adoption in Montreal?
As of August 2026, Australian Shepherds are rare in Montreal rescue — only 1 is listed right now across 1 rescue on LocalPetFinder. They tend to get adopted fast, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to find one.
Where can I adopt a Australian Shepherd near me in Quebec?
LocalPetFinder gathers adoptable Australian Shepherds from the Quebec organizations we track, including the Montreal SPCA, the SPA de la Mauricie in Trois-Rivières and the SPA de l’Estrie in Sherbrooke, into one list. Quebec dog inventory is small compared with its cat inventory, so this list moves and it is worth checking back or setting an alert rather than assuming nothing is available.
What is MDR1 and why does it matter for Australian Shepherds?
MDR1 is a gene mutation, common in Aussies and other herding breeds, that impairs how the dog clears certain drugs from the brain. A dog carrying it can be seriously harmed by an ordinary dose of some parasite treatments, sedatives and anaesthetics. Testing is a simple cheek swab. Ask whether the dog has been tested and make sure the result reaches your vet before any procedure.
Do Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise?
Yes, and crucially it cannot all be physical. This is a herding breed built to work all day under direction, so running alone produces a fit dog that is still mentally unemployed and still looking for a job. Plan on real daily training, scent games or dog sport alongside the exercise. Without it Aussies become anxious and destructive and start herding children and bicycles.
What is the difference between a Standard, Mini, and Toy Australian Shepherd?
The Standard Australian Shepherd is the recognized breed. The Miniature (now its own breed, the Mini American Shepherd) and the Toy Aussie are smaller versions bred down in size, popular but not the same registered breed. All come in the striking Aussie colours: blue merle, red merle, black, and red, usually with copper and white points. Breeding two merle dogs together can produce double-merle puppies with a high risk of deafness and blindness, so merle-to-merle breeding is a real welfare concern. Size aside, every Aussie needs serious daily exercise and a job.
How much does it cost to adopt an Australian Shepherd in Montreal?
Adopting an Australian Shepherd in Montreal typically costs $300 to $700, and puppies usually carry a premium at $500 to $900. The exact fee varies by rescue, and older dogs are often reduced. That fee is not a purchase price. It covers work already done on the dog: spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and a basic vet workup, which would cost several hundred dollars more if you arranged it yourself after buying. Buying the same breed from a registered breeder generally runs well over $1,000, usually with a waitlist. Ask the rescue what is included before you apply, since a few include extras like a starter bag of food or a first-month insurance trial.
Are these Australian Shepherds for sale in Montreal?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Australian Shepherd here comes from a Montreal-area rescue or shelter, not a breeder, pet store, or classified seller. Adoption fees are typically a few hundred dollars and already include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip, versus roughly $2,000 to $5,000+ to buy an Australian Shepherd from a breeder. If you searched "australian shepherd for sale Montreal," adopting gets you a healthy, vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Australian Shepherd in Montreal, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable Australian Shepherd breeder typically charges $2,000 to $5,000+ and often has a waitlist, while a rescue Australian Shepherd 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 frequently backyard breeders or puppy-mill resellers with unvetted, sometimes sick animals and no health guarantee. If you do buy, insist on meeting the parents, seeing where the litter was raised, and getting vet records. For most Montreal families, adopting a rescue Australian Shepherd is cheaper, faster, and gives a dog in need a home.
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